The former chairwoman of the Maine Republican Party filed paperwork this week to challenge U.S. Sen. Angus King for his seat in November.

Demi Kouzounas, a dentist who practices in Skowhegan and Scarborough, registered with the Federal Election Commission to be a candidate, alongside King, an independent, and Democrat David Costello, according to online campaign finance data.

News of Kouzounas’ run circulated last week after she told WLOB radio host Ray Richardson that U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, a fellow Republican, asked her to run.

“We chitchatted for a little bit and then she said OK now I’m going to ask you something and she put it on the line,” Kouzounas said during the Jan. 19 show. “I said to her give me a week.”

Kouzounas said she checked with the dental practices where she works part-time and consulted with her family before making a final decision.

“To have a senator go unopposed I think is terrible,” she said. “And I think we need a woman’s vote.”

King, 79, a former two-term governor who caucuses with Democrats, is seeking his third Senate term.

Six years ago, King earned 54% of the vote, with Republican Eric Brakey garnering 35% and Democrat Zak Ringelstein getting just 10%.

So far, King has $2.2 million in campaign funds with $1.5 million cash on hand, according to reports current through Sept. 30. Costello has $49,000 in total receipts, with $41,089 in cash on hand through Dec. 31.

Although Kouzounas has registered, she has not yet reported any receipts. She told Richardson she’ll launch her campaign in the coming weeks and she did not respond to interview requests from Spectrum News.

Kouzounas served as state Republican Party chairwoman until early 2023, when the party replaced her following a disappointing November election showing.