NORTH CAROLINA -- A new face is joining the race for U.S. Senate in 2020.
State Senator Erica Smith made the announcement Saturday night in a series of tweets.
Smith has previously worked as an engineer, a minister and a high school teacher.
The Democrat is in her third term, and she was the first woman to be elected in her district, which includes Beaufort, Bertie, Martin, Northampton, Vance and Warren Counties.
The seat she's running for is currently held by Republican Thom Tillis.