DALLAS — Former Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez announced Thursday that she is running for her old position.

Valdez left the job in 2017 to run for governor. She lost to Gov. Greg Abbott.

“I have had numerous calls from my former colleagues and friends asking me if I would consider running again for sheriff,” said Valdez. “I am honored with their encouragement and look forward to a lively campaign. There is still much work to do in Dallas County, and as I have told my supporters and campaign team, I am not done yet.”

If she wins, this would be Valdez’s fifth term as sheriff. 

“My experience leading the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office taught me that working with other community leaders is essential to solve issues with our criminal justice system here in Dallas County,” Valdez said. “I was very proud to work with the leaders of the City of Dallas, Parkland Hospital, City Square, and many others to help tackle issues like chronic homelessness. Sometimes it takes the leaders of a village to make things happen.”

Valdez is the daughter of migrant farmworkers and the youngest child in a family of 10. Valdez put herself through college to earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Southern Nazarene University. Later, while working as a federal agent, she completed her master’s degree in criminology and criminal justice from UT-Arlington.

As a federal agent and sometimes undercover, Lupe investigated fraud and abuse in the United States and money laundering from criminal organizations in South America.

She was first elected sheriff in 2004. Valdez was the only Latina sheriff in the United States and one of very few LGBTQ Americans in public office.