RALEIGH, (SGRToday.com) - She lost to Republican Dan Forest in 2012, but Democrat Linda Coleman says she will challenge the Lt. Governor for his seat in 2016.

Coleman, a former state senator and county commissioner, will have to secure the nomination of her party before taking on Forest, who says he will run for re-election.

In a statement, Coleman went after Forest.

"My opponent has eagerly cheered on an ideological agenda that has hurt middle-class families, rendered public education unrecognizable and gutted women's access to health care," the statement said.

Forest is known for conducting a robust grassroots campaign in 2012. He says education is one of his top priorities.