Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has announced her candidacy for a full term in next year's elections, saying she'll be the strong leader the state needs to tackle its budget crisis.

Brewer said during a Thursday news conference in her hometown of Glendale that some of the spending cuts being imposed to close the state's budget shortfalls aren't easy. But she said "tough times call for a tough leader."

She also pledged to take on all the big challenges _ ranging from health care to transportation.

Brewer earlier Thursday filed organizational paperwork to launch her campaign.

She was Arizona's elected secretary of state when she became governor in January. She replaced Democrat Janet Napolitano, who resigned midway through her second term to take the top spot at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

PHOENIX (AP) _ Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer is running for a full term in next year's elections.

Her campaign filed organizational paperwork Thursday morning with the Secretary of State's Office.

Brewer plans to formally announce her candidacy during a news conference late Thursday in her hometown of Glendale, Ariz.

Brewer is an ex-legislator and former county supervisor who was serving as Arizona's elected secretary of state when she was elevated to the governor's office in January.

Democrat Janet Napolitano resigned midway through her second term to join the Obama administration as homeland security secretary.

Since becoming governor, Brewer's time in office has been dominated by the state's budget crisis.