And so it begins ...

U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton may have his first challenger in next year's elections.

Pueblo resident and self-decribed entrepreneaur and publisher, Tisha Casida, said she will announce her independent bid for the seat on Friday.

The 29-year-old Casida says her committment to the free-market system and "fidelity to the Constitution" will set her apart from Tipton and other candidates.

"As part of the generation now inflicted with massive debt because I have seen and felt the economic consequences of out-of-control spending and fiscal irresponsibility," she says in a statement. "I am running for Colorado's third congressional district, not for the power hungry politicians in D.C. I am running for the small business owners, the families, the grandparents and the youth of this District. I want to bring jobs, prosperity, and a bright future back to Colorado."

Her announcement will be made from 4-7 p.m. Friday at The Historic Federal Building, 421 N. Main Street, Pueblo Colorado.

For more information, go to her website at www.casida2012.com.