Democrat Missa Eaton of Sharon, Mercer County, today announced her bid for Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District.

Eaton, 48, will be facing incumbent U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, a Butler Republican. He was elected in 2010.

Eaton, who has been in education for more than 15 years, is an assistant professor of psychology at Penn State Shenango in Sharon.

“I have seen first-hand the effect of the recession on people in Northwestern Pennsylvania. My students struggle to locate good-paying jobs in their fields. Seniors struggle with the choice between their medicines and their living expenses. Our small businesses need economic development support to survive and thrive,” Eaton said in a statement.

“I’m running for congress because the people of the 3rd District of Pennsylvania deserve a representative in Washington D.C. who will keep their real interests at the forefront.

“It’s time for all of us to work hard for recovery, including education for our children, protection of our seniors’ benefits, and the wise use of our natural resources.”

Earlier in her career, Eaton worked in a wide range of roles including retail and real estate.

Eaton lives with her husband, John. They have one adult daughter.