LAFAYETTE - Lt. Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco made official what has been common knowledge.

She is running for governor.

Blanco, an Iberia Parish native who grew up in Coteau and New Iberia, made her formal announcement Tuesday at a rally in the Cajundome Convention Center.

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In a February interview with The Daily Iberian, Blanco said she was waiting for a resolution in the nation's standoff with Iraq before officially announcing her candidacy.

As lieutenant governor, Blanco is already the second-highest elected official in state government. She now joins a field of five other Democrats and nine Republicans who have officially declared their candidacy for the governor's office.

The two-term lieutenant governor returned to her home base to make her official announcement that she will be vying to replace Gov. Mike Foster, who is barred from running for a third consecutive term.

Blanco said Tuesday that a vote for her is a vote to "move forward boldly towards a better future with better schools and better jobs."

The first part of Blanco's plan is increased investment and accountability in schools.

That means modern learning tools for students, focused attention on failing schools and increased teacher pay.

"My anger rises every time I see the billboard in Jefferson Parish where the state of Texas is trying to recruit our teachers by telling them they can make $40,000 just one state away," said Blanco, 60, a former teacher.

Blanco said her administration would also focus on improving health care.

As governor, she would work with small businesses to develop affordable employee insurance programs.

On the issue of transportation, Blanco said she would see through the completion of Interstate 49 and develop Louisiana's highways, airports and seaports to create better international trade opportunities.

Finally, Blanco said she would work to make the state more business-friendly.

Too many young people have had to leave the state seeking better job opportunities elsewhere.

"I want to be known as the governor who created opportunity here in Louisiana so that our children are not forced into other states seeking their place in the world," she said.

"I really want to be known as the governor who brought our children home."

For the past eight years as lieutenant governor, Blanco has served as the state's tourism ambassador to the rest of the country and the world.

In that time, tourism has grown from a $6.5 billion to a $9 billion industry, she said.

Blanco represented the Lafayette area in the state House of Representatives before becoming the first woman elected to the Public Service Commission, where she rose to be the first woman chair.

The primary election will be Oct. 4 with a runoff scheduled for November.