As Jim O'Toole signaled last week, state Rep. Chelsa Wagner has formally announced her run for Allegheny County Controller.

In a letter to Democratic committee members she wrote, "As residents of Allegheny County, we know that our government is in the midst of the most tumultuous time in recent history. The need for government oversight couldn't be greater and the election for County Controller is the best opportunity for the voters to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent appropriately and government operates efficiently."

Full statement after the jump.

PITTSBURGH, PA -- Today, Representative Chelsa Wagner (D-Brookline) announced that she is a candidate for Allegheny County Controller in 2011, in a letter mailed to all members of the Allegheny County Democratic Committee.

Wagner, who was first elected to the House in 2006, currently represents Pennsylvania's 22nd District, whichstretches from Whitehall in the south suburbs to Manchester in the Northside of Pittsburgh. She is currently the only female member of the Allegheny County Delegation.

In her district, Wagner has been an effective advocate for her constituents, Allegheny County, and the region - by focusing on job creation, transportation, and community revitalization. In Harrisburg, she has fought for government reform, includingending pay-to-play politics and decreasing the size of State government.

Prior to being elected, Chelsa worked as a policy analyst reforming large state and municipal governments and later as an attorney in private practice. She is a graduate of the University of Chicago and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

In her letter to fellow Democrats officially announcing her candidacy, Representative Wagner stated:

"As residents of Allegheny County, we know that our government is in the midst of the most tumultuous time in recent history. The need for government oversight couldn't be greater and the election for County Controller is the best opportunity for the voters to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent appropriately and government operates efficiently.

Yet, with deepening budget deficits and looming property tax reassessments, the challenge is not only how we make ends meet to address our short-term needs, but also how we position ourselves for the future. The county controller must not merely shine light on what is wrong; She must also lead and take action to find what is right."