Montana state Rep. Franke Wilmer (D) is moving toward a bid for Sen. John Walsh’s (D-Mont.) seat less than a day after Walsh announced he’s dropping his campaign.

{mosads}Wilmer, who lost a 2012 House primary, is a Montana State University professor and favorite of some progressive activists in the state. She’d face long odds of defeating Rep. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), who has run a strong campaign and led Walsh by large margins in recent polling.

“If I have Democrats [sic.] support I will come out swinging and won’t stop; I’d not only be the first woman running for this seat, but also possibly the most qualified senate candidate since Mike Mansfield,” Wilmer wrote Friday morning in a Facebook post. “My main qualification? I am not a multi multi millionaire who thinks creationism should be taught in science classes.”

Wilmer concedes in the post that she faces a tough path ahead if she gets the nomination.

“I know first hand what a long shot it is and how much hard work it will take and beating Daines in a few debates, landing a few punches in the campaign, and firing up voters to turnout is also worth it,” she said.

Democrats are scrambling to find a replacement for Walsh, and their best chance at holding the seat — former Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer (D) — once again said he won’t run for the Senate Thursday evening.