DALLAS (TIP): Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez will resign her office, so she can challenge Greg Abbott in 2018, according to Dallas County Democratic Chair, Carol Donovan.

Valdez has talked about the need for new leadership at the state level.

She was even a featured speaker at the 2016 democratic national convention in Philadelphia.

Donovan told WFAA that Valdez will resign effective next Friday Dec. 8. The deadline to file to be a candidate is December 11.

Dallas County Sherriff’s office on Wednesday night said that Valdez has not submitted any official resignation paperwork and will make a final decision about her political future shortly.

Valdez, 70, is in her fourth term as Dallas County Sheriff.