State Rep. Curt Nisly will have a challenger in the Republican primary this spring.

Kimberly Cates, of Syracuse, filed Thursday to run against Nisly for the 22nd House seat.

Cates, in her first full year as a Kosciusko County Council member, announced her intentions to run  for the statehouse post Tuesday.

Cates said she is committed to supporting local government and engaging constituents to build stronger communities, according to a news release issued Tuesday.

Cates grew up in Warsaw and resides in Syracuse. She has experience in small business ownership and economic development, which she said motivates her to work for a strong local government with local controls.

Cates said she is passionate about improving infrastructure, providing job training and creating affordable housing.

“I will make it a priority to emphasize frugal local government control, because I believe no one knows the needs of this district better than the people who live here,” said Cates. “Our community is built on family values, and we will be most successful when we build on those values to initiate change to benefit the people in our area.”

She also wants to help fight the opioid crisis.

As a committee member on the Community Opioid “Call to Action” Team, Cates fully supports Gov. Eric Holcomb in his work to end the opioid crisis.

Cates also supports Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill in his Jail “Drug Rehabilitation” program.

Cates is an active member of the pro-life movement, supporting Right to Life, Susan B. Anthony List and the Heartline Pregnancy Center in Warsaw.

She is a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association.

She has been a Republican Convention delegate four times, a precinct chair for more than 10 years and served as president of Turkey Creek Township Fire Territory for six years.

Cates describes herself as an effective and experienced negotiator on behalf of local government.

“I am committed to creating strong communities in our district, bringing people and ideas together, and continually improving our area to make it the best place to live and work. I will dedicate myself full time to the goals of our district,” Cates says.

Cates was chosen by a Republican caucus in the summer of 2017 to fill the seat left after Kosciusko County Council President Bob Sanders died unexpectedly.

Nisly was first elected in 2014 following a primary battle against Rebecca Kubacki, who was first elected in 2010 when she defeated longtime State Rep. William Ruppel.