Prominent advocate for North Korean human rights Suzanne Scholte has announced her candidacy for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District in a race that may, win or lose, bring more attention to the causes she has promoted.

Scholte is running as a Republican, and is seeking office in the district currently held by Democrat Gerry Connolly, a three-term incumbent.

Scholte has spent nearly 25 years as president of the Defense Forum Foundation, and also serves as vice co-chair of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK). She has also been active in human rights issues