Nicholas Kristof, a journalist and two-time Pulitzer winner, announced that he will be entering the political space of western US state Oregon and would run for Governor’s office in the upcoming elections, according to US media reports.

Kristof has also worked as a reporter and columnist for the New York Times and quit his job just days before the announcement. According to reports from Associated Press, Kristof grew up in the state of Oregon on a sheep and cherry farm.

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Kristof– who is 62 years old– left the newspaper earlier this month, wrote frequently about the economic and social problems of the people he grew up in Oregon as the region’s manufacturing and timber economy faced hardships.

The journalist turned politician will be entering Oregon’s race for the Governor’s office as a member of the Democratic party.

In his announcement, Kristof said, “Nothing will change until we stop moving politicians up the career ladder year after year, even though they refuse to step up to the problems Oregon faces”, according to reports from ABC News. 

He added, “It’s time to do something about a system that’s rigged against so many ordinary Oregonians.”

Oregon’s gubernatorial elections, which are scheduled for May next year, are already a crowded place. Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek and state Treasurer Tobias Read have already announced their candidacy. 

According to reports from ABC News, at least six members of the Democratic party and nine Republicans have announced their willingness for the elections.

“It was hard to leave a job I loved, but it’s even harder to watch your home state struggle when you feel you can make a difference on issues like homelessness, education and good jobs,” Kristof said on his social media handles.

Kristof was raised in Yamhill, Oregon, a town of about 1,200 people about 40 miles (64 kilometers) southwest of Portland, and went on to become a foreign correspondent and columnist.

Kate Brown — also a Democrat– is the current Governor of Oregon but will not be eligible to make an attempt at retaining the office due to term limits.