Sprague Republican Registrar of Voters Barbara Richardson Crouch announced plans to challenge two-term incumbent Democratic Sen. Cathy Osten for the 19th state Senate district.

Crouch has filed paperwork with the state Elections Enforcement Commission to form “Crouch for Senate” campaign committee.

Crouch could not be reached for comment Thursday. In a press release Thursday announcing her candidacy, Crouch criticized Osten, who also serves as Sprague first selectwoman, for her support of “one of the largest tax increases in Connecticut history” last year, saying the tax increase “directly contributed” to the current state budget crisis.

“As a taxpayer, an active member of the community, and as a mother, I can no longer sit back and watch as this administration’s policies drive jobs and opportunity out of the state,” Crouch said in the press release.

Crouch serves as Republican registrar of voters in Sprague and is an educator at Goodwin College.

“The issues facing this state can be overcome,” Crouch said. “We need to restore fiscal sanity and create an environment in which businesses of all sizes can thrive. Only then will families feel secure living in and moving to Connecticut,” she said in the press release.

Osten plans to seek re-election, and has filed the campaign committee “Osten 2016.”

The 19th state Senate District encompasses Ledyard, Montville, Norwich, Lisbon, Sprague, Franklin, Lebanon, Columbia, Hebron and Marlborough.