Elizabeth Dole files for Helms' Senate seat

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Elizabeth Dole has filed paperwork signaling her candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat held by Sen. Jesse Helms, R-North Carolina, who is retiring.

"It's official; she's a candidate," said Jay Warshaw, strategist and consultant for her campaign in North Carolina.

Dole, former president of the American Red Cross and a Cabinet secretary in two presidential administrations, was born and raised in North Carolina.

She emerged as the favorite GOP candidate to replace Helms shortly after the five-term senator announced he would not seek re-election in 2002.

Dole, the wife of 1996 GOP presidential nominee Bob Dole, had planned a formal announcement September 11 in her hometown of Salisbury, North Carolina, but canceled her press conference after the terrorist attacks that day.

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The next day, September 12, Dole signed a statement of candidacy filed with the secretary of the Senate.

Dole still plans a formal campaign announcement in "a month or two," Warshaw said.

"We are in the planning stages right now of getting out around the state -- try to make it to all 100 counties before January."