Longtime State Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks declared her run for Congress and became the first challenger in the District One race. The Democrat hopes to face off against Republican incumbent Jeff Fortenberry.Right now, the current congressman is charged with multiple federal felonies and experts say the case could impact his campaign. Pansing Brooks announcement comes as no surprise to political experts.They say many factors will come into play for this election.“We have so much that we can give here in Nebraska," Pansing Brooks said.The state senator officially kicked off her campaign for Nebraska’s First Congressional District Monday.“We need health care for all, access to affordable child care, living wages for all workers,” she said. “This includes support for development, for enhanced infrastructure, educational opportunities and economic development for our native people through health care."The Democrat said she's the bi-partisan leader Nebraska needs in Washington. She adds her record in the unicameral proves it."The legislature has passed 56 bills that I have introduced,” Pansing Brooks said.She takes on incumbent Republican Jeff Fortenberry who's held the seat since 2005.His team sent a statement Monday: "Jeff Fortenberry has faithfully and effectively served Nebraska and America in congress and will ask the voters to re-elect him in 2022 to continue that work. The contrast will be very clear: Patty Pansing Brooks will faithfully advance Joe Biden’s agenda and have to explain a chaotic economy, overrun border, and dangerous foreign policy."Creighton political science professor Rick Witmer said the race will be one to watch."You’ve got an incumbent who’s in a fairly safe district, had a little bit of a challenge last time but scandal seems to be a way to bring out challengers," Witmer said.Witmer said Fortenberry's federal indictment could mean trouble for him."For voters, they’ll have to take a second look and say what’s going on. It muddies the water a little bit, so that's when you see a quality challenger emerge,” Witmer said.The state’s redistricting could also present a challenge.The congressional redistricting will keep Douglas county whole and add Saunders and western Sarpy County to District Two. Bellevue and Lincoln stay in the first district, part of an eight-county region along with northeast Polk County.“Even for safe incumbents, their vote totals may drop a little bit because some of their voters don't know who they are. They’ll have to get out and establish contact," Witmer said.Witmer said Democrats will also face an uphill battle, common when one party is in power.But he adds right now, it's too early to call."If everything is cleared up by then he (Fortenberry) should have fairly smooth sailing. If he's still embroiled in it in some way I think folks will know that when it comes time to vote and that could have an effect,” Witmer said.Fortenberry and his team have repeatedly said the charges against him are unfounded.Right now, just the two have announced a bid for Nebraska’s first district seat.Of note, the 2020 race between Fortenberry and Kate Bolz was decided by around 70,000 votes.