ATTLEBORO - State elections are still months away, but three local politicians announced Monday they will be candidates for the state Legislature this fall.

Former Attleboro City Councilor Kate Jackson said she will run for state representative in Attleboro while Rep. Betty Poirier, R-North Attleboro and Sen. Scott Brown, R-Wrentham, said they will seek re-election in the November election.

Jackson joins Democrat William Bowles and Republican George Ross as candidates for the seat being vacated by state Rep. John Lepper, R-Attleboro. City Treasurer Ethel Sandbach said she, too, is considering running for the seat.

Jackson, a Democrat, said she has been contacted by a number of people urging her to run since Lepper made the announcement that he is retiring.

She said she is making plans for the election and fund raising, but will not actively campaign for a while because she wants the limelight to remain on Lepper. "I'm looking forward to the campaign, but not too soon," she said.

Bowles and Ross are city councilors while Jackson is a former councilor.

Jackson ran and lost against Lepper in 2006.

Poirier, meanwhile, was joined by about 150 supporters Monday night at the Highland Country Club where she announced she is running for re-election.

Although she has no known opponent yet, Poirier said it is important to get out campaigning early.

She said her priorities, if re-elected, will be to encourage economic development and protect state aid to cities and towns.

Poirier outlined a number of her accomplishments and projects she is working on now.

She said she and Rep. Jay Barrows, R-Mansfield, are working to help area towns build a regional wastewater treatment plant.

Poirier, with Lepper, has been urging the state to expand its Bristol Community College facilities in Attleboro.

In her hometown of North Attleboro, she said she was able to secure money for security cameras at the high school and $200,000 for repairs to the Fisher Street bridge. A number of speakers at the event - including Lepper, Barrows, Brown and Minority Leader Brad Jones - praised Poirier for her dedication to her district.

While Poirier was holding a large event, Brown made his announcement through a press release.

A former member of the House, Brown said he will seek a third term in the Senate.

"Though this is an uncertain time in our country and our state, I am committed to creating and keeping good jobs in our region, funding and strengthening our schools, and making Massachusetts a safe and affordable place for all of our residents to call home," Brown said in the release.

Brown represents a district that includes half of Attleboro, along with North Attleboro, Plainville, Wrentham and Norfolk.

"It is an honor to represent the people of this district," Brown said. "We have accomplished a lot in the past four years, but we "have so much more to do. I am proud of the bipartisan, common sense work we have done in the Senate, and I look forward to continuing to work on the many issues that the people of my district truly care about."