In a statement posted on her website, Emken said her decision to run for Congress came from "the need to send someone to Washington who understands the struggles of our families and who is concerned about the direction of our country -- and our government."
Emken ran last year against the longtime incumbent, Democratic Sen. Diane Feinstein, but came up short at the polls.
Emken has also championed autism research, serving as vice president for government relations at the advocacy organization Autism Speaks.
