TRENTON, NJ — Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis says he’ll run again — for New Jersey Senate.

Lewis said he hopes to inspire people, encourage communities to get together and improve educational opportunities, particularly physical education, for children. He said he’ll announce a specific issue-based platform in coming days.

This is his first bid for elected office. In fact, he said he had registered to vote earlier in the day but said he had been registered previously in California and Texas, two states he has recently lived in.

Lewis will run as a Democrat in the 8th legislative district now represented by Republican Dawn Addiego.

Lewis won nine Olympic gold medals and is considered among the best track and field athletes of all time.