Ending two years of speculation and coy denials, Hillary Rodham Clinton announced on Sunday that she would seek the presidency for a second time, immediately establishing herself as the likely 2016 Democratic nominee.

"I'm running for president," she said with a smile near the end of a two-minute video released just after 3 p.m.

"Everyday Americans need a champion. And I want to be that champion," Mrs. Clinton said. "So I'm hitting the road to earn your vote — because it's your time. And I hope you'll join me on this journey."

The announcement came minutes after emails from John D. Podesta, Mrs. Clinton's campaign chairman, alerting donors and longtime Clinton associates to her candidacy.

As former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton launches her presidential campaign today, the Circle of Protection is asking her to record a video telling Americans what she would do to help hungry and poor people if elected.

"We are praying for a president who will make ending hunger and poverty a top priority of his or her administration. Are you that leader?" asked more than 100 religious leaders in a letter sent to Clinton. They asked the former secretary to record her answer in a three-minute video.

"As national leaders from all the major branches of Christianity, we care deeply about many issues facing our country, but ending hunger and poverty is a top priority," the religious leaders wrote.

Throughout the world, many countries have dramatically reduced the incidence of hunger. However, in the United States, 49.1 million Americans, including 18.1 million children, don't know where their next meal is coming from.

The Circle of Protection will broadly publicize the presidential candidate's video among churches and the public. The Circle of Protection will not evaluate the presidential candidates' policy positions or endorse any candidate.

The Circle of Protection will call on people of faith to examine the presidential candidates' proposals to address poverty both at home and abroad, and to consider the mandate to those who govern to "give deliverance to the needy" (Psalm 72).

"The calling to public service is a sacred vocation. We hold you, and all of the candidates for nomination and election, in our prayers," they added.