Rep. Marko Liias, D-Edmonds, has begun raising money for a campaign next year to succeed Democratic state Sen. Paull Shin who intends to retire at the end of his term.

A self-described progressive, Liias said he will work with Republicans to achieve a greater degree of bipartisanship in the chamber. Right now, the Senate is controlled by a coalition of 23 Republicans and two Democrats.

But supporters might not get that message from a fund raising email sent out today.

“It is time to send a strong progressive voice to the Senate, to stand up to the Tea Party and ensure that the voices of everyday people are heard too,” Liias wrote.

Liias, 32, was appointed to the House in December 2008 and is a vice chairman of the House Transportation Committee. He also is a former Mukilteo City Councilmember.

Shin in his fourth term. During his re-election campaign in 2010 he told voters he planned to serve one final term.