By Janice Podsada
Herald Writer
State Rep. Dave Schmidt, R-Mill Creek, announced this week that he is a candidate for the 44th District state Senate seat.
In April, state Sen. Jeanine Long, R-Mill Creek, announced she would not seek re-election and will retire after 14 years in the Legislature.
Schmidt, 48, is the first candidate in the 44th District Senate race to formally announce that his name will be on the ballot this fall. "I believe the eight years I have represented our district in the House gives me a strong advantage in moving to he Senate," Schmidt said.
Schmidt, a legislator in the district for eight years, said the newly redrawn 44th District is considered one of the biggest growth areas in the state. About 55 percent of the district is new. The redistricting drew territory from the 39th and 38th districts.
Because it is such a huge growth area, Schmidt said he will focus his campaign on transportation, job creation and education. He is the only Snohomish County legislator on the House Education Committee.
Schmidt was already anticipating a run for the money this week.
"This seat is going to be a top Senate Democratic target," Schmidt said. "I want to continue the tradition of excellence set by Jeanine in serving our district’s constituents."
Schmidt is a member of the South Snohomish County Chamber of Commerce and The Mountaineers. He has served in the Washington National Guard for 18 years. Schmidt, his wife and two children live in Mill Creek.
For more information about Schmidt’s state representative career and campaign, see www.daveschmidt.org.
Meanwhile, Republican Gregory Dean Lemke has announced his candidacy for state House of Representatives position No. 2 in the 38th District.
Lemke, 39, is a former aide to the late Rep. Dick Van Dyke and has many years of experience in volunteer work in fields ranging from disability issues to work with foster children. He is presently superviser of security services at a local health care facility.
The Lemke campaign plans its official kickoff at Club Broadway, 1611 Everett Ave., on Friday from 6 to 9 p.m.
For more information, see www.votelemke2002.com.
You can call Herald Writer Janice Podsada at 425-339-3029 or send e-mail to podsada@heraldnet.com.
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