Democrat Larry Springer, former mayor of Kirkland and now Deputy Majority Leader for Jobs and Economic Development, announced Monday he will run for reelection to his 45th District seat in the state House of Representatives.
"My No. 1 priority is simply to continue to work creating jobs," he said Tuesday morning. "We've got to get people back to work. The state has limited abiity to do that, so the second priority as got to be rebuilding our higher education system, because that's where we educate people who create jobs.
"We have cut the bejesus out of higher ed. This last sesson was the first time in four years we have not cut higher ed. We've got to reastore funding for higher ed."
No other candidates have announced intentions to run for Springer’s 45th District Position 2 seat in the Legislature. Candidates may not file with the King County Elections agency until May 14.
Springer, 65, co-owner of wine shop downtown with his wife, Kirkland City Council Member Penny Sweet, was first elected to the Legislature in 2004.
State Public Disclosure Commission records show Springer has raised $85,996 -- a large amount for a campaign for the Legislature, compared to funds raised to date by other candidates.
Springer is known for his bipartisan approach and has been endorsed by Jane Hague, a Republican and King County Council Member; Joan McBride, Mayor of Kirkland; Doreen Marchione, Deputy Mayor of Kirkland; John Marchione, Mayor of Redmond; Bernie Talmas, Mayor of Woodinville and others.
A former school teacher, Springer has been a resident of the Eastside since he was a child, graduating from Bellevue High School, Western Washington State College and earning a Master’s Degree from the University of Oregon in family counseling.
His campaign web site is at www.larryspringer.org.
