Democrat Essie Hicks announced on Tuesday, Jan. 5, that she will be running for Position 1 State Representative in Washington’s 5th Legislative District which covers Black Diamond, Carnation, Issaquah, Maple Valley, North Bend and Snoqualmie.

Hicks, currently a development commissioner in Issaquah and treasurer of the Northwest Progressive Institute, will run against Republican Jay Rodne, who has held the seat since 2004.

“I want to be a voice of transparency, change and stability,” Hicks said. “I’m someone who would represent (the district) a lot better than what they’ve had for the last decade.”

Formerly a small business owner, Hicks has been involved with local communities in Yelm, Maple Valley and Issaquah. Hicks has been on the Maple Valley Planning Commission and helped establish the Maple Valley Farmers Market. In 2011, she moved to Issaquah and became the legislative liaison for the Issaquah School District Elementary PTA and volunteered with the Issaquah School District.

“I helped pass bonds and levies for our schools in Issaquah,” Hicks said. “As parent and someone who is very involved in the community I know how important that is to families. They need to be able to have solid schools for our children.”

Hicks said she decided to run again after her strong showing against Rodne in 2014, in which she received 42 percent of votes.

“In 2014 Jay Rodne took the floor against marriage equality. I was looking for the person running against him and I found there was no one. I feel like that doesn’t provide the public with a Democratic option,” Hicks said. “So I reached out to local leaders, gaining endorsements and fundraising. The people called on me to do this, parents, teachers, people who live in the district.”

After the Nov. 13 terrorist attacks on Paris, Hicks’ opponent Jay Rodne generated controversy over statements he made about Muslims on Facebook. His comments included “Obama wants to import 1.5 million muslims into the U.S. This is absolute madness! Islam is incompatible with western civilization! How anyone (sic) people need to die? In the interim, Amicans (sic), arm yourselves!!!!!” The comments have since been taken down and Rodne has stated that those comments were taken out of context.

Because of Rodne’s controversial statements, Hicks feels that he does not represent the people of the 5th District and that a more reasonable voice is needed in the state representative position.

“I think that we have to have a stable and reasonable voice. Jay Rodne’s comments were embarrassing and inappropriate and it’s just not something a public official should be saying,” Hicks said. “The people of this legislative district are furious and Jay Rodne just does not represent this legislative district. These are members of our community, they are Americans and they are just practicing their religious values.”

When asked for comment, Rodne responded by citing his military record and experience in public safety while dismissing Hicks’ comments as exploitative.

“It is unfortunate that Ms. Hicks seeks to exploit the comments that I made in the aftermath of the horrific Paris terror attacks for her own personal political gain,” Rodne said in an email in response.  “As a U.S. Marine, I have seen the ravages of war first hand and I have put my life on the line to free Muslims from oppression in Iraq, Somalia and Kuwait.  Having served overseas in defense of our country I take a realistic look at the tough decisions that need to be made to keep our nation and our families safe.  I will continue to make public safety and the support of our active duty and retired military a top priority.”

Rodne said he looks forward to the campaign and “focusing on the issues that are of importance to the people of the 5th District,” like easing traffic congestion and “ensuring a world-class education system.”

“In the past 12 years I have led the effort to fund education first and actually make educating our children a priority,” he said. “My hard work has paid off and over the past two years with the support of a Republican controlled Senate we have increased education funding faster than at any time in state history.”

Hicks said she will represent the values of the people of the 5th District by focusing on education, agriculture, health care, fiscal responsibility, and environmental issues.

“I want to make sure the people have someone who will represent their values and I believe I do that,” Hicks said.