It’s time for new blood in the legislative and executive branches of the state, Glenn Anderson says. Washington’s billion-dollar budget deficit and flagging economy are only proof of that.

“We’ve got a lot of big problems and we don’t seem to be making any progress,” Anderson, State Representative for District 5 and a Fall City resident, told the Record Thursday.

He plans to create some of that needed change, and hopes to combat the widespread pessimism, by freeing up his seat in the House of Representatives, and pursuing a higher office.

“After 12 years of serving the district, it’s time to step up the game a little bit,” he said. “I’m actually going to run for Lieutenant Governor.”

Anderson, a Republican, is a minority in the House, but that was less a factor in his decision not to run for re-election than the realization that “what we’re doing isn’t working. This is an opportunity to say ‘let’s do something different.’”

Working in the minority, he said jokingly, “if you don’t care who gets the credit, you can get a lot of things done,” then on a serious note, he added,  “whether you’re in the minority or the majority, you try to promote good ideas, period.”

A move to the executive branch would be an opportunity  to clarify priorities and focus for the state, he said, but the priorities he had in the House, fiscal responsibility and education funding, will not change.

“I’m going to be focused on private sector jobs, getting our kids educated, and living within our means,” he said, with jobs at the top of the list. “Until we really get a jobs machine, a private sector jobs machine, where people can get a paycheck… we’re sort of stalled out.”

Anderson is well-known for calling on the legislature to fully fund basic education, as required by the state constitution, at the start of past legislative sessions.

Before he starts campaigning for Lt. Governor, Anderson said he is going to finish his sixth consecutive term as District 5 Representative. It’s  a job he foresees lasting  well beyond the regular legislative session, scheduled to begin next week.

“The state’s budget situation is fairly serious,” he said, and the Governor’s half-percent sales tax increase is “going to be really contentious… so I’m thinking right now there’ll be at least one special session, possibly two. “

Asked about his possible successors, Anderson laughed and said he expected “I think in the next couple of weeks all sorts of people will show up.” Among them, he expected three or four Democrats to run, and several Republicans, as well.

“It is time to get some new people energized, and into the legislative process,” he continued. “The most important thing is, do they have some idea of the real interests and priorities of the people?”

Anderson announced his decision on Wednesday, Dec. 28, and the House Republicans organizations posted the information on its website.

All three state legislature seats for District 5, two House and one Senate, will be on the general election ballot November 6.