ML native appointed to House

SEATTLE — Javier Valdez, D-Seattle, who was born and raised in Moses Lake, was recently appointed to the Washington House of Representatives and will be representing the 46th Legislative District.

The Martin Luther King Jr. County Labor Council voted unanimously to appoint Valdez to the vacant 46th District seat, which was formerly held by Jessyn Farrell, who recently resigned from the position. The 46th District covers part of King County and the city of Seattle, including Lake Forest Park, Kenmore and Lake City.

"I am deeply appreciative for the faith and confidence the County Council and my fellow Democrats in the 46th District have placed in me to represent them in Olympia," Valdez said. "I will listen and learn from my constituents while always staying true to my core progressive values."

Valdez was pitted against eight other House hopefuls in the process to fill the vacant seat, which gives precinct committee officers (PCOs) from the district the power to recommend their top three choices to the County Council. Valdez came in at the top of the candidate list with 57 percent of the final vote in a runoff with Nigel Herbig, a member of the Kenmore City Council. Valdez, Melissa Taylor and Herbig’s names were given to the County Council for a final vote on Monday, with Valdez getting the nod.

“In my political career, rarely have I seen a more dedicated and loyal member of our Democratic Party. I have no doubt that Javier will be an effective leader for his district by working with his caucus and across the aisle,” Seattle Mayor Ed Murray said.

Valdez is the former chair of the 43rd and 46th District Democratic organizations and currently a special assistant on Women and Minority Business Enterprise programming for Murray. Valdez’s mother worked in a potato processing plant for 29 years and his father worked in the fields and as an agricultural laborer until he nabbed a job at a U&I Sugar Company plant.

"My parents taught me an ethic of hard work and an appreciation for how important it was that everyone has a voice. Today we face challenges that deeply threaten the livelihood and quality of life for working-class families and I will always remember where I came from and fight for the rights and needs of everyone in our community," Valdez said.

Valdez is joining the Democratic legislative caucus in Olympia this week as state lawmakers are in the middle of a second special session to pass a state budget.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.