The 45th Legislative District for the Washington State House of Representatives. Click on image to enlarge.

March 24, 2016: Ramiro Valderrama, deputy mayor of Sammamish, today announced his candidacy for State Representative from the 45^th District. He’s seeking the seat held by Democrat Roger Goodman since 2007.

Valderrama will run as a Republican.

Charlie Sheffer of Redmond declared for this seat last year. At this writing, it’s unclear if Sheffer will stay in the race or withdraw in favor of Valderrama. Valderrama was reelected to his second term on the Sammamish City Council in November, effective Jan. 1. He received 83% of the vote against Parks Commissioner Hank Klein, who withdrew from the race too late to remove his name from the ballot.

Valderrama was selected by his peers to be Deputy Mayor for one year.

Valderrama intends to retain his seat on the City Council if elected to the State House, he told Sammamish Comment.

“I do have the ability to keep both seats and next year if elected to the State plan to keep both seats,” he said. “I plan to reach out to other legislators who have in the past kept both seats for their advice on balancing [between the two positions], not just the two seats but also balancing their work and children.  Want to make sure none of them feel short-changed.”

Valderrama cited transportation along the I-405 corridor, where tolling and congestion became a hot-button issue shortly after it was implemented last year. He also identified education reforms, balancing growth and the environment and fiscal responsibility as issues he will address.

Valderrama was reelected as the de facto leader of a slate of candidates including Christie Malchow and Tom Hornish, who were both elected to their first term. The Council campaigns last year were the bitterest since the first election in 1999.

During his first term, Valderrama became known as the citizens’ advocate on the Council.

“I have a proven record of listening and getting results for those I represent and I will do the same in Olympia,” Valderrama said in a press release.