MONROE — Three Monroe residents, including Mayor Robert Zimmerman, began campaigning this week to succeed state Rep. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, this fall.
Zimmerman along with Elizabeth Scott and Eleanor Walters entered the race in the 39th Legislative District after Pearson said he is running to replace retiring state Sen. Val Stevens, R-Arlington.
Zimmerman, a Republican, served two terms on the Monroe City Council before unseating incumbent Mayor Donetta Walser in 2009. His first mayoral term expires in 2013.
Scott, also a Republican, ran unsuccessfully for the Legislature in 2010 while living in Edmonds. She lost to incumbent Rep. Marko Liias, D-Edmonds.
In that race, Scott received the endorsement of prominent Republicans including Attorney General Rob McKenna and Dino Rossi, then a candidate for U.S. Senate.
Walters, a Democrat, also ran for state office in 2010. She lost to state Rep. Dan Kristiansen, R-Snohomish. Walters initially filed paperwork to challenge Stevens but now plans to compete for the open seat.
More candidates may emerge before the official filing period begins next month.
At stake is a two-year term representing residents of the sprawling 39th Legislative District, which encompasses parts of rural Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom counties.
Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
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