Democrat Ron Weigelt, a former Buckley City Councilman, recently announced his candidacy for the State Senate 31st District seat currently held by five-term Republican Pam Roach, of Auburn.

“Having been born and raised here in Washington, I have experienced and observed a great deal. I want to apply that knowledge and those experiences to face the future on our own terms: self-reliant, independent, and with optimism,” Weigelt said in a statement.

Weigelt, a Democrat, is a human resources manager for the Seattle and King County Health Department. A Seattle native, he lives in Bonney Lake with his wife, Jane Barsi.

Helping to restore the state’s stumbling economy is a priority for Weigelt.

“Right now our future demands jobs,” he said. “We need to implement an energy plan to harness our resources, we need to increase our exports, and we need to provide small business incentives to keep small business alive and well.

“At the same time, we need to revitalize our education system and provide the business community with a labor pool which has the skills needed to compete in a global economy,” he continued.

A U.S. Army veteran, Weigelt has devoted a lifetime to service. He served as a company commander with the 101st Airborne Division. He later served in South Korea, where he also served as an instructor for Central Texas College, Pacific Far East Campus, teaching a course in business management. Having served during the first Gulf War, Weigelt now serves as a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Weigelt also worked as a labor negotiator for King County and the Office and Professional Employees International Union.

“Public service has been one of the privileges of my life,” Weigelt said. “In my own community, I have been honored to help shape the debate about our future. I want to do the same thing in Olympia, fighting for what I believe Washington can be and should be.”

Weigelt earned his bachelors degree at Eastern Washington University and his masters degree in public administration serving in the military.

To learn more about Weigelt, visit www.ron4rep.com.