MARYSVILLE – City Councilman Mark James announced Tuesday that he is running for the state representative seat held by John Lovick, D-Mill Creek.
James has been on the council for two years. If elected in the 44th District in November 2020, a replacement would be appointed for the final year of his term.
“As a local business owner for the past fifteen years, I understand the hard work needed to be successful and how government can help or hinder those it is supposed to serve,” James said. James said he started looking into running about six months ago. The state Republican Party is supporting him.
“The right people came into alignment,” he said. “They’ve taken me under their wings and walked me through the process. It’s not so scary when you have the A team beside you.”
James said he has enjoyed the impact he’s made at the local level and wants to expand that scope.
On the council, James has taken a leadership role with issues like the Regional Fire Authority and affordable housing. But he has also learned that a lot of work goes on behind the scenes.
“You have to figure out where people are at,” he said. “There’s a lot of stuff you don’t see at council meetings.”
He also said, “Teamwork is very important.”
James has lived in Snohomish County for nearly 30 years. He serves on the Economic Development, Snohomish County Tomorrow Steering, Government Affairs and Community Development Block Grant committees. He’s also on the Alliance for Housing Affordability and Snohomish County Law & Justice Council. Additionally, he is on the county Planning Commission spending considerable time on land-use issues. He also serves on the Puget Sound Regional Council Transportation Policy Board.
A U.S. Army veteran, he has been a local business owner for over a decade. Prior to founding James Marketing, Inc. (Hometown Values Savings Magazine), James worked locally as a certified ophthalmic medical technologist.
James dedicates time to various volunteer organizations, including Marysville Sunrise Rotary, Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce, Cold Weather Homeless Shelter, Salvation Army, Marysville Food Bank and his local church.
He said the 44th is a swing district that has elected candidates from both parties in the past. It includes Marysville, Snohomish, Mill Creek and Lake Stevens.
A longtime lawmaker and former county sheriff, Lovick has had some bad publicity in the past, but James wants no part of that. He told the party, “right out of the chute,” that he wants to distance himself from that.
“Keep me out of it,” he said.
As a councilman, James has earned the Certificate of Municipal Leadership where he received credits in roles, responsibilities and legal requirements; public sector resource management; community planning and development; and effective local leadership.
“I am a man of faith, a husband, a father, a veteran and a committed, involved community leader. If elected, I will use my time, experience, and ability to help our community and Washington state as a whole, to increase its efficiency and maintain transparency. I will promote policies that will keep our state safe, clean and vibrant.”
For details, visit ElectMarkJames.com
