Senn Says She'll Stay on City Council Through 2014

Appointed 41st District Rep. Tana Senn announced her intention to retain her Mercer Island city council seat even as she serves her 41st Legislative District constituents in Olympia during the next legislative session this winter in 2014.

In a city press release, Senn said she will continue to serve on the Mercer Island City Council and as the Council's representative to the Sound Cities Association, a coalition of locally elected leaders collaborating to create regional solutions.

Senn also told Mercer Island Patch that she plans to file for election next spring to retain the State House seat, and if successful resign her city council seat at that time.

"I think I have the shared values, the legislative experience, and an understanding of regional issues to represent the district," she said.

Her top three priorities for the short legislative session in January and Feburary 2014 are passing a statewide transportation package, fully funding education, and making the community safer by passing background checks for all gun purchases and adding new policies to curb repeat DUI offenses.

Senn was sworn in on Sept. 9 at the King County Courthouse as the newest State Representative, following a unanimous vote by the King County Council approving her nomination by the 41st Legislative District Democrats.

"I thoroughly enjoy local government and seeing the immediate impact you can have," Senn explained, in a press release referencing her role on the Mercer Island City Council. "However, there are things you cannot do at the local level like pass a statewide transportation budget, fully fund education and require background checks for all gun purchases." 

Senn said former State Sen. Jim Horn was the most recent example of a local elected official who decided to continue as a council member after appointment to the State Legislature. Horn, a Mercer Island city councilman, was appointed to the State House in 1988 but also served as Mercer Island's Mayor in 1988 and 1989.