Rep. Cathy Dahlquist, R-Enumclaw, announced in a release today she will run for the 31st District Senate seat currently held by Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn.

Dalquist is a two-term representative and served on the Enumclaw School District Board of Directors prior to running for the House seat.

The following is the press release sent out by Dahlquist:

“We have a lot of challenges,” said Dahlquist. “We can fix them, but only if we leave partisanship at the  door.”

Dahlquist said both Republicans and Democrats should work together for the good of the people they  represent.

“We can have the best schools, a clean environment, and quality health care for citizens,” said  Dahlquist. “But only if we all work together.”

Dahlquist has been a leader on education funding and said she will continue her work in the Senate.

“Education has been my passion for a long time,” said Dahlquist. “The future of our students is in jeopardy because education funding has been ignored and it has reached dangerous levels.”

Dahlquist said addressing the recent Supreme Court decision that education funding be increased will be one of her top priorities as a senator, as well as investing in quality teachers.

“Student learning starts with a great teacher,” said Dahlquist. “But our teachers have not had a COLA in years. We need to make the investment if we want to retain quality teachers. Our kids are worth it.”

Dahlquist spent several years on her local school board, served as the ranking member on the House Education Committee and sponsored legislation to require fully funding education first, before lesser priorities, in the state budget. She was elected to the State House of Representatives in 2010 and again in 2012.

Dahlquist said she will bring representation back to the people of the 31st

“I will be the voice for the people of my district that has been missing in the Senate for too long,” said Dahlquist.