Nurse, former sheriff vie for open east Snohomish County seat

Heather Koellen and Brian Burnett are competing for the vacant House seat in Washington's 12th Legislative District, a race that has gained attention due to recent demographic shifts from redistricting. Koellen, a nurse and current member of the North Bend City Council, is running as a Democrat with a focus on affordable housing and education reform. She believes that stronger coalitions among local governments, nonprofits, and businesses are essential to effectively tackle the housing crisis. Conversely, Burnett, a former Republican sheriff of Chelan County, emphasizes the need for deregulation to improve housing affordability and advocates for a cautious approach to minimum wage increases. Both candidates express a commitment to public safety but differ in their approaches, with Koellen advocating for improved police training and Burnett calling for more proactive policing.

This election is particularly notable as a Democrat has not held this House seat since 1965. Voters will decide between these two distinct visions for the future of their district in the upcoming election, with ballots due on November 5. The outcome could signal a potential shift in political representation in this historically rural area.