Report: Eric Choiniere To Run For State Senate

University Place City Councilman announced that he's running for the 28th Legislative District against incumbent Mike Carrell.

According to a report in The News Tribune, Choiniere formally announced his bid Thursday, in a statement with plenty of backing from state Democrats. Carrell is a Republican.

“Eric Choiniere understands the challenges our middle class families are facing because he’s lived them himself,” said Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown (D-Spokane). “His genuine perspective based on his own experiences will make Eric a leading voice for our families.”

And Sen. Derek Kilmer of Gig Harbor said this about Choiniere, an Army veteran who works for a veteran health care provider:

Our veteran’s deserve strong voices in the Legislature,” said Senator Derek Kilmer (D-Gig Harbor), Senate Democratic Campaign Committee Chairman. “From his own days serving in the army to his work ensuring that Pierce County veterans receive health care coverage, Eric’s commitment to our veterans is second to none. I look forward to serving with him in the State Senate next year.”

Choiniere's announcement came a day after another UP Councilman, Chris Nye, told Patch that he plans to run for the .

Defeating founding University Place City Councilwoman Lorna Smith in 2009, Choiniere was part of the young city's biggest transformation in leadership. After 16 years of the City Council remaining almost unchanged since its 1995 incorporation, UP had four new faces on the council by the end of 2010.

So far during his tenure, Choiniere has maintained a fiery presence on the dais, passionately stating his perspectives and not being afraid to challenge his fellow council members.