Federal Way City Council member Martin Moore announced Wednesday he is running to represent the 30th District.

Moore has not declared which position he will run for, but will do so before the filing deadline in May, according to his communications director.

There will be two 3oth District seats on the general election ballot: Rep. Kristine Reeves recently resigned from her House seat as she runs for Congress, and Rep. Mike Pellicciotti will not seek re-election as he runs for state treasurer.

Moore is running as an independent/Republican.

“I will not toe the party line,” Moore told the Mirror, explaining that though he leans conservative on some issues, he also acts independently on certain social issues, such as his support for the LGBTQ community.

Though Moore filed as a Republican with the Public Disclosure Commission, he told the Mirror he is currently weighing whether he will include both independent and Republican on the election ballot, if that is an option.

In Olympia, Moore seeks to take his experience building consensus, protecting working families, and helping our most vulnerable.

“Even in hyper-partisan times, I truly believe we can put people first and lead with compassion and foresight,” Moore stated in a campaign press release. “As state representative, I will continue fighting for our neighbors’ safety, our students’ future, and our rights as human beings.”

Moore has a record of working to uplift working families, senior citizens, youth, people with disabilities and low-income residents, and of doing so within responsible budgets, according to his campaign. He’s able to understand and find solutions to the concerns of working-class communities both because he’s a Federal Way City Council member and because he’s part of that working-class community, according to the press release.

“My wife and I just bought our first house; we’re getting ready for our first baby,” Moore stated. “We’re seeing firsthand all the financial demands being placed on hard-working families, and we’re concerned about the future.

“Our most vulnerable need crucial social services, and our working families need relief from the high fees and new taxes they face despite a healthy economy. I truly believe we can accomplish that together, and I truly believe we can do it with equity and accountability.”

Moore, an immigrant who spent the first eight years of his life as an orphan in Bulgaria, has lived in the 30th District since 1992 when his parents adopted him and brought him home to Washington. He has represented his community on the Federal Way City Council since his election in 2013 and his re-election in 2017, and he experienced working in Olympia on behalf of the 30th District as the legislative aide to the late Rep. Roger Freeman.

“I’ve been honored to work for the community that’s given me everything, and I would be honored to continue that work in Olympia,” Moore stated in the press release. “I will be a state representative who will build bridges, celebrate our diversity, and work for all of us who proudly call the 30th District our home.”