THE 30th Legislative District epitomizes the swing district. Centered around Federal Way and straddling Pierce and King counties, it has elected an equal measure of Republicans and Democrats to the state House for a decade.
With the death of state Rep. Roger Freeman last year, a seat in the House is on the fall ballot. The district needs moderate, independent-minded leaders to represent a growing suburban constituency concerned about jobs, transportation and schools.
Teri Hickel fits that mold the best. A first-time candidate, Hickel has strong civic ties to Federal Way through a nonprofit she founded focused on youth leadership, as an interim CEO of the Greater Federal Way Chamber of Commerce and through her volunteer work in local schools.