Todd Gibson, a local entrepreneur and community college instructor, has announced he is running for the 33rd District state House position being vacated by Rep. Shay Schual-Berke (D-Normandy Park.)

Schual-Berke has announced she will not run for re-election.

"I love South King County and I want to make our schools, colleges and health care the best in the world," Gibson said. "We need solutions that are locally grown but up to world-class standards, that fit our diverse community and culture."

Gibson said he "loves this community," and notes that he spent Mother's Day visiting eight nursing homes in the areas distributing more than 700 flowers to women at the facilities.

"We need to honor the people who built our community at the same time as we push forward to make it even better," Gibson said.

"My business takes me overseas to Ireland, Denmark, and Eastern Europe and each time I come home I'm more determined than ever to help people take advantage of all the opportunities we have here in King County - the natural beauty, our diverse population and a can-do work ethic."

Gibson lists education, health care and cutting wasteful government spending as his top three priorities.

State government often hurts small businesses and homeowners more than it helps, Gibson says.

"Our taxes our too high and it hurts those who are starting out the most," said Gibson. "Statewide, spending increased more than thirty percent in the last four years. That's too much. Homeowners can't afford it."

Gibson runs his own advertising agency, Gibson Media, with a group of international and Pacific Northwest clients.

He is an adjunct faculty member at Highline Community College in the communications department.

"I went to Highline High School and now I'm teaching part-time at Highline Community College, and I'm sending my kids to public schools here, so the quality of education here is very important to me," Gibson said.

"There is too much paperwork and not enough schoolwork," Gibson said, noting that he believes the administrative overhead at the local, regional, and state level robs money needed for teachers and the classroom.

Health care costs hurt both small businesses and employees who need health care, Gibson says.

"The state has limited health care options so that too many young people are uninsured, and people who are self-employed or in small businesses have a very hard time."

Gibson supports giving more flexibility to employers and employees to keep health care costs down.

"There are a lot of young men and senior citizens who should not be paying extra for maternity care they will never use," Gibson said, citing one example.

Gibson, 39, and his wife, Janet, have two children: a daughter, Sage, 7, and Karsten, 4.

The 33rd District includes parts of SeaTac, Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park and Kent.