With a background as a working parent, an educator, labor leaders and school board resident, Eric Pickens is looking to represent the 24th Legislative District in 2024.

A Sequim resident, president of the Sequim School Board and Port Angeles school teacher, Pickens announced his bid for the seat now held by Mike Chapman (D-Port Angeles) at the Sequim Civic Center on Dec. 9.

“Being raised in the 24th district I have a lot invested [here],” said Pickens, who attended and graduated from Chimacum schools.

“I feel I can be an advocate for justice and change, with a commitment for public service.”

Pickens will run as a Democrat, and has the backing of Chapman — who attended Saturdays’ campaign announcement, along with Washington Education Association president Larry Delaney.

Chapman announced in July he will seek the state senate seat to be vacated by Kevin Van Wege, who is running for State Commissioner of Public Lands.

“I’ve worked with Mike Chapman over the years in a number of issues; he knows how passionate I am, that I’m looking to advocate for folks from an authentic place and do what’s right for the 24th district,” Pickens said.

“It feels great to have his support, among others.”

Chapman said in a press release, “I believe Eric Pickens is a great candidate for the open House seat in the 24th Legislative District. Not only has Eric been a good friend; he has also been someone I’ve come to respect and appreciate his passion for issues surrounding public education, social justice and worker’s rights.

“Eric’s personal journey and professional experience uniquely qualify him to represent the interests of our community.”

In mid-November, Makah Tribal Council member Nate Tyler announced his intention to run for Washington state’s 24th Legislative District, and has received support from Chapman as well.

The district’s issues

Pickens said he was raised in a single-parent household, and that “his mother’s tireless efforts as a proud union member, culminating in a landmark discrimination lawsuit against the Washington State Ferries, inspired Pickens to believe that a determined individual can make a difference,” according to his 2023 Clallam County Voter’s Guide statement.

State Rep. Mike Chapman addresses a crowd on Dec. 9 in support of Eric Pickens’ campaign for his current seat as the state representative for the 24th Legislative District in 2024.

A U.S. Coast Guard veteran, Pickens earned a bachelor’s degree in management, but after working as an operations manager in the corporate world he “quickly came to realize however that he wanted to work in an area where he could make a more meaningful impact in his community,” the voter’s guide statement notes.

Returning to school, he earned a master’s degree in elementary education from the University of Phoenix. A teacher in Port Angeles schools, Pickens was elected president of his local union in 2018 and then successfully ran for the Sequim School Board in 2019 and 2023, where he has served as board president for the past three years.

Pickens said many of the issues the 24th district — which covers the North Olympic Peninsula’s Clallam and Jefferson counties as well as part of Grays Harbor County — are rural in nature.

Income inequality is an issue Pickens is hearing about from constituents across the region, including the issues with housing costs and availability that goes with the income disparity.

“Inflation continues to be a barrier for folks — and with that, homelessness as well,” Pickens said.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash About 50 people gather on Dec. 9 to hear Eric Pickens’ announcement of his run to become the 24th Legislative District state representative in 2024.

Workers’ rights is another thing Pickens expects to focus on.

“I come from a proud union family; I want to make sure we take of the working class,” he said.

“I’m a champion of folks being able to have access mental and behavioral health resources that they need.”

He expects health care to be a significant issue for the 24th district as well.

“Too many seniors and families can’t pay their medical bills … [or are] not being able to find providers,” he said.

Education issues also figure into Pickens’ issues for the region.

“[Students] should have world class education, regardless of zip code,” he said. “We owe that to students here in the 24th. I have a strong understanding of how education funding works in this state.”