With the Legislature winding down its 2002 session, more attention now will focus on who will be there next year.

A potential new face is Jim Ferrell. A King County deputy prosecutor since 1998, he formally announced his candidacy Monday for one of the Federal Way area’s seats in the state House of Representatives.

Ferrell, a Republican, hopes to advance through the primary election in September and challenge incumbent Rep. Mark Miloscia, a Democrat, in November’s general election.

Ferrell, who said he respects Miloscia but considers him politically “vulnerable,” is presenting himself as a law and order candidate with a prosecutor’s viewpoint. He noted that none of Washington’s 147 legislators, who make decisions on criminal code, are prosecutors.

“We need common-sense reform in the criminal justice system. Offender accountability needs to be ensured, along with the protection of the public,” said Ferrell, who prosecutes sexual assault cases.

Ferrell is a 10-year resident of Federal Way, where he serves on the board of the South King County Multi-Service Center and volunteers to help residents gain U.S. citizenship.

He’s a former University of Washington football player (1985-89).

The potential Ferrell-Miloscia contest is for Position 1 in the 30th District. Skip Priest, former Federal Way mayor who lost to Miloscia in 1998, is planning to run for the Position 2 seat held by fellow Republican Maryann Priest, who has said she won’t seek re-election.

In the 30th District’s other legislative race this fall, Sen. Tracey Eide’s opposition so far is William Moore.

Editor Pat Jenkins can be reached at 925-5565 and editor@fedwaymirror.com.

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