A group of Democrats, including Federal Way City Council members Martin Moore and Lydia Assefa-Dawson, formed a coalition on Wednesday to back the Democrat-turned-Republican Senate candidate Mark Miloscia.

Democrats throughout the state have joined the coalition, including current and former legislators.

But looking at the list of Democrats supporting Miloscia, many of them have deviated from traditional Democratic lines, said state party chair Jaxon Ravens.

“I don’t think it has a lot of weight,” Ravens said about the coalition. Instead of a challenge, the coalition is a group of faux Democrats making an effort to appear bipartisan, he said.

However, from the coalition’s standpoint, the goal is to elect the most qualified leader — and that is Miloscia, Moore said.

Miloscia, who is challenging candidate Shari Song for the seat, has been a mentor to Moore since Moore was in high school. Moore has also seen Miloscia active in the community, subbing at schools and feeding the homeless. In addition, Moore has worked with Miloscia and knows he gets results, Moore said.

Miloscia’s support of affordable housing is why Assefa-Dawson supports him, she said in a press release.

Miloscia has lived in Federal Way for nearly three decades and has served 14 years in the state House of Representatives. In 2005 and again in 2006, Miloscia was awarded the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance’s “Housing Hero” award.

Moore expects to have many conversations regarding the coalition, and hopes to help the public trust Miloscia, as he does, Moore said. Though some people will undoubtedly be upset by the coalition, Miloscia is the leader who will be able to meet others in the middle and get results, Moore said.

“Our goal is to do everything we can to make sure Mark gets elected,” Moore said.

For more information on the coalition and a list of Democrats involved, visit www.markmiloscia.com/democrats_for_miloscia. To support or join the coalition, contact Martin Moore at gomartinmoore@gmail.com or at 253-653-3825.