Former Army company commander runs for state Senate

A former company commander of Army paratroopers is challenging a state senator in a military-heavy Pierce County district.

Marisa Peloquin, a University Place Democrat, is now a colonel in the Army Reserves.

She is seeking the Senate seat held by Steve O’Ban, a lawyer and Tacoma Republican, who was appointed in 2013 and then elected in 2014 to fill out the remainder of the late Mike Carrell’s term. This year’s race is for a full four-year term.

Democrats need to capture two seats to take control of the Senate, and the 28th District is territory both parties usually contest. It includes Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Steilacoom, DuPont, Fircrest, University Place and parts of Tacoma and Lakewood.

Peloquin served in the 82nd Airborne Division as a jumpmaster and company commander and has also worked in marketing, she said in her campaign announcement.

She said in the announcement: “Instead of playing partisan games in the Legislature, I’ll be focused on ensuring our school districts have the tools they need to help our children succeed, maintaining our strong economy and supporting our veterans as they transition from military service. I have firsthand experience of the struggles many of our residents face, and I want be part of the solution.”

This story was originally published March 18, 2016 at 12:29 PM with the headline "Former Army company commander runs for state Senate."