The 2010 election season is officially under way and Democratic candidate Raymund Bunk wasted no time in launching his campaign for the state senate seat in the 31st legislative district.

Bunk hosted an official campaign kickoff June 9 at the Bonney Lake Senior Center with more than 40 guests in attendance.

Bunk, a Bonney Lake resident, current East Pierce Fire District Commissioner and member of the Bonney Lake design and civil service commissions, is running for the Senate seat presently held by longtime incumbent Pam Roach.

Bunk’s message at the kickoff event and on his literature is clear: He believes the area is not getting the representation it deserves.

“I think the 31st legislative district needs better leadership than we have right now,” he said in an interview. “I hope to be that leader.”

Bunk, 38, said Roach is making headlines in the district, but for all the wrong reasons, citing her being voted out of the Republican caucus this year and the statements from Republican leadership that she should take anger management classes.

“These are not my values, these are not your values and they are certainly not the values of the 31st,” he said during his speech at the event.

Bunk, a Federal Way police officer and member of the Air Force Reserve who served a tour of duty in Iraq in 2007, said he hopes to be able to bring a level of “civility” to Olympia and said his experience with conflict resolution will be a great help in the legislature.

Bunk will face off against Bonney Lake resident and fellow Democrat Ron Weigelt as well as Roach in the Aug. 17 primary with the top two vote getters moving the general election ballot in November for the right to represent the 31st in the state Senate.