With general election ballots now in the hands of Plateau voters, it’s time to decide which 5th Legislative District representative and senator candidates will get a seat on the hill.

Much of Black Diamond is no stranger to Democratic stronghold LD5, but Enumclaw may be unfamiliar with these candidates; the city was a part of the reliably red LD 31 for years until last March due to a redistricting in eastern Washington.

This means Enumclaw will no longer be represented by the likes of Rep. Drew Stokesbary (R) and Sen. Phil Fortunato (R). Instead, it’s possible — and maybe even likely, given the primary results — that a Democrat will represent the Plateau at the state legislator.

Here’s a recap of the LD 5 candidates who advanced from the August primary.

5TH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT, POS. 1

Mark Hargrove (R)

Mark Hargrove, a U.S. Air Force veteran and retired Boeing instructor pilot, resides in the Black Diamond/Covington area. He was a member of the Washington House of Representatives from 2011-2019. His campaign website touches on affordability, public safety, education, transportation and natural gas. He wants to hire more police officers, lower taxes and regulations for small businesses and get rid of Washington’s Growth Management Act.

The Growth Management Act requires cities and counties to have a comprehensive plan to manage population growth. During primary election coverage, Hargrove told the Snoqualmie Valley Record that the Growth Management Act contributes to unaffordable housing by restricting development and driving up prices.

“It should be scrapped and replaced with a less restrictive plan,” he told the Record.

Hargrove has stated on his website and in commentary that education outcomes will improve when teachers can focus solely on teaching, and not “all the other distractions.” He did not elaborate on what those distractions are.

According to his website, Hargrove also believes the state should “re-prioritize” the transportation budget to focus more on improving road conditions for those who drive as a primary mode of transportation.

Victoria Hunt (D)

Victoria Hunt was first elected to Issaquah City Council in 2019. She has a PhD in Ecology and helped Issaquah develop a Climate Action Plan. Her campaign website mentions affordable housing, education, environmental stewardship, public safety, accessible transportation and reproductive rights.

Hunt, a former faculty member of the University of Washington’s Department of Urban Design and Planning, believes the state needs more affordable housing but wants to ensure development is done in a way that protects the environment, according to her website. She previously told the Record that she wants to allow density, build more quickly and see more middle housing.

Funding of public schools is “the paramount duty of the Legislature,” Hunt told the Record. She also said she will fight for educators’ ability to teach “fact-based curriculum.”

Hunt, who refers to herself as a climate scientist, told the Record the effort to repeal the Climate Commitment Act is a “huge threat” and that protecting the climate for future generations motivated her to run for office.

5th Legislative District, Pos. 2

Lisa Callan (D)

Lisa Callan is the incumbent for the 5th Legislative District’s second position. She was first elected to her position in 2018 after serving her community of Issaquah for many years, including as president of the Issaquah School Board. Her campaign website mentions public school leadership, community safety, small business success and affordable housing.

Callan’s website says she will get public schools back on track after pandemic setbacks and increase trust between law enforcement and the public. She wants to see new community investments so small businesses can “grow, thrive and create jobs.”

Callan is also invested in reducing housing costs for families and seniors alike so people can afford to remain in the communities they grew up in.

Patrick Peacock (R)

Patrick Peacock’s family has multi-generational roots in the Hobart area. He currently serves in the Army Reserves after specializing as an Intelligence Warrant Officer in the U.S. Army. His priorities, according to his campaign website, are safer communities, financial stability and quality education.

Peacock believes that Washington will have safer communities as a result of “effective laws, quality policing and the prosecution of criminals,” according to his website. He wants to provide more resources to law enforcement and ensure laws that prioritize public safety are being created and enforced.

A combination of lower taxes and policies that strengthen the economy will provide Washingtonians with financial stability, Peacock’s website says. He wants to see more job growth and entrepreneurship and find a balance between “revenue generation and economic prosperity.”

Enumclaw Courier-Herald editor Ray Miller-Still contributed to this article.