Rep. Sharon Nelson (D-Maury Island) and Joe Fitzgibbon, her former legislative assistant and current chair of the Burien Planning Commission, will visit Vashon for an open house with Islanders at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 18, at the Vashon Land Trust Building.

Nelson is a candidate for state Senate in the 34th District, hoping to fill the seat being vacated by Sen. Joe McDermott as he runs for King County Council. Fitzgibbon is a candidate for Nelson’s 34th District seat in the state House.

Nelson has represented Vashon and Maury Islands, West Seattle, Burien and North Highline in the House since being appointed in 2007. During that time, according to a press release from Nelson’s office, she has worked to “protect the Maury Island Aquatic Reserve from an environmentally devastating gravel mine and barge loading facility, has worked to preserve ferry service and secure funding for the construction of new ferries, and has organized fellow progressive legislators into the Blue/Green Alliance to push for legislation to help working families and protect the environment.”

Fitzgibbon served as Nelson’s legislative assistant from 2007 until the end of this year’s regular legislative session. He chairs the Burien Planning Commission and has worked to enact protections for Burien’s marine shorelines and to expand funding for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in under-served neighborhoods in Burien, according to the release.

He is endorsed by eight state legislators, including Nelson, environmental champion Rep. Dave Upthegrove (D-Des Moines), ferry caucus leader Christine Rolfes (D-Bainbridge) and nurse and labor advocate Rep. Tami Green (D-Lakewood).

Islanders are invited to attend Sunday’s open house to meet the candidates and hear about their priorities if elected.