Sen. Karen Fraser announces run for lieutenant governor

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington state Sen. Karen Fraser says she's running for lieutenant governor.

The Olympia Democrat said in a statement Tuesday that her 27 years of legislative experience sets her apart from others seeking the position. Fellow Democratic Sen. Cyris Habib announced last month that he was seeking the office currently held by Democrat Brad Owen. Owen has served in the position since he was first elected in 1996. Owen has not yet made a decision whether to seek re-election.

Fraser is currently serving her sixth four-year term in the Senate. Previously, she served four years in the state House.

Republican Javier Figueroa is also running for lieutenant governor. He is a member of the University Place City Council and serves as mayor pro tem.

The lieutenant governor presides over the state Senate and is the acting governor when the governor is out of state.