Phyllis Huster, a Democrat, has announced her candidacy in this fall’s election for state senator of the 5th Legislative District.

The district includes Maple Valley, which is where the incumbent, Sen. Cheryl Pflug, lives.

Pflug, a Republican who was a two-term state representative before entering the Senate, is seeking re-election and said she will formally launch her campaign closer to the official June 2-6 filing period for candidates.

Huster, a Snoqualmie resident, staged a campaign kickoff April 20 in Issaquah.

“My campaign is about putting the people’s voice back in government,” Huster said. “I will draw my experience managing innovative projects and multimillion dollar budgets to benefit the needs of my district.”

Huster, who describes herself as a 20-year veteran of the telecommunications industry, said her campaign priorities are economic growth, transportation, fiscal responsibility, affordable healthcare, education funding and property rights for citizens.

She said that starting in May, she’ll host a series of townhall-style forums to “produce a wish list representing the citizens’ needs.” She would use that list as a legislator if she’s elected, she said.

Huster said she supports universal healthcare coverage, moving students out of portables and into classrooms with “better education funding,” and attracting “corporate facilities” to the district to improve job choices for district residents.

In addition to Maple Valley, Snoqualmie and Issaquah, the district includes North Bend, Sammamish, Fall City and parts of rural King County.