The Metropolitan King County Council on Monday appointed Patricia (Patty) Kuderer to fill the vacancy in the Washington state House of Representative for the 48th Legislative District. Kuderer will fill the vacancy created when Rep. Ross Hunter resigned to serve as Director of the state Department of Early Learning.

“I am pleased to vote yes to appoint Ms. Kuderer to fill the vacancy in the 48th District,” said Council Chair Larry Phillips. “She was the top choice by the King County Democrats PCOs, and is an excellent candidate to fill Rep. Hunter’s seat representing our Eastside communities.”

Pursuant to the State constitution, the county council had to choose from a list of three names submitted by the state central committee of the same political party as the legislator whose office is vacant. The Washington State Democratic Central Committee submitted three names, identifying Kuderer as the preferred candidate of the 48th District Precinct Committee Officers, listing Kimberly Allen and Santiago Ramos as the second and third choices.

“I am so grateful for the support from the 48th District Democratic organization and honored to be appointed to this seat,” Kuderer said. “I will continue representative Hunter’s work championing our public schools while relying on my legal background to work on judiciary issues.” “I look forward to getting to work in Olympia.”

A resident of Clyde Hill, Kuderer is the head of the Kuderer Law Group. She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and received her law degree from the William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Kuderer has served as the National Communications Director for The Peace Alliance, a national organization that empowers civic engagement toward a culture of peace.

The candidates were interviewed by the King County Council before the final vote was taken, with the council selected Kuderer unanimously to fill the vacancy.

Kuderer will serve one year in the Legislature and will have to stand for election to a full term in 2016.