Leslie Kae Hamada, describing herself as a community volunteer and activist, said she’ll be a candidate in this fall’s election for a position in the Legislature from the 47th District.

Hamada said May 19 that she’ll run as a Democrat for state representative Position 1, which is now held by Geoff Simpson. She said she’ll return from traveling in Germany June 1, in time for the June 2-6 candidate filing period.

Simpson, who is facing assault charges in connection with an alleged incident involving his former wife, hasn’t announced if he’ll run for re-election.

Education to prepare students “from birth on up” for a global economy, affordable housing and utilities, “getting healthcare costs under control” and a sustainable transportation system will be goals of her campaign, Hamada said.

Hamada, who lives in Covington, said she has served on the board of a homeless assistance organization in south King County, headed emergency assistance programs at Kent United Methodist Church, spent four years as a citizens’ advisory board member for the state corrections system, and served on Catholic Community Services’ Advisory Council of Greater Seattle.

She attended Eastern Washington University and the University of Washington in the 1960s and The Evergreen State College in the 1980s. She has worked in communications, sales and marketing. She has three grown children.