Matt Isenhower, a U.S. Navy veteran and businessman, has announced his decision to incumbent Andy Hill (R-Redmond) for state Senate in the 45th Legislative District. The district includes the Sammamish area.

Isenhower. a Democrat, grew up in Sammamish and graduated from Redmond High School before earning a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Naval Academy. Isenhower went on to serve as a naval officer and eventually earned his Master in Business Administration from Harvard before returning home to raise a family.

“I have always been proud to call the Eastside my home and want to continue to make this a great place to live, work and raise a family,” said Isenhower, who lives in Redmond’s Education Hill neighborhood with his wife, April, and their two young children. “But I look at the partisan politics in the state Senate and see where it hurts our communities: underfunded schools, 520 over budget with stalled negotiations to complete construction, looming Metro cuts and a refusal to vote on safeguarding women’s health care. Our growing, dynamic region – and the families who live here – simply deserve better.”

As a naval officer, Isenhower served aboard the USS Winston S. Churchill protecting international shipping lanes. He later served at the Pentagon, coordinating crisis response activities with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Fleet Commanders.

In the private sector, Isenhower led a turnaround in an organization of 1,500 employees. Currently he works at Amazon.com.

Isenhower announced his campaign with local endorsements including Congresswoman Suzan DelBene and Congressman Adam Smith as well as 45th District state Rep. Roger Goodman and the chief budget writer in the state House, 48th District Rep. Ross Hunter.

Isenhower serves on the King County Veterans Program Advisory Board and as a trustee of the Lake Washington Schools Foundation. He is also a member of the Horace Mann Elementary School PTSA and an active member and volunteer at Sammamish Hills Lutheran Church.