Marano will seek District 4 seat

COEUR d'ALENE - Paula Marano announced Wednesday that she will seek election to the legislative seat now held by Rep. George Sayler of Coeur d'Alene.

Marano, like Sayler, is a former school teacher and a Democrat. She taught elementary school for 14 years, retiring from the Coeur d'Alene School District in 2008.

Sayler announced earlier this month that he will not run for re-election this fall.

"My values, life experiences, depth of caring and compassion, and integrity qualify me to represent the people in our community and throughout Idaho," Marano said in a prepared statement. "I recognize and respect the diversity in people and their interests and the tough issues that confront Idaho citizens."

Marano, who attended North Idaho College and earned a bachelor's degree, Magna Cum Laude from the University of Idaho, was chosen Coeur d'Alene School District Elementary Educator of the Year in 2006.

She is a past-president of the Coeur d'Alene Education Association, a position she served in until last June.

Marano had a chance to serve by appointment to Sayler's District 4 seat in the Legislature for a week during last year's long session when Sayler could not be present.

She said she admires Sayler for stepping down to allow another voice to be heard.

"It is an honor and responsibility to follow in the footsteps of our founders," Marano stated.

Supporting individuals and their families, how they live, work, learn, and interact together in their communities, is a priority for Marano, a Coeur d'Alene resident since 1975.

"Jobs and the economy, education, safety, and our natural resources and open spaces are common to everyone's interests and the engine that drives and sustains us in this western region," Marano stated. "Government does play a positive role in our lives."

Marano said she appreciates the hard work of public servants who "keep us safe, educate us, protect our rights, and keep us on the path of our pursuit to happiness," and pledges to do the same.

Coeur d'Alene Republican Kathy Sims also has filed a declaration of candidacy for Sayler's District 4 seat.

The filing period ends at 5 p.m. Friday.