Wagoner appointed to legislature

A presidential selection last year paved the way for the appointment of Sedro-Woolley Mayor Keith Wagoner to the state senate yesterday. Kirk Pearson, R-Monroe, was named U.S. Department of Agriculture director of rural development for Washington state. Pearson had represented the 39th District, including parts of King, Skagit and Snohomish counties. On Wednesday Skagit County Commissioner Ron Wesen nominated Wagoner to replace Pearson. The mayor was selected from a pool of three candidates presented by the Republican Party. Yesterday’s decision was made by Skagit County commissioners as well as representatives from the county councils of Snohomish and King counties. This photo of Wagoner (left) and Pearson was taken during a tour of the Northern State facility in June 2016.