State Rep. Sharon Nelson, a Democrat from Maury Island, has decided to run for the state Senate, a position being vacated by her friend and colleague Sen. Joe McDermott.

Meanwhile, Nelson’s legislative aide, Joe Fitzgibbon, has decided to make a run for her seat, joining an already crowded field of Democrats vying for the 34th District position.

Fitzgibbon, 23, of Burien, has worked for Nelson since she was appointed to the House in November 2007. He resigned last week so he could focus his attention on the legislative race.

Others running in the Democratic primary for the 34th District House seat, a Democratic stronghold, are Mike Heavey, who works as an aide to King County Councilwoman Jan Drago; Marcee Stone, president of the statewide organization Washington Public Cam-

paigns, and Sabra Schneider, who works for King County.

Fitzgibbon, who chairs the Burien Planning Com-mission, said he believes he would quickly become an effective lawmaker.

“I’ve been down there. I know the issues. … I won’t have a steep learning curve,” he said.

Nelson, 58, who was appointed and then elected to the House seat, said she’s eager to take her voice for consumer protection and environmental protection to the Senate.

“It’s a natural progression to move up to the Senate,” she said.

She currently serves as vice-chair of the House Local Government and Housing Committe.