Essie Hicks of Issaquah, who announced her candidacy for state legislature Jan. 5 has withdrawn from the state race, according to an announcement on her Facebook page.

“As other Democrats enter the race for Jay Rodne’s seat, I think it is sensible for me to step down, and concentrate on local politics here at home, and the community projects that make our region such a great place to live,” she wrote late Sunday, Jan. 24.

Jason Ritchie, the Democrat who had announced his campaign for Representative Position 2, recently announced his intention to run for Position 1, against incumbent Jay Rodne, a Republican. Position 2 is currently held by Republican Chad Magendanz, who announced he will instead run for State Senate, against Democratic incumbent Mark Mullett.

On Wednesday, Jan. 27, Snoqualmie Mayor Matt Larson, a Democrat, and Republican attorney Paul Graves of Fall City both announced their intentions to run for Position 2.

Hicks’ campaign was launched in opposition to Rep. Jay Rodne, who has held the Position 1 Representative seat since 2004. Rodne had drawn strong criticism, particularly from the Democratic party, for anti-Muslim comments he made on Facebook after the Nov. 13, 2015, terrorist attacks on Paris.