Democratic hopefuls stepped forward last week to replace state Rep. Shay Schual-Berke, D-Normandy Park, who announced on March 17 that she will not seek election to a sixth term in the Legislature.

Kent City Councilwoman Elizabeth Albertson, 46, and Tina Orwall, 42, of Normandy Park, who is 33rd Legislative District Democratic Party chairwoman, entered the race that same day.

Des Moines Mayor Bob Sheckler, who is serving his third term on that city's council, is considering entering the contest as a "moderate" Democrat.

Sheckler said he expects to make a decision on whether to run before the end of March.

No Republican has expressed immediate interest in running for the seat Schual-Berke is vacating in the heavily Democratic 33rd District.

Albertson, the mother of five children, chairs the council's Planning and Economic Development Committee and serves on the Parks and Human Services Committee and the Leoff 1 Retirement Board.

She is board president of Communities and Schools in Kent, a local affiliate of a national organization working to helping children succeed in school.

In January 2007, Albertson resigned as Homeless Education Program Coordinator with the Puget Sound Educational Services District to focus on her city council and community volunteer activities.

Orwall, an award-winning advocate for the homeless, said Schual-Berke "has worked tirelessly for our district over the past ten years, and I hope to bring that same tireless effort to the position myself.

"I want to work closely with our strong 33rd Democrat leaders serving in the Legislature to identify resources and creative solutions to address the growing needs in our area so our community can thrive."

The mother of two, Orwall has raised her family in the Highline School District and served as president of the Marvista Elementary School PTSA.

She was an active member of the Highline Citizens for Schools, working to pass the 2007 Highline School Levy.

Orwall works for the city of Seattle as a Supportive Housing and Employment Coordinator, co-chairs a Single Adult Committee under the Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness, and has worked as a private consultant on mental health and chemical dependency issues statewide.

In 2004 she received the Advocate of the Year Award from the Statewide Coalition for the Homeless.

Orwall has also coordinated efforts to house homeless veterans, and was recognized earlier this month by the Veterans Administration with their Community Partner Award.

"Tina has worked wonders in bringing together diverse groups from government, non-profits and the business community to coordinate efforts to help those in need," said Bill Block, a homeless advocate.

"She understands that each of us is one step away from needing help, and that by helping others we help ourselves."

For the past three years she has also been co-chairwoman of the King County Democrats Legislative Action Committee.

In 2006, the King County Democratic Party honored Orwall as Democrat of the Year.

In announcing her retirement from the Legislature, Schual-Berke said, "My decade as a representative for the 33rd District and our state has been incredibly rewarding.

"But now I'm looking forward to traveling and spending time with my husband and family before pursuing other opportunities."

Schual-Berke also is a retired cardiologist.

Highlights of her legislative successes include:

Leading the House of Representatives to embrace a Patients Bill of Rights.

Achieving "Mental Health Parity" reform to bar insurers from requiring higher co-pays, deductibles or other out-of-pocket expenses for mental health treatment than they require for other medical services.

Putting a constitutional amendment before voters that enabled school levies to pass with a simple majority.

And, expanding Washington's Fair Campaign Practices Act to include judges as well as port and county offices in large counties. Prior to the Schual-Berke-led reform, special interests could spend unlimited amounts promoting candidates.

"Shay was able to lead on issue after issue, from health care and education to insurance fairness and campaign finance reform, because she has the vision to see the big picture and the fearless determination to achieve it," said Speaker of the House Frank Chopp, D-Seattle.

State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler said he is "particularly grateful for her efforts to establish mental health parity and for her support this year in restoring transparency and consumer protections to the individual health insurance market.

"Washington consumers owe her a great deal of thanks."

Schual-Berke also used her medical knowledge to secure reforms in prescription drug pricing, medically accurate sexual health education for youth and emergency contraception for rape victims.

In addition, she worked for the protection and education of Washington's children, both as a legislator and as a member of the Washington Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect.

"Whenever you see a Washington license plate with the colorful children's handprints, you are seeing a Shay Schual-Berke idea for raising funds to combat child abuse in our state," said Rep. Ruth Kagi, D-Lake Forest Park, who chairs the House Committee on Early Learning and Children's Services.

Schual-Berke worked in the Legislature to secure Highline-area interests, including state funding for local parks, Highline Community College and noise-abatement efforts to help children in schools near the airport.

At various times, she has been named "Legislator of the Year" by the Children's Alliance, Washington State Medical Association and Washington Academy of Family Practitioners.

In her current two-year term, Schual-Berke earned the Washington Association of School Administrators 2007 Golden Gavel Award for "exceptional service contributing to the enhancement of public education in Washington."

She also received the March of Dimes Maternal and Child Health Award in recognition of "outstanding leadership to ensure lifesaving treatments for Washington's babies."