Kris Lytton has scheduled the formal kick-off of her campaign for a seat in the state House of Representatives for April 12, 5-7 p.m., at Gere-a-Deli, 502 Commercial Ave., in Anacortes.

Supporters Duncan Frazier and Wallie Funk, both former editor/publishers of the Anacortes American, are sponsoring the event, which will feature light food and drink, along with a no-host bar.

Lytton has appeared at a number of small neighborhood gatherings and has spent much of the past few months meeting with a wide range of civic leaders to discuss issues of importance to the people of the 40th Legislative District. She is running for the seat currently held by Dave Quall, who has announced he will not seek re-election.

Lytton is president of the Anacortes School Board, grew up on a farm and is a former business executive. She “understands the importance of money and hard work and will make sure that small businesses don’t get overburdened with increased government spending,” a campaign press release stated. “She will work for incentives and other measures to encourage the startup of new businesses and the creation of new jobs.”

In the press release, Lytton said she is excited about the possibility of working with Republicans and Democrats in the state Legislature. “I’ve got a lifetime of community involvement and working with people to get the real work done. I have strong Democratic values but don’t have the partisan baggage of insider politics.”

Lytton said she will bring her “strong desire to improve the education of our youth with higher standards and stable state funding” to her job in Olympia.

Lytton’s campaign Web site address is www.krislytton.com

Lytton, a Democrat, is one of four candidates for Quall’s position in the state House. The others are Democrat Thomas Boucher, a member of Congressman Rick Larsen’s district staff; Republican Mike Newman, a real estate agent and Skagit County Republican Party precinct committee officer; and Democrat Tom Pasma, a Bow rancher and former chairman of the 40th Legislative District Democrats.

Under Washington law, the top two vote-getters in the Aug. 17 primary — regardless of party — advance to the Nov. 2 general election.