Mike Cooper made it official that he intends to seek a full term as Edmonds mayor, filing for office Monday morning. His sole opponent so far is former Edmonds City Councilmember Dave Earling, who declared his candidacy May 23.

“Edmonds is the town I grew up in,” Cooper said. “My family has had a commitment to serving the people of our community since my father came here in 1965 to become the city’s first paid fire chief.’ Cooper himself became a volunteer firefighter at the age of 18 and later made it a career, serving 25 years in Shoreline before retiring as a Lieutenant.

Cooper said campaign will be focused on putting people first. “City government is about people; our residents and workers alike.  The quality of life of those who work and live here is my highest priority,” he said in a news release issued Monday.

A former state legislator and Snohomish County Councilmember (he left the county council after the Edmonds City Council voted to appoint him to replace Mayor Gary Haakenson, who resigned). Cooper said he will continue his “honest approach to elected office,” which has been key to his success.  “There are no hidden agendas with me,” he said.  “Just straight talk.”

As a legislator and county councilmember, Cooper said he fought to make sure Edmonds didn’t become a landing zone for commercial air carriers at Paine Field, secured state funding for waterfront parks and worked tirelessly to support and fund the Edmonds Center for the Arts.

As mayor, Cooper said, he has “worked tirelessly” to help the city reduce energy costs by supporting a solar project on the Frances Anderson Center building and by pledging that the city will reduce energy consumption 20 percent by 2020. “These actions will save the city thousands of dollars a year in energy costs,” Cooper said.

Congressman Jay Inslee has endorsed Cooper, calling him “a strong champion for the city and for working families. I’m proud to support his continued service.”

Cooper and his wife Chrystal live in the historic home he grew up in.  They have three married children and three grandchildren.