Former State Rep. Toby Nixon of Kirkland’s 45th District has found a new direction in public life. Nixon announced that he will run against Nancy Lindquist for King County Fire Protection District 41 Commissioner.

District 41 works with the City of Kirkland to provide fire and EMS service to most of the unincorporated area north of Kirkland now being proposed for annexation, including the Finn Hill, North Juanita and Kingsgate areas.

A strong proponent of the proposed annexation those areas, Nixon also lives in the Kingsgate neighborhood.

“Seeing that there was an open seat on the District 41 Commission, and not being otherwise occupied in public office at the moment, I decided to pursue my interest once again and seek the office,” said Nixon, through his Web site. “My top priority this summer is, of course, working on successful annexation of Kingsgate, North Juanita, and Finn Hill into Kirkland. But once the annexation vote is complete, being on the Fire District 41 Commission will enable me to be closely involved in smoothly transitioning District 41 into Kirkland.”

One of the biggest issues of potential annexation is how it would impact fire protection for the area served by Station 34, which is located in the annexation area but also serves parts of Woodinville. The stations is also small and in need of repairs.

“Shutting down that station after annexation is not an answer,” said Nixon. “There have been some proposals that need to be explored.”

One of those options are staffing Station 34 jointly with Bothell and Woodinville.

Nixon said that with or without the annexation, as Fire Commissioner he wants better community outreach.

“I had a hard time getting information on District 41,” said Nixon. “I’d like to at least see a Web site. That takes very little investment and it is easy to do.”

Although the Fire Commissioner position is non-partisan, Nixon has been a prominent Republican in the area for awhile. Most notably, Nixon was the State Rep. for the 45th District from 2002-2007. Nixon decided to leave his seat to run for state senate and was not elected.

Challenger Nancy Lindquist, who owns Lindquist & Associates, is wife of former Kirkland Deputy Fire Chief Rex Lindquist.