Gig Harbor emergency room doctor Nathan Schlicher was chosen this past Thursday to succeed Derek Kilmer in the State Senate.

Kitsap and Pierce county commissioners voted 9-1 to offer the job to Schlicher who had previously been tapped by the 26th Legislative District Democratic precinct committee officers Dec. 27.

Kilmer, also a Gig Harbor Democrat, resigned his seat to make a successful run for Congress in the 6th District to replace Norm Dicks following Dicks’ retirement.

The bipartisan support from across the councils was humbling,” Schlicher wrote in an announcement to supporters. “I look forward to working to represent all of the members of the district from all parties and perspectives to the best of my ability.”

Schlicher will serve in the Senate until November when there will be an election to determine who holds it for the final year of the term to which Kilmer was elected in 2010. Port Orchard Republican Jan Angel has already said she will run for the seat and Schlicher has wasted no time in starting to campaign.

“While I look forward with excitement to the session, I also recognize a difficult campaign lies ahead in November,” he wrote. “As a result, we are using every moment prior to the freeze to fundraise and establish our campaign process.”

Schlicher has asked supporters to donate, spread the word and “be ready to hit the ground running after the (legislative) session.”