North Miami Beach council member John Patrick Julien will seek a seat in the state House of Representatives next year, hoping to take the place of term-limited Rep. Yolly Roberson.

His campaign is part of a domino-falling move by three Democrats: Julien is seeking the District 104 seat held by Roberson, who's bidding for the congressional seat held by U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, who's running to replace U.S. Sen. George S. LeMieux, R-Fla. LeMieux was appointed by Gov. Charlie Crist to finish the term of Mel Martinez, who retired.

Julien filed documents with Miami-Dade County's elections department in October -- although he has made no mention of his plans during recent city meetings.

The bid for higher office, he said, stemmed from a desire to better ``protect the municipality I'm serving.''

``I have local experience,'' he said. ``I understand what municipalities go through when they balance a budget.''

According to state election records, Julien is facing competition from five others who are also running for the seat: Richard Champagne, Michael A. Hepburn, Marilyn Leslie Maloy, Dominique Simon and Joshua Kon. All but the last candidate is a Democrat, and the district is a distinct shade of blue with 73 percent of voters registered as Democrats.

``I would be able to hit the ground totally running, as opposed to the other individuals who are running for that seat,'' Julien said during an interview Monday, adding that he is the only candidate with experience as a politician.

Julien, who remains one of the more vocal members of the North Miami Beach council, said he will balance his election campaign with his city work, holding on to his position until shortly before election day next November.

Upon his resignation, the council would have to choose a replacement.

Julien, who is on his third two-year council term, said his decision to forgo reelection in 2011 would also benefit North Miami Beach taxpayers: It would prevent him from receiving lifetime health benefits awarded to council members who are elected for four terms.

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