(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer won’t run for reelection in 2024 [1] ['Seattle Times Political Reporter'] Date: 2023-11-09 13:30:21-08:00 U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, a moderate Democrat known for his work on economic development and modernizing Congress, will not seek reelection to a seventh term next year, he announced Thursday. Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, announced his decision in an op-ed for The Seattle Times, touting his efforts on bipartisan fixes to make Congress less dysfunctional and saying he remains optimistic despite the ongoing rancor in the country. “Things aren’t going to change overnight. But, if one reviews the progress that has been made in recent years, it’s hard not to come away feeling hopeful,” Kilmer wrote. His surprise decision — he’d already socked away $1.4 million for a reelection bid — will shake up the state’s 2024 electoral landscape, including potentially the governor’s race. In the op-ed and in a statement later sent out by his office, Kilmer cited his work leading the House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, which has passed hundreds of proposed reforms to make the legislative body function better. Kilmer, who sits on the House Appropriations Committee, also noted his work delivering infrastructure money for the economically challenged district, which stretches from Tacoma west across the Kitsap and Olympic peninsulas. Advertising Those appropriations included funds for broadband access, money for rural ports and hospitals and a major project to stave off flooding in the Aberdeen and Hoquiam area of Grays Harbor County. “I’d like to hope that the work I’ve done has provided more opportunity to folks who deserve it. I intend to continue working on these issues through the completion of my term — and beyond,” Kilmer said. While saying he’s proud of his accomplishments, Kilmer, 49, cited the personal toll on his family life that went with the elected office, which frequently kept him thousands of miles away from home in Washington, D.C. “As nourishing as this job has been, it has come with profound costs to my family. Every theatrical performance and musical recital I missed. Every family dinner that I wasn’t there for,” he said in his statement. A former state legislator, Kilmer was elected to Congress in 2012, succeeding Norm Dicks, the powerful Democrat who had served in the seat for 36 years. His announcement makes him the only member of the state’s congressional delegation to bow out of running for reelection next year. Advertising The news spurred a whirlwind of speculation about who will run for the 6th District seat. State Sen. Emily Randall, D-Bremerton, confirmed in a text message she is “strongly considering” a run but needs to talk with constituents, including, most important, her wife, before making a decision. Meanwhile, rumors were rampant in Democratic political circles that state Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz will end her gubernatorial campaign and run for Kilmer’s seat instead. Franz was notably quick out of the gate with a statement praising Kilmer on Thursday. “Derek has been a tireless advocate for Washington’s communities and natural resources. He’s served with dignity and compassion during some of our country’s most trying times. Thank you for your tireless service to our people and places, and may the force be with you, always,” Franz wrote in a post on the social media platform X, along with a photo of her with Kilmer. A spokesperson for Franz’s campaign said Thursday she had no new comment on her plans. Advertising Kilmer gave no immediate indication of his own plans after his term ends in January 2025, but he said he’d continue to “keep the pedal to the metal until my final minute on the job.” Aligned with centrist Democrats in the House, Kilmer has been a member and leader of the New Democrat Coalition, the moderate caucus that has been led by a fellow Washingtonian, U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Medina. Kilmer was easily reelected to his sixth term last year, taking 60% of the vote against Republican challenger Elizabeth Kreiselmaier. As of Thursday, no candidate has yet reported any campaign challenging Kilmer, who had raised more than $900,000 this year for his reelection campaign, and was sitting on $1.4 million cash on hand, according to the Federal Election Commission. [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/u-s-rep-derek-kilmer-wont-run-for-reelection-in-2024/ Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/