ELECTION: Derek Kilmer Takes 6th Congressional District

Democratic candidate Derek Kilmer delivered his acceptance speech in front of a cheerful crowd Tuesday Night.

More than 100 supporters helped celebrate the victory at Derek Kilmer and Friends Election Night Party at Hotel Murano in Tacoma.

The 38-year-old state senator, who attended the party with his wife Jennifer and youngest daughter Tess, thanked his supporters, campaign staff and volunteers.

“Whether you’re a Democrat, an Independent or a Republican; whether you voted for me or not, I want to thank you for participating this great democratic process,” Kilmer said. “I want to commit to working my heart out for you, and more importantly to working with you and get our economy working again and getting our country moving forward again.”

As of Wednesday night, Kilmer is ahead of his Republican opponent Bill Driscoll by nearly 39,000 votes.

“I am very grateful to Bill Driscoll, who ran a spirited campaign,” he said. “I appreciate his service to our country, and I hope that he will be a partner to me in tackling some of the challenges on issues that we agreed on over the course of this campaign.”

The Gig Harbor resident succeed long-time Congressman Norm Dicks (D-Belfair), who also attended the party. The senior congressman served 18 terms for the 6th District.

Click on the video to watch clips from his speech.

Results as of Nov. 7, 2012 at 6:45 p.m. from the Washington Secretary of State website.