Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, announced Monday that he will run for Washington state’s 6th Congressional District seat, which is being vacated by longtime Rep. Norm Dicks.
"My job is creating jobs," said Kilmer, who has represented the 26th Legislative District since 2007 and is the Pierce County Economic Development Board vice president.
“When I’m not in Olympia, my job is to work with businesses in Pierce County to help them grow and thrive. We could use more folks in Washington who are focused on creating more jobs with better pay, and that’s what I’ll do in the U.S. House of Representatives.”
Reports of Kilmer's possible candidacy circulated after Dicks, D-Belfair, announced his decision Friday.
“Norm Dicks may be the best congressman in the history of Washington state. No one can fill his shoes, but I’ll work to continue his legacy of fighting for jobs and standing up for the little guy," Kilmer said.
The 6th District includes Gig Harbor, University Place and parts of Lakewood.
Kilmer and his wife, , live in Gig Harbor with their two girls, Sophie and Tess.
