Emily Randall announces campaign for Derek Kilmer's Sixth Congressional District seat

Sen. Emily Randall of the state's 26th Legislative District announced Thursday that she will run for Congress to represent the Sixth Congressional District, a week after Rep. Derek Kilmer said he won't seek reelection in 2024.

Randall, who follows fellow Democrat Hilary Franz in announcing a campaign for the office, stated her decision to run for the seat on social media.

"As a state senator, I carried your stories with me to Olympia. Stories about health care, housing, safety, affordability and protecting our democracy. Now, I want to bring these stories to Congress," Randall said in a video. "This decision isn't about where I fit in. It's about how I can serve you."

The 26th District includes parts of Bremerton and runs south through Gorst, Port Orchard and Gig Harbor. Randall was elected to the state Senate in 2018.

Also included in the video were words of support from state Sen. T'wina Nobles of the 28th legislative district, FMR. Suquamish Tribal Council Member Robin Little Wing Sigo, Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, Pierce County Councilor Robyn Denson and Sequim City Councilor Vicki Lowe.

Randall's announcement came seven days after Kilmer, who's served the Sixth Congressional District since 2013, said he will not run for the seat in 2024. The current state senator will have at least one opponent in Franz, the state's Public Lands Commissioner who is dropping her bid for the governor’s office to run for Kilmer's seat.

In addition, current state 35th District Sen. Drew MacEwen announced an exploratory committee for the Sixth District seat and could confirm his intentions by the end of the month.

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Emily Randall to run for Sixth Congressional District seat