Randall captures 6th Congressional District race
State Sen. Emily Randall has been elected to represent Washington's 6th Congressional District, filling an open seat vacated by outgoing Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor.
Randall, D-Bremerton, carried 57.3% of the vote in general election, as of Tuesday night. That put her well ahead of State Sen. Drew MacEwen, R-Union, who has 42.6% and trails by about 43,000 votes.
"We did more than win this election: we made history," Randall said in a statement sent to media and her supporters Tuesday night. "Together, we shattered three glass ceilings. When I take office in January, I will become the first congresswoman and first person of color to hold this seat, the first openly LGBTQ person to represent Washington state in Congress, and the first ever queer Latina member of Congress."
She also credited her two predecessors, Kilmer and longtime district representative Norm Dicks, as well as her wife, Alison.
MacEwen said in a statement he had called Randall to concede and offer his congratulations. Going forward he pledge to work with her on issues impacting his legislative district.
"While this is certainly not the outcome we worked for, we knew it would be a tough uphill battle," MacEwen said. "Thank you to all who put their faith, money, and time into this campaign. It is very humbling to see the support I had. I am forever grateful. God Bless”
The race between the pair of state legislators was set off after Kilmer announced he would not seek re-election. That left an open seat in the geographically diverse congressional district, which includes the Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas, Gig Harbor and part of Tacoma.
The district has long been favorable to Democrats. A Republican has not won election in over 60 years and prior to this campaign it had been at least a decade since a GOP challenger had elected experience.
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Randall, a two-term state senator from Bremerton, was the heavy frontrunner coming into Tuesday's election. Raised near Port Orchard, she was first elected to public office in 2018 representing the 26th Legislative District. Prior to her political career she worked at several nonprofits, including Planned Parenthood. She will be the first woman to hold office in the district's 90-year history.
MacEwen, a state senator from Union representing Washington's 35th Legislative District, has spent over a decade in state politics, primarily as member of the House. He owns a financial investment firm and served as a Navy submariner stationed at Naval Base Bangor.
This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Election Results 2024: Washington 6th Congressional District race