US Rep. Derek Kilmer announces he won't seek reelection to Congress in 2024

U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, announced Thursday that he won't seek reelection in 2024, and by Friday at least one Democratic candidate had emerged and a local Republican expressed some initial interest.

Kilmer, who has represented the 6th District in the House of Representatives since 2013, announced the decision in a lengthy – and personal – statement on Thursday, saying in part, "In a letter I recently shared with my kids, I told them what I am now sharing with the folks I represent: I will not seek re-election next year."

"I’ve looked at life in chapters," he added. "The decade I spent working in economic development. The eight years I spent in the Washington State Legislature. The nearly eleven years I’ve already spent in the U.S. House of Representatives. I never intended for this chapter to be something I’d do for the rest of my life, and – as I shared with my kids – I’m excited to start a new chapter when my term is complete."

Kilmer, 49, and his wife, Jennifer, have two daughters, Sophie and Aven. The Port Angeles native entered politics in 2005 when he was elected to the Washington State House of Representatives from the 26th District. He moved over to the state Senate in 2007, and served through 2012, when he succeeded longtime Sixth District Rep. Norm Dicks. Kilmer had worked in economic development in Pierce County prior to that.

Kilmer has been known for his support of Kitsap's military community, fighting for issues of pay equity for service members and ensuring retirement benefits for shipyard workers, to name a few pieces of legislation he sponsored, or arguing against reductions in service at Naval Hospital Bremerton.

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Kilmer has also been well known as a moderate member of the Democratic Caucus in Washington, D.C., leading the bipartisan Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, which has enacted several measures to help Congress function more efficiently and effectively, and joining a regular group of younger Republicans and Democrats who meet over meals to foster bipartisanship. He also helped lead what's known as the New Democratic Coalition, a moderate group of Democrats focused on problem-solving.

He was last reelected in 2022, when he garnered more than 60% of the vote in a race against Republican Elizabeth Kreiselmaier. He also fended off a primary challenge from the left that year, coming from Democrat Rebecca Parson.

On Friday morning, Washington state Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz said she is dropping her bid for the governor’s office to run for Congress.

Franz, a Democrat and former Bainbridge Island resident who now lives in Grays Harbor County, said she decided to run for Congress after speaking with voters across Washington and learning of their concerns: rising prices, reproductive freedom and women’s rights, the future of democracy, the support of veterans and military families and the climate crisis.

“The challenges we face extend beyond the borders of Washington, and so must our solutions,” Franz said in a statement Friday. "I am running for Congress to bring my vision for bold, transformative action to our nation’s capital and keep fighting for families across our region.”

The potential Republican challenge was floated by Sen. Drew MacEwen, who represents the 35th District and was also the district's state representative for five terms, from 2013 until moving over to the Senate in the 2023 election. MacEwen said he's formed an "exploratory committee" to look at the potential race and expects to make a decision after Thanksgiving.

“As I have represented a large part of the 6th at the state level for over 11 years, I am very familiar with the issues constituents face," a statement read. "Inflation, education, infrastructure issues, and a gathering threat against our nation across the world weigh heavily on the minds of many. From my ties to the Navy as a former submariner and my time in the state legislature I am uniquely qualified to represent the 6th in DC.”

MacEwen, a Navy veteran who served on submarines based out of Bangor and entered politics out of his business and finance career, lives in Mason County.

Kilmer also wrote in the statement Thursday: "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. The distance I felt from my family for months after the events of January 6th. I am conscious that I didn’t always deliver in the way I wanted; and I hope they will forgive me for that. And I hope they know that I was really trying my best to make the world better for them.

"For me, that work isn’t complete. For one, there’s a lot to do, and I intend to keep the pedal to the metal until my final minute on the job. I’m a pretty young guy with more chapters in me. My plan is to ensure those chapters enable me to continue to make a positive difference. And I’d sure like to make a bit more time for those I love."

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Election 2024: Derek Kilmer won't seek reelection to Congress