Kilmer won't seek House reelection

U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, announced Nov. 9 that he won’t see reelection to Washington’s 6th Congressional District in 2024.

The Port Angeles native, who was a member of the state Legislature before being elected to Congress in 2012, said, “I’m excited to start a new chapter when my term is complete.” He also cited a desire to spend more time with his children.

The announcement by Kilmer, 49, set off ripples across Washington’s political landscape, most notably Hilary Franz, the state’s Public Lands commissioner, dropped out of the governor’s race to run for the congressional seat a...