Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.) announced Thursday he would not seek reelection to his western Washington seat, opening up a constituency he’s held since 2013.
“As nourishing as this job has been, it has come with profound costs to my family,” he wrote in a statement. “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 hope they will forgive me for that.”
Kilmer has been a prominent member of the New Democrat Coalition throughout his time in Congress and also chaired the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress during the prior session.
His seat should remain in Democratic hands, with the district voting by double digits for President Joe Biden in 2020.
