Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) released the following statement on U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer’s (WA-06) announcement that he will not seek re-election in 2024:
“Congressman Derek Kilmer has faithfully served the Puget Sound for decades, and I am proud to call him a colleague and a dear friend.
The state of Washington and our nation are stronger and more resilient because of his leadership. Derek has been a champion for federal support of the health and restoration of the Sound, he has been an advocate for our tribal nations, he has consistently supported economic opportunity for all people, and he has been a fierce advocate for our military service-members – particularly those living and stationed in Kitsap County.
I am appreciative of our long-standing working relationship that started when I was Mayor of Tacoma. Derek has been an important partner in the fight for our democracy and never lost sight of why our communities sent us to Washington D.C. – to govern for the people. While I’m disappointed that my friend will not seek re-election in 2024, I look forward to working alongside him for the next year.”
U.S. Representative Marilyn Strickland serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. She is the Congressional Black Caucus whip, a member of the New Democrat Coalition, one of the first Korean-American women elected to Congress, and the first African-American elected to represent the Pacific Northwest at the federal level.
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