PORT TOWNSEND — Ask Paul Richmond if he thinks a run against U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks is a David-versus-Goliath challenge, and he kicks back a smile and a quick response.
“David is my middle name,” said the 46-year-old Port Townsend attorney, who is considering taking aim at upsetting Dicks, D-Belfair, from within Dicks’ own party.
Richmond, who said he would run as a Democrat, plans to announce his candidacy for the 6th District congressional seat this week — if he decides to take the political plunge for the November election.
“The congressman usually doesn’t comment until the opponent files for the office,” said George Behan, spokesman for the North Olympic Peninsula’s congressman, who has served in the House since 1977.
“He expects that there will be competition, and he looks forward to a race on the issues and on his record of service to the 6th District.”
Dicks is the third-ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, serving on three subcommittees.
He is the chairman of the Appropriations Interior subcommittee and is a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security.
Richmond, who moved about a year ago from Seattle — where he lived for 20 years — to Port Townsend to enjoy its quality of life, said his interest in running was piqued after hearing Dicks’ positions at a Jefferson County Democratic Party gathering last year.
