Kilmer sworn in as Peninsula’s new congressman

Published 12:01 am Friday, January 4, 2013

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Derek Kilmer was officially sworn in Thursday as the North Olympic Peninsula’s first freshman congressman in more than three decades.

Already named last month to the House Armed Services Committee of the 113th Congress that convened Thursday, Kilmer also was named by Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer of Maryland to serve as an assistant whip.

“I am humbled and honored to be the voice in Congress for so many hardworking families in our community,” said Kilmer, a 1992 graduate of Port Angeles High School who now lives in Gig Harbor.

“We face many serious challenges, which is why it’s so important that Congress gets its act together from day one. I look forward to working with my colleagues from both parties on ways to create jobs, grow the economy and get results for our region.”

Following his re-election as House speaker Thursday, John Boehner, R-Ohio, swore in Kilmer at a ceremony attended by his wife, Jennifer, the Kilmers’ two daughters, Sophie and Tess, and his parents, J.C. and Marietta of Port Angeles.

Kilmer is the first freshman congressman for Clallam and Jefferson counties since 1979, when Al Swift of Everett was sworn into office. Democrat Swift’s 2nd District included the North Olympic Peninsula until a 1992 redistricting that moved the area into the 6th District of Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Belfair.

Dicks, who took office in the House of Representatives for the first time in 1977, chose last year not to seek re-election for an 18th term.

Kilmer, who turned 39 on New Year’s Day, defeated Republican Bill Driscoll in the Nov. 6 election to succeed Dicks.