OLYMPIA — State Sen. Emily Randall has emerged as the new U.S. Representative for the 6th Congressional District, beating out rival state Sen. Drew MacEwen with 57.3 percent of the vote.
Randall, D-Bremerton, said that, in her new position, she is “committed to fighting hard for the issues that we care about.”
One of her top priorities is healthcare.
“Over and over, I heard concerns about reproductive freedom and abortion access,” when she campaigned, Randall said. “It looks like we will have a bigger fight ahead of us then we would have if the national results had gone a different way.”
In addition, Randall said she wants to work toward better healthcare access in rural communities, an issue that she said can be “truly bipartisan.”
However, Randall said “what is on my wish list and what is possible are two different things.”
To be an effective representative, Randall said she will work to establish relationships with colleagues “across the country and on both sides of the aisle.”
“That’s what served me well in Olympia,” she said.
Randall will take over for U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, who chose not to run for reelection.
In a press release, MacEwen, R-Shelton, said he called Randall on Tuesday night to offer his congratulations and “pledge to work together on issues affecting my legislative district.”
“I will take some time to reflect on what I have learned over the past year during this campaign and look forward to getting back to work in the State Senate this January,” the press release read.
A majority of voters across the North Olympic Peninsula voted for Randall. In Clallam County, she garnered 53.1 percent of the vote. In Jefferson County, she received 72.8 percent of the vote.
The 6th Congressional District covers both those counties as well as Kitsap County and parts of Grays Harbor, Mason and Pierce counties.
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Reporter Emma Maple can be reached by email at emma.maple@peninsuladailynews.com.
Drew MacEwen.
