SEQUIM — State Rep. Kevin Van De Wege announced Monday that he will seek a third two-year term in the state House of Representatives.
Van De Wege, D-Sequim, follows his Democratic seat mate, Rep. Steve Tharinger of the Sequim-Dungeness Valley, who announced that he’ll seek a second term during the Clallam County Democratic Convention on April 29.
State Sen. Jim Hargrove, D-Hoquiam, also will run for re-election to a sixth term.
All three legislators represent the 24th District, which includes all of Clallam and Jefferson counties and part of Grays Harbor County.
Van De Wege, a Clallam County Fire District No. 3 firefighter/paramedic who holds the rank of lieutenant, holds the Democratic position of majority whip in the part-time state Legislature.
He announced Monday through the Clallam Democratic Committee that he will hold a fundraiser for Democratic congressional candidate Derek Kilmer, who is now a state senator from Gig Harbor.
Van De Wege joined most other Democratic office-holders in the 6th Congressional District, including the departing incumbent, Norm Dicks, in
endorsing Kilmer.
Hargrove said Monday he does not make political endorsements.
The 6th District includes the North Olympic Peninsula and portions of Kitsap, Mason, Grays Harbor and Pierce counties extending to Tacoma.
Kilmer is the only announced Democrat running against at least four Republicans in the top-two primary election to be held in August.
The Kilmer fundraiser will be held Saturday at
9 a.m. at Van De Wege’s Sequim home, at which a $30 minimum donation will be requested.
Further information on the event is available by contacting Kilmer aide Matthew Randazzo at 360-460-8823 or at matthew@derekkilmer.com.
