PORT ANGELES — U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, a Gig Harbor Democrat, took his bows Wednesday in an email after handily defeating his 6th Congressional District general election challenger, Todd Bloom, whom he met once at a forum in Port Angeles.
“I’m honored that folks in our region have decided to give me the opportunity to be their voice in our nation’s capital again,” said Kilmer, a Port Angeles native.
“I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and help get our economy and our Congress working for everyone.”
According to the state Secretary of State’s Office, Kilmer had 135,251, or 62 percent of votes cast as of late Wednesday afternoon, compared to 81,965, or 38 percent, for Bloom, a Tacoma certified public accountant and a political newcomer.
The district has more than 433,000 voters and includes Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor and Kitsap counties, as well as portions of Mason and Pierce counties.
Clallam and Jefferson counties combined have about 75,000 voters.
Clallam voters chose Kilmer by 57 percent as of Tuesday, while Jefferson County voters gave Kilmer 70 percent as of Wednesday.
Bloom conceded Wednesday that he had lost the election but did not call Kilmer to concede.
“I don’t see a lot of point in it, frankly,” Bloom said.
The two first met in person at an Oct. 12 Clallam County League of Women Voters forum in Port Angeles.
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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 55650, or at paul.gottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.