MacEwen formally enters 6th District race

State Sen. Drew MacEwen, R-Shelton, formally announced Monday that he is running for Washington’s 6th Congressional District seat.

The seat is held by Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, who announced last month that he would not seek reelection in 2024.

“After spending the past month listening to voters, prayer, and discussing with my family, I am excited to announce I am running to represent the 6th Congressional District in the 2024 election,” MacEwen wrote in a statement. “I have a proven track record of winning elections, working on bipartisan solutions, and strongly advocating for my district at the state level. I will take this same approach to Congress.”

The race has drawn several other candidates, perhaps most notably Hilary Franz, the state’s Commissioner of Public Lands.

MacEwen was elected to the state Senate from the 35th Legislative District in 2022, capturing a seat formerly held by Tim Sheldon, who retired after more than 30 years in the state Legislature.

MacEwen was in the state House for five terms from 2012-2022.

In the Senate, MacEwen is the ranking member on the Energy, Environment, and Technology Committee. He is also on the Transportation, Labor and Commerce, and the Business and Financial Services committees.

“Voters are concerned on many fronts. Inflation has taken a toll on families, infrastructure issues, education issues, and a growing threat to our national security weighs heavily on the minds of voters,” MacEwen said in the statement. “My time in the Navy, being a small business owner, and having represented citizens at the state level for over 11 years gives me a unique perspective and qualification to serve the citizens of the 6th Congressional District. We need to rebuild our Navy, repair our infrastructure, ensure a strong economy, and provide every opportunity for our children to succeed. I look forward to representing the hard-working families of the … district. I am all in.”

MacEwen, who lives in rural Mason County with his wife, Danielle, spent six years in the Navy Submarine Force and is a small business owner.