Queer Democratic Washington state Senator Emily Randall declared victory Thursday morning in her primary race for her state's 6th District U.S. House seat. She is poised to become the first LGBTQ Latina sent to Congress.
According to the latest vote count, Randall came in first with 33.85% of ballots cast in the August 6 contest. Republican state Senator Drew MacEwen took second with 30.32%.
Only the top two vote-getters regardless of party affiliation advance to the November 5 ballot to compete to succeed Congressmember Derek Kilmer (D-Gig Harbor) and represent Washington state's Puget Sound region. It is expected to be a safe seat for the Democrats to keep in their column.
"I am thrilled that we won the primary and are moving on to the general election, and that we did it with a positive and unifying campaign," stated Randall in an August 8 release. "Since we launched our campaign last fall, I've been overwhelmed and overjoyed by the outpouring of grassroots support from across the 6th Congressional District."
The media had called the race Wednesday evening. Democratic Washington public lands commissioner Hilary Franz, who had Kilmer's endorsement, landed in third with 25.49% of the primary vote. She conceded that evening and congratulated Randall on her first-place finish.
"I've called Senator Randall to congratulate her on her historic primary win, and it is time for all of us to work harder than ever so we can flip the House, defeat Donald Trump, and defend our democracy," stated Franz.
Randall is one election away from becoming the first out member of the Evergreen State's congressional delegation. A victory by her in November would also double the number of West Coast states with LGBTQ congressmembers.
"I will continue to campaign hard over the next few months as I work to keep the 6th District in Democratic hands, make history as the first queer Latina member of Congress, and keep delivering results for regular, working people," stated Randall. "I am honored to continue the legacy of Congressman Norm Dicks and Congressman Derek Kilmer, who both went to D.C. and fought for our communities time and time again over the past 48 years."
She would serve alongside gay Latino Congressmember Robert Garcia (D-Long Beach). He and gay Congressmember Mark Takano (D-Riverside), who both endorsed Randall, are expected to easily win their reelection bids in November, ensuring California's congressional delegation continues to have LGBTQ representation.
Several out House candidates this year in the Bay Area and Southern California are hoping to join them on Capitol Hill. Seeing Oregon also have out congressional representation came to an end in May when neither of the two LGBTQ candidates survived their primary races.
A former Oakland resident with in-laws who live in the Bay Area, Randall in 2015 and 2016 had managed institutional partnerships for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. She left to work for Planned Parenthood.
With her partner of 19 years, Alison Leahey, working at the time for Microsoft, the women had relocated to Washington state in 2017. Today, Leahey works as a carpenter in the construction field.
Randall was born and raised in Port Orchard on the Kitsap Peninsula, which is part of the 6th Congressional District. It also includes the cities of Tacoma and Bremerton, where Randall and Leahey own their home.
Upset by the 2016 election of Donald Trump as president, Randall decided to seek public office herself. With her win six years ago to the 26th Senate District in her state Legislature, Randall became the first Latina elected to represent it. Claire Wilson, a lesbian who grew up in Seattle, also won a Senate seat that November.
They became the first out women elected to their Legislature's upper chamber and both won second terms in 2022. Wilson endorsed Randall in the House race.
In both of her legislative races, Randall faced a tough contest against her Republican opponent. She entered the congressional race viewed as an underdog but proved to be a formidable contender.
Washington State's senior U.S. senator, Democrat Patty Murray, sole endorsed Randall in the race. Randall also in recent weeks picked up endorsements from her state's former governors Gary Locke and Christine Gregoire.
"Thank you to everyone who has supported our campaign, and thank you most of all to my wife, Alison, who made this victory possible," stated Randall.
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