The 6th District congressional race focused on economic and reproductive rights

STATE OF WASHINGTON – The rain was reliable in the 6th District, and so were the voters. But in this election, both candidates feel they can draw on the purple hues that have long colored the Olympic Peninsula.

State Senators Emily Randall and Drew MacEwen have worked together in the Legislature for years and are trying to replace Congressman Derek Kilmer, who is resigning his seat.

Randall, the Bremerton Democrat, and MacEwen, the Shelton Republican, both point to data that they say supports their arguments in a congressional district that has elected a Democrat for six decades and their respective campaigns focus on policy positions rather than personal attacks aligned.

“I think Drew and I are both interested in politics. We care about our communities and we are not the type of people who attack each other,” Randall said in an interview. “We are both running in purple districts and know what it means to appeal to voters from all parties.” I would like to see a little more warmth at the national level.”

“Our policies are fair game, and we should debate them vigorously,” MacEwen said. “She is not my enemy. She is my political opponent. The enemy is the guy who invaded Ukraine, the Chinese Communist Party, who want to take over Taiwan.”

Based on previous data, Randall appears to be ahead, winning the primaries that included MacEwen and Hilary Franz. But MacEwen takes stock of the fact that he was the leading vote-getter in three of the county's six precincts and the three with the highest unemployment rates in Western Washington.

For this reason, speaking about economic issues is his top priority.

“Let’s start working toward debt reduction at the federal level. “That will help on the interest rate side,” MacEwen said explicitly. He also said he did not share other Republicans' views on sweeping tariffs, noting that they would affect a range of district voters in the timber, agriculture and shellfish industries. “I don’t support that. I'm a free trade Reagan Republican when it comes to economics, so if you do a blanket tariff program, I think that has a lot of negative consequences. There are times when you need targeted tariffs and you need to make sure you're trying to achieve free trade, but I don't think that's the way to go, just imposing a blanket tariff.”

Randall agrees, saying, “In the end, it rightly amounts to a high sales tax on working people and our industry, and we need to make sure we don't end up in tariff wars.”

She also believes more should be done at the federal level to support colleges and that this could stimulate the economy. “I think, especially in rural communities, community and technical colleges can be an economic hub for good jobs and good job training. While we have expanded financial assistance at the state level, we still need to do much more at the national level.”

Otherwise, she cites reproductive freedom and health care as the biggest issues facing her potential electorate. Randall also said, “I think we need to do more to make sure health care is affordable and accessible to people, but that looks to me like building on the success of the Affordable Care Act, not health care.” abolish the one who saved man.” lives.”

MacEwen believes the ACA should be adjusted after several challenges during the Trump administration. “We should be able to purchase health insurance across state lines, which increases supply and helps drive down prices on the insurance side of the aisle. I also advocate for price transparency, and we need to loosen the controls that dictate where we get health care from based on what policy we have.”

As for abortion, which is a driving force for voters across the country, MacEwen said, “I recognize that this is a very sensitive issue for people on both sides of the aisle.” I respect the will of the voters Washington State. I will not vote for a national ban and I can probably say that a million times.”

They were both asked what they think about what will happen next Tuesday.

“I feel really good,” Randall said. “The mood in the district is good.”

MacEwen put it a little differently. “It depends on voter turnout,” he said. “I am confident that when voters hear my campaign’s message and compare it to my opponent’s message, they will make the decision to elect me.”