Rep. McDermott won't run again in 2016

[countryjake]

2. Lots of speculation on who might get his spot in the House...

but whoever runs, they'll find that he's leaving some mighty big shoes to fill. McDermott has without fail been on the people's side of almost every issue and his fighting spirit, his progressive vote, will be missed (in both Washingtons).

As Fourteen-Term Congressman Jim McDermott Announces Retirement, the List of Possible Replacements Grows by Heidi Groover ~ Jan 4, 2016

http://www.thestranger.com/blogs/slog/2016/01/04/23339614/fourteen-term-congressman-jim-mcdermott-announces-retirement

~snip~

High on the list of suspected candidates-to-be is King County Council Member Joe McDermott. He did not immediately return a request for comment. Some people also think Seattle City Council member Kshama Sawant could jump in. That's possible, but it's hard to see how that makes much sense—either for her priorities or her personal brand, which already has a national reach. Her campaign manager did not immediately return a request for comment. The 7th Congressional District covers much of Seattle, Shoreline, Edmonds, and Vashon Island.

Already, along with Walkinshaw, an unknown "small business owner in Edmonds" named Jeff Stilwell has sent out a statement saying he's running for the seat. Stilwell is calling for an end to the wage gap, two years of free college, "global wi-fi," and a "space elevator." (It's like Goodspaceguy all over again.)

An open race also makes high-profile endorsements more competitive. While labor unions and other large groups often side with incumbents, a race with no incumbent means they could endorse an upstart with less experience, like Walkinshaw...

~snip~

President Barack Obama sent out this statement about McDermott's retirement this afternoon:

For more than 40 years, Jim McDermott has worked tirelessly on behalf of the people of Washington State. As a state legislator, he helped pass laws that offered healthcare to unemployed and low-income Washingtonians, the first such program in the nation. In the United States Congress, he continued to be a much-needed voice for his most vulnerable constituents. Across America, you'll find families that are better off because Jim McDermott was fighting for them. I'm grateful for Jim's service, and Michelle and I wish him all the best in whatever the future holds.