McDermott challenger says ‘It’s time to have a check on our priorities’

Twenty-seven years after being elected to Congress, Jim McDermott finally has a viable challenger.

State Rep. Brady Walkinshaw, 31, is trying to unseat the 14-term Democratic incumbent of Washington’s 7th District.

Walkinshaw told KIRO Radio’s Jason Rantz that the Central Puget Sound region is becoming “world class.” There is tremendous opportunity. However, the benefits of that growth are not widely shared.

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Rantz asked whether that could be because McDermott is out of touch with changes and realities.

“I have a lot of respect for the congressman,” Walkinshaw responded. “I think he’s represented the district really well.

“I think we’re at a stage where we’re ready for the next progressive leader.”

Washington’s 7th District encompasses most of Seattle, Vashon Island, and northern cities, including Edmonds and Shoreline. The region is quickly growing, with more than 100 projects that have been completed in downtown Seattle since January 2014. It’s also an area struggling with an increasing income gap, affordable housing and homelessness. There’s also increasing traffic problems across the map, he added.

“I believe these are challenges that we have the opportunity to really meet,” Walkinshaw said.

Rantz still wanted to know why Walkinshaw would want to oust McDermott. If he’s continued to do good work for the region, why change? Is it that McDermott is too old?

“It’s not that it’s time for new blood…,” Walkinshaw responded. “It’s time to have a check on our priorities and have a conversation in the community about a region that’s changed a lot…”

Listen to the entire conversation.