State Rep. Roger Goodman, D-Kirkland is dropping out of the congressional race and will seek a fourth term in the 45th District state house, he announced on Thursday.
The Kirkland resident, who raised nearly $250,000, said that is still not enough to compete in the primary against such self-funded candidates as Suzan DelBene, a former Microsoft vice president.
“Today I face a fork in the road,” said Goodman in a press release. “Having campaigned hard in this huge, new ‘swing’ congressional district, and working under the brutally relentless pressure to raise the startling amount of money now needed for congressional campaigns, I have decided to continue representing my constituents in the State Legislature, to build on a strong record and to keep making a real difference here at home.”
The new 1st District goes north through less populated and traditionally more conservative areas and includes Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom counties, up to the Canadian border.
Goodman’s withdrawal narrows the field of candidates to replace former U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee in the 1st Congressional District to seven candidates, with one month remaining until the filing deadline.
Inslee vacated the seat last month to focus on his campaign for governor.
Goodman’s announcement on Friday also caused a candidate to drop his bid for the 45th District, Pos. 1 seat. Kirkland resident Eric Laliberte, who launched an early bid for Goodman’s seat in October 2011, said Thursday he is withdrawing his candidacy and “will fully support Rep. Goodman’s efforts to win re-election.”
The two other candidates who have filed with the Public Disclosure Commission to run for the 45th District seat include Democrat Jacob L. Bond, who lives in Kirkland’s Juanita neighborhood, and Republican Joel Hussey, of Redmond.
Goodman said he looks forward to expanding his legislative work to “build community, to promote economic development, to improve the safety of our neighborhoods and roadways and to help build a better foundation for our kids’ success in school.”
