Times endorses McDermott for re-election to Congress

Our news partner, The Seattle Times, has endorsed incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott for re-election in the 7th Congressional District, noting he has no credible challengers in the Aug. 5 primary.

A Feb. 15 Times editorial said that none of the challengers to McDermott or to 9th District Congressman Adam Smith make a strong case for replacing either incumbent.

“Twenty-six years in office is a long time,” the Times said, “but McDermott grasps issues important to the 7th District better than his four fringe challengers. 

“Trained as a psychiatrist, he provides an important voice in the uphill battle to fix, not repeal, the Affordable Care Act. McDermott specifically wants to negotiate prices on pharmaceuticals, change how medical education is paid for so doctors serve areas that need the most help, revise the Medicaid payment system and cut down on fraud. 

“Though an unabashed liberal, McDermott is working across the aisle by co-sponsoring a bill with U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Penn., to reform aspects of the nation’s troubled psychiatric crisis response system. 

“Seattle voters would probably benefit from a fresh perspective in Washington, D.C., but with no viable challengers in this race, they ought to stick with McDermott.”

See the rest of the Times editorial here

Joining McDermott on the primary ballot are Republicans Craig Keller and Scott Sutherland, independent Doug McQuaid, and Goodspaceguy, who lists his party preference as “Work and Wealth Party.”

The top vote getters in the primary qualify for the November ballot, regardless of party.

The 7th Congressional District includes Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Edmonds, Woodway. most of Seattle and some of Seattle’s southwest suburbs.