Friends,

Like a lot of people, it's getting harder for me to read stories in the newspaper about Congress.  We've got real problems that need to be solved -- from helping small businesses get back on their feet, to protecting our environment, to dealing with long-term structural challenges facing our nation.  And yet, the discourse in our nation's capital is more broken than ever.

The stakes are too high to let things stay this way.  That's part of the reason that I announced my candidacy for Congress three weeks ago.  And with your support, we are off to a terrific start!   

Today, we announced the endorsements of over 225  civic leaders, business leaders, labor unions and community organizations from throughout the 6th Congressional District.  

Over the past couple of weeks, we've added the endorsement of Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland and several members of her council, Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist, Kitsap County Commissioners Charlotte Garrido and Rob Gelder, former Senate Majority Leader Sid Snyder, and dozens of city council members and legislators from throughout the region.  I am honored to have such overwhelming support.

We're also now backed by the Washington State Council of Machinists, the Mason County Democrats, Pierce County Democrats, and the Young Democrats of Washington.  Folks, we're cooking!

That said, we have an enormous mountain to climb  in the next several months, and I need your help.  Our first challenge is a critical fundraising deadline this Saturday, March 31.    

Your early support is crucial in the beginning stages of the campaign, enabling us to invest in the basic elements of a successful campaign.  We've got letterhead to purchase, a campaign office to rent, and dozens of other investments that will be necessary for a successful launch.
 
Though we began this campaign just three weeks ago, we are just $15,000 away from our goal for this month.  With your continued support, we can send a message that we have a campaign with strong momentum behind it.   

We are off to a great start, and I'm hopeful that we can build on this momentum.

Folks, this district is where I was born and raised.  It is where my wife and I have chosen to raise our two little girls.  It's where I have proudly served in the legislature, fighting for families in our neck of the woods.  It's where I've worked in economic development, working each day to help small businesses succeed and grow more family wage jobs.  

I am heartened by the support that we've gotten from throughout the region.  That grassroots support is critical -- not only to winning in November -- but also to fixing a broken Congress and moving our state and our nation forward again.

Together, we can do this.  Please join our effort today!

Best,

Derek Kilmer