Rep. Spencer Hutchins won’t run for a second term. He says the seat took a ‘heavy toll’
State Rep. Spencer Hutchins announced he will not be seeking reelection for a second term.
He represents the 26th District, which includes Gig Harbor, the Key Peninsula, Port Orchard, and other parts of Pierce and Kitsap counties.
The announcement came via a press release late Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 6, from the Republican caucus.
Rep. Hutchins, 38, grew up in the district and attended Gig Harbor High School. Before he ran to represent the 26th District, he spent time on the Gig Harbor City Council and volunteered for FISH Food Bank.
He ran for the House seat in 2022 to replace Jesse Young, who at the time was running for state Senate.
Hutchins won the race against another longtime local, Adison Richards.
His said his main priorities were fiscal responsibility, to support safe communities and to strengthen transportation systems.
While in the role, he served “on three House committees: Health Care and Wellness and Transportation, where he serves as the assistant ranking member, and Housing,” the caucus press release said.
“Hutchins has worked vigorously on the big issues facing the community and the state, including public safety and the drug crisis, increasing housing supply and affordability, improving access to quality health care, and fixing the state ferry system,” according to the press release.
‘This has taken a heavy toll on my livelihood’
Rep. Hutchins decided it was in his family’s best interest for him to not run for reelection.
“Over time, it has become clear that stepping away is the right thing to do for my family,” he said in the release. “... I would love to stay longer. There is so much left to do and more I feel I can contribute. But the hard reality is this has taken a heavy toll on my livelihood and my ability to provide for my family. While we are a part-time Legislature, the demands of this role are more realistically full-time and year-round.”
Hutchins is a small business owner.
“The highest priorities in my life are my faith and family,” Hutchins said in the release. “As passionate as I am about our community — and about bringing goodwill, balance, and bipartisanship to the polarized politics of today — my family’s wellbeing must come first.”
Who has announced a campaign for the seat?
.JPG "Adison Richards Portrait (1).JPG")
Richards, a Democrat, also grew up in the district. He attended Peninsula High School.
He announced in December that he will run for the seat again.
“Our political climate must change, and I’m prepared to run again and get to work,” he said in the December press release. “For too long members of both parties have blamed each other for failing to make more progress on issues like homelessness, housing and healthcare costs, public safety, and lowering taxes for working families.”
Filing week, when candidates officially file to run for office, is May 6-10.
