Republican and Trump supporter latest candidate to enter race for Heck’s seat

The latest candidate to enter the race to succeed U.S. Rep. Denny Heck is a military veteran who is running for public office for the first time.

Lakewood resident Rian Ingrim said Monday that he’s a Republican and supporter of President Donald Trump who is running to “fight for individual liberty and limited government.”

If elected to represent the 10th Districts in the U.S. House of Representatives, Ingrim said he would work on “merit-based immigration, a prosperous economy, transparent health care” and ensuring there is “freedom of thought” in the K-12 and higher education systems.

Ingrim, 41, is co-founder of a company that sells small-batch cannabidiol, better known as CBD, products. He also does business development for a specialty construction company.

Heck announced late last year that he will not run for re-election, saying the discourse in Washington, D.C., had left him feeling discouraged.

The 10th Congressional District covers nearly all of Thurston County, most of Pierce County and a portion of Mason County.

So far, the candidates for Heck’s seat include former Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland and ex-state Rep. Kristine Reeves, both Democrats; Phil Gardner, who served for three years as district director for Heck; Joshua Collins, a socialist running as a Democrat, and Republican Nancy Dailey Slotnick.

Candidates must officially file to run the week of May 11-15. The primary election will be Aug. 4.

This story was originally published February 3, 2020 at 8:08 AM.