Krystal Marx Launches 9th District Congressional Bid

RENTON, WA — Burien Deputy Mayor Krystal Marx has announced a congressional bid for Washington's 9th District, looking to unseat longtime Rep. Adam Smith in the House next year.

The 9th Congressional District encompasses South Seattle, Bellevue, Newcastle, Mercer Island, Renton, Tukwila, Kent, Des Moines, Federal Way and Northeast Tacoma. Smith has held the seat since 1997 and currently chairs the House Armed Services Committee.

Marx, a housing activist and mother of four, was elected to Burien City Council in 2018 and appointed Deputy Mayor in 2020. She serves on five boards and committees, including the King County Board of Health, and is the executive director of Seattle Pride.

In a formal campaign announcement Tuesday, Marx voiced support for the Green New Deal and Medicare for All, highlighting her personal experiences in facing down economic hardship.

"As a mom to one trans son and to another with type 1 diabetes, as a queer housing activist, and as someone who has experienced houselessness and chronic unemployment while being my partner's sole caregiver, I feel a sense of urgency that is missing in the halls of congress," Marx said. "We need leaders who understand how it feels to have debt hanging over their heads; who have had to make the horrible choice that no one should be forced to make between groceries and their kids' medical care."

Early endorsements for Marx's campaign include Lisa Daugaard of the Public Defenders Association and two colleagues on the Burien City Council.

"Krystal's approach has been consistent from day one: listen to the community, bring them into the political process, and deliver lasting change," said Burien Councilmember Pedro Olguin. "She's done this in Burien, passing comprehensive tenant protections by unanimous vote on a divided council. She worked with union members to secure hazard pay for frontline grocery workers during the pandemic. It's not easy to do things this way, but it's the right way."

Rep. Smith, now in his 13th term, sailed to reelection in 2020, getting more than 74 percent of the vote against Republican challenger Doug Basler. Smith faced a challenge from the left in 2018 from Sarah Smith and won more than 67 percent of the vote.

Read more about Marx's priorities on the official campaign website.