Larsen kicks off congressional re-election campaign

Second Congressional District Rep. Rick Larsen kicked off his re-election campaign in Skagit County June 27, telling some 30 supporters at Skagit River Brewery in Mount Vernon that this year voting will be a values election.

The Democrat’s low-key remarks were twice disrupted by women bursting in and vehemently protesting his support for military aid to Israel’s war against Palestinians in Gaza. The first carried a sign reading, “Larsen sends Skagit taxes to BOMB BABIES in Gaza.” She shouted she was a Jewish school teacher, to stop the genocide and free Palestine. She was grabbed, hustled past Larsen and forcibly pushed out the room’s eastside back door.

A few minutes later, another woman burst into the middle of the room waving a keffiyeh, a Palestinian head scarf. She yelled her family was Palestinian, the war was genocidal and Larsen was a fake progressive.

She was also held and pushed out the same door.

A 6:05 p.m. 911 listing showed the Mount Vernon police were called to the scene.

Larsen ignored the interruptions and did not say a word about Israel or Gaza.

Asked later by the Weekly News what he needed to learn or know to end his support for military aid to Israel, he did not address the question, but spoke of Israel’s right to exist as a country and its right to be safe and secure in the region. He noted his support was “not tied to who is in leadership. The current time requires we support Israel and help end the devastating effect on Palestinians.”

The short program started with Island County Commissioner Janet St. Clair introducing Larsen and giving a testimonial that he listens to local governments and brings federal funds for broadband, libraries and transit.

Larsen noted this was his third kick-off event in the district, all with the purpose of conveying the work he was doing and assessing the politics of the country and state.

He touted his support for and the national accomplishments of the bipartisan infrastructure law for repairing infrastructure and building the next generation workforce. Unemployment is 4% nationwide, he said.

He emphasized his work in the district for “safety,” ticking off COVID-19, fentanyl and gun regulation. His stated support for veterans drew applause.

About the election, the issues are also women’s rights and choice for abortions, he said. He plans to doorbell houses throughout the district, about 35 houses per shift.

“I am pretty sure I will be OK,” he said.

Larsen expressed confidence that Democrats will win the House of Representatives in November. He said he would campaign for other candidates. Asked later if he would use his roughly $1.5 million campaign fund, he did not answer directly, referring to a leadership political action committee for which he raises money and his attending events in other candidates’ districts.

For his election, he predicted he would be in the top two in the August primary and his November opponent will be a Republican.

“(Joe) Biden has more wind in his sails,” he said about the presidential race. Trump can only win by hiding and lying about his record of tax cuts for the rich, undermining NATO and opposing women’s rights.

“Donald Trump is a convicted felon, period, and no one wants to elect a candidate with that record,” Larsen said.

Larsen made five campaign stops throughout the district, starting on Whidbey Island June 17 and ending in Everett June 24. Addresses were not given until RSVPs were made. The district includes all of Island, San Juan, Skagit and Whatcom counties and communities along Snohomish County’s I-5 corridor.