Jefferson County Commissioner Kate Dean ended her short-lived congressional campaign on Friday after failing to meet fundraising expectations

During her six-week campaign, Dean had raised about $30,000 against an expectation of $100,000 to $200,000.

“It was very challenging to meet that goal, especially with $50 and $100 checks,” she said. “It was hard asking all my friends and family for money. They were really generous, but it wasn’t adding up.”

The money raised will be used to defray campaign expenses, with the remainder returned to donors.

Dean, 49, was hoping to succeed Representative Derek Kilmer, who is stepping down from the Sixth District congressional seat after six terms.

Dean said that candidates are expected to generate a local base of support before fundraising outside of the community.

She said the decision to withdraw carried sadness and grief, along with a hint of embarrassment.

“It was a hard decision to make,” she said. “To succeed on a congressional campaign you need to be rich or beholden to big money.”

Dean’s campaign was based on the idea that rural areas, composing 90 percent of the district, deserve representation. She plans to endorse State Sen. Emily Randall, who has expressed support for these issues. Randall serves in the same State Senate office held by Kilmer immediately before his 2012 election to Congress.

Aside from Randall, Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz is also running for the seat. Both are Democrats. State Sen. Drew McEwan, (R-Shelton) has also filed for the seat.

Dean is up for re-election to her First District Jefferson County Commission seat in 2024. She has not committed to seeking a third term.

“I need to take some time to think about next steps,” she said. “I’ve learned a lot during this process, such as how much I appreciate this community. Being a county commissioner demonstrates that you don’t have to be wealthy to hold elective office and make a change.”

Candidate filing week takes place from May 6 to May 10, two weeks earlier than in years past. The two top vote-getters in the August 6 primary will advance to the November 5 primary, regardless of party.

The Sixth District covers 69,000 square miles over five counties. The population is 773,000, nearly 80 percent of whom are white. The area is mostly rural, aside from municipal areas in Bremerton, Gig Harbor, and parts of Tacoma.

No Republican has held the seat since 1965, and no one from Jefferson County has represented the district since its creation in 1932.