Smith, Basler running for District 9 Congress seat

Republican challenger takes on Democrat incumbent.

By Andy Nystrom • October 19, 2020 2:10 pm

Incumbent Adam Smith is running for another two-year term as a United States representative in Congressional District 9, which includes Mercer Island.

Doug Basler is challenging Smith for the seat, which covers parts of King and Pierce counties. The general election is set for Nov. 3. Ballots were mailed to registered voters on Oct. 14.

Smith (D), who has been a U.S. representative since 1997 and was a Washington state senator from 1991-97, earned a juris doctor degree from the University of Washington in 1990 and is a member of the UW Evans School Honorary Advisory Board and the Council on Foreign Relations.

In his statement on the King County Elections site, Smith said it’s a true privilege to serve the community — one that is tremendously diverse and hard working — and he would be honored to continue doing so.

“As our nation faces unprecedented challenges, I am focused on strengthening the middle class, ensuring equality of opportunity for all, and investing in our future. We must provide a progressive path forward where everyone can thrive,” he said.

Smith said he’ll work hard to make sure every person in his district has access to the best healthcare possible.

“Our healthcare system needs to be restructured to create a path to universal access to healthcare through a plan like Medicare for All,” he said. “As the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, I have also prioritized making sure that all of our service members and their families, no matter who they are, receive the support they need and have earned.”

Basler (R) was a former senior vice chairman of the King County Republican Party and previously ran for U.S. Congress. The president and founder of EZTVSpots.com graduated from Multnomah University and has been a volunteer church youth leader for more than 30 years.

Basler said in his statement on the King County Elections site that representatives must serve the voters.

“You deserve to be heard and understood,” he said. “The U.S. House of Representatives is the closest representation to the people and the most accountable branch of government elected every two years. It’s also the most powerful branch of government, with the power of the treasury and the power of oversight.”

He believes that real accountability should come from regular people being involved in public service for a while and then returning to their daily lives under the laws they helped pass.

“Career politicians are the biggest problem in government today. This has been demonstrated in real time with the handling of the coronavirus lockdowns. The good intentions that started the process quickly devolved into political favoritism and opportunities to advance agendas,” said Basler, adding that he will always fight to defend citizens’ God-given, constitutionally protected rights.