TACOMA — A Marine Corps veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan has entered the race for Congress in the 6th District.

Bill Driscoll, a Port Angeles native, joined candidates Doug Cloud and Jesse Young as Republicans vying to replace Norm Dicks, a 36-year veteran of Congress who announced his retirement earlier this year.

State Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, is the only high-profile Democrat running for the seat.

North Kitsap is now in the 6th District after redistricting, and North Kitsap voters will vote for a 6th District representative this year.

Driscoll is the great-great-grandson of lumber baron Frederick Weyerhaeuser, and he worked for the company and other forest products firms for more than 20 years along with his time in the Marine Corps. Driscoll announced in late April that he plans to donate $500,000 dollars of his own money to his campaign.

On his campaign’s website, Driscoll said his experience in Iraq and Afghanistan is the main reason why he is running for Congress.

“It’s important that the men and women who best understand the human cost of these wars be elected to Congress,” he said. “I will be a staunch advocate for those currently serving, for veterans and for their families.”

Driscoll said his experience in military and business — not politics — is what the county needs. He plans to encourage sustainable growth through the private sector.

“People make jobs, not the government,” he said.

Driscoll lives with his wife in Tacoma. The couple has two children.

— Brett Cihon, Port Orchard Independent