Since 1997, Smith has represented Washington’s 9th Congressional District, which includes parts of Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, Kent and Tacoma. The 57-year-old Democrat is a former Seattle prosecutor and Washington state Senator, and now chairs the House Armed Services Committee.
Doug Basler has run against Smith four times previously, and lost by wide margins each time. He runs a digital advertising agency and was formerly the senior vice-chair of the King County Republican Party.Smith is heavily favored to win re-election. In the August primary, he won 55% of the vote to Basler’s 20.6%. The debate showed the candidates’ often starkly different views on issues in the 9th Congressional District and beyond.
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