Fellow Democrat will run against Rep. Jim McDermott in 2016

SEATTLE — Longtime congressman Jim McDermott will face a challenge from a fellow Democrat in 2016.

State Rep. Brady Walkinshaw, D-Seattle, told The Seattle Times ( http://bit.ly/1XKiIGW ) he’ll run for McDermott’s 9th District Seat. Walkinshaw said he has “incredible respect and admiration” for McDermott but that he thought the area was ready for a change.

“This is disruptive,” he said. “But it’s an opportunity for new leadership.”

McDermott, first elected in 1988, said he will seek a 15th term. He represents the state’s 7th District, which includes most of Seattle as well as some surrounding suburbs.

McDermott said he welcomed Walkinshaw’s entry into the race.

“The district is entitled to good representation, and good people should run,” McDermott said. said. “Norm Dicks used to kid me about being ‘congressman for life.’ I said, ‘Stop that stuff.’ People should have choices.”

The 31-year-old Walkinshaw is a former Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation program officer. He was appointed to his 43rd Legislative District seat in 2013 to fill a vacancy. He ran unopposed for election in 2014.

McDermott, 78, is a former Navy psychiatrist known for his liberal views and sharp criticism of the Iraq war. He is a senior member of the tax-policy-writing House Ways and Means Committee.

McDermott said he wants to work on policies he’s passionate about, like changes to the Affordable Care Act to bring down costs and add subsidies for more people.