Rep. Roger Freeman (D-Federal Way) is leading by 6 percent over his Republican challenger, Jack Dovey, despite passing away six days before Tuesday’s election.
Freeman died Oct. 29 after battling cancer, but voters in the 30th Legislative District are voting for him. Early results show Freeman is taking 53 percent of the vote in the district that covers parts of southern King County and smaller areas of northern Pierce County.
Freeman was diagnosed with colon cancer early last year but was optimistic he could serve a second term. He was elected to his first term in the Legislature in 2012.
“I think this is a testament of how the community felt about Roger and it shows that he made an impact in every single life in the 30th District,” said Martin Moore, Federal Way Councilman. “People voted with their hearts last night and now we have an opportunity for the community to say, ‘Lets keep the legacy going, let’s keep the vision of who Roger Freeman was and let’s keep moving his ideals forward.'”
If Freeman is elected posthumously, the King County and Pierce County councils would jointly choose a Democrat from nominees picked by Democratic Party activists to serve for one year. Voters would then elect someone next year to serve the second half of the two-year term.
“We have a number of timing issues coming about,” said 30th District Democrats Chair Tim Burns.
Burns explained that on Dec. 1 the current committee officers leave and the officers elected in August will take office.
“Then on Dec. 6 King County will reorganize, naming a new chair on Dec. 7, and amongst all the rest of this we have holidays coming up,” Burns said. “We are waiting on direction from the state chair on timing, but the goal is to have someone in place by the opening of the session of the state legislature in January.”
Freeman was elected to the Washington State Legislature in 2012, representing the 30th Legislative District. Previously he served for three years on the Federal Way City Council and on the city of Federal Way Human Services Commission.
Before entering public service, Freeman worked for 18 years as a public defender attorney representing those affected by mental illness, the homeless and the poor. He has been a consistent advocate for those who have been disenfranchised by society.
In the legislature, Freeman served as vice chair of the Early Learning and Human Services Committee and on the Transportation Committee and the Technology and Economic Development Committee. As a legislator, he was focused on streamlining government operations while protecting services that serve those less fortunate.
“It feels too early to have the conversation about who will take Freeman’s place if he wins, but the time is nearing where we have to have that conversation,” Moore said. “I strongly urge the Democrats to keep in mind what Freeman’s values and visions were and elect someone that will fire up and inspire our community just like Roger did.”
Moore spoke to Freeman’s wife, Sonya Freeman, this morning and said his family is overjoyed by his lead.
“Sonya and I both believe Roger is in heaven looking down and smiling right now,” Moore said.
A memorial service for Freeman will be held 1 p.m. Nov. 22 at Our Savior’s Baptist Church, located at 701 S. 320th St., Federal Way.
A fund has been established to help his family.
Contributions can be made to:
Memorial Fund for Representative Roger Freeman
Wells Fargo Bank
914 S. 348th St.
Federal Way, WA, 98003
