Rep. Roger Freeman, a Democratic freshman lawmaker from Federal Way, has died after a yearlong battle with cancer, according to The News Tribune.
Freeman, 48, was diagnosed with colon cancer last year. He is survived by his wife and two children.
Gov. Jay Inslee released a statement saying Freeman was “fully committed to his work despite the battle he faced against cancer, and was one of the most professional, eloquent and kind-hearted legislators I’ve had the pleasure of working with.”
Freeman was running for re-election against Republican Jack Dovey in the 30th Legislative District.
The Secretary of State’s Office said that if Freeman wins the election, it will result in a vacant seat that must be filled through the standard appointment process. Three candidates would be nominated by 30th Legislative District Democrats, and the King and Pierce County Councils would jointly select a replacement.
“Though Rep. Freeman’s time in the Legislature was short, I got to know him well enough to know that he loved his family deeply and missed them every day when he was here working on behalf of the people of our district,” said retiring state Sen. Tracey Eide of Federal Way.