BREMERTON — Emily Randall, a healthcare advocate and a Kitsap County native, has thrown her hat into the ring — she’s running to oppose incumbent state Sen. Jan Angel in the race this fall for her 26th Legislative District state Senate seat.

Born in Bremerton, raised in Port Orchard and a South Kitsap High graduate, Randall received her degree from Wellesley College. She has worked for a decade on healthcare and education issues at Boston Children’s Hospital, the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, Planned Parenthood and Wellesley College.

In remarks before 75 people at an announcement event in Bremerton Jan. 9, Randall, who is running as a Democrat, said she believes that more unites citizens than divides them. They are “frustrated by partisan politicians who lack the courage to do what’s right for our community,” she said.

“I’m running for state Senate because I know we have the resources and tools to address our most pressing issues — we just need to elect a leader with the conviction to put people first.”

Randall said she is committed to hearing from voters and residents in the 26th District about their priorities and concerns. She said in a news release that she will travel across the district to meet with community members to hear directly from them.

“We have a unique district that spans from Bremerton to Gig Harbor, Manchester to the Key Peninsula,” she said. “I am going to be meeting people up and down the district to ensure everyone’s voice is brought back to Olympia.”

Randall has scheduled two “meet-and-greet” sessions in the next three weeks: Jan. 23 in Gig Harbor and Feb. 6 in Port Orchard. In Gig Harbor, she will greet residents from 5:30-7 p.m. at Gig Harbor MarKee, 5275 Olympic Drive NW. In Port Orchard, she will greet people from 5:30-7 p.m. at Slaughter County Brewing Company, 1307 Bay St.