State Rep. Michelle Caldier (R-Gig Harbor) of the 26th District announced Dec. 6 that she will be running next year for State Senate in the the same district.

Caldier has served the 26th District, which includes Bremerton and Port Orchard, as a representative since 2014 and was reelected for another term in November. Following Emily Randall’s election to the U.S. Congress, a special election will be held in November 2025 to fill the remainder of her Senate term.

“It has been an honor to serve my neighbors in the state house over the past ten years,” Caldier said in a news release. “I am running for the State Senate to bring balance back to our state.”

Caldier graduated from Central Kitsap High School and received an Associate of Arts and Sciences degree from Olympic College. At the University of Washington, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Cell and Molecular Biology as well as a Doctorate of Dental Surgery.