Sen. Claudia Kauffman, representing the 47th District, made history four years ago as the first Native American woman to serve in the Washington State Senate.

Republican challenger Joe Fain, formerly chief of staff to King County Councilman Pete Von Reichbauer, was leading Kauffman by a sizable margin for the state senate seat.

Kauffman sent the following statement to her supporters today.

“Thank you all for your support over the past four years. With the majority of the ballots counted, it appears that I will not be returning to the Washington State Senate for a second term. We fought a hard campaign, but as we’re seeing all across the state and the country, it was a tough election year for incumbent Democrats.

“I’m proud of the work I’ve done for the past four years in the Washington State Senate. We’ve made progress in expanding early learning opportunities, so more of our students will be prepared for school. Basic education reform is within reach. We’ve begun to bridge the achievement gap, so all of our students can succeed and graduate from high school. Many local projects are under way, like the Boys and Girls Club at Les Gove Park, improvements on Highway 516 and Highway 169, and planning work on Diesel Multiple Units as a transportation alternative. Improvements to the levee system on the Green River and the repair of the Howard Hanson Dam will keep the valley safer from flooding.

“It has been an honor to represent the 47th District. I’m always guided by the values that I was raised with—honoring our veterans, our elders, and taking care of our children. I will continue to work for better schools for all our students, and services for our veterans and elders. Thank you to the hundreds of volunteers and supporters for your help. Nothing we’ve accomplished in the past four years would be possible without you. This has been a truly grassroots campaign.”