PORT TOWNSEND — Activist lawyer Paul Richmond made it official on the Jefferson County Courthouse steps Tuesday morning: He’s challenging longtime Democratic U.S. Rep. Norm Dicks for the 6th District Congressional seat.

“I think there is a real need for someone to run against Mr. Dicks,” said Richmond, 46, who is running as a Democrat. Richmond was joined by his wife, Hannah McFarland, in making the announcement.

Richmond contends that Dicks, also a Democrat, no longer serves the people and has become entrenched with Washington, D.C.’s political elite.

Richmond and his wife drove to Port Orchard earlier Tuesday morning to make the same announcement in front of the Kitsap County Courthouse.

Dicks’ spokesman in Washington, D.C., George Behan, said “from Norm’s standpoint, he will address all challengers when they file for office, which takes place in early June.

“He will campaign based on his own record, and expects other candidates to come forward. This is a presidential year where there are lots of issues.”

Dicks is the third-ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, serving on three subcommittees. He has served in the congressional seat since 1976.

He is the chairman of the Appropriations Interior subcommittee and is a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security.

Richmond moved about a years ago from Seattle after 20 years there to seek a better quality of life in Port Townsend.