William Marks, Democrat

William Marks is running as a Democrat with a pitch that blends military service, Washington experience, and a populist economic message aimed at families squeezed by inflation.

Mr. Marks is a retired U.S. Navy commander whose career included combat operations and multiple public-affairs roles, and he says that background prepared him to “understand the system” without being a career politician.

Campaigning across the district’s wide urban- and-rural footprint, Mr. Marks has framed his candidacy around making “life better for families and workers” through higher wages, better benefits, and stronger public schools. In a FOX 4 interview, he argued he didn’t serve “for billionaires to get richer,” and criticized efforts he says would strip health care or underfund schools.

On his campaign platform, Mr. Marks calls for “better jobs,” universal health coverage, and lower costs—especially prescription drugs and child care—while also pushing ethics reforms such as banning stock trading by members of Congress and limiting the revolving door between lawmakers and industry.