Get breaking news alerts and special reports. The news and stories that matter, delivered weekday mornings.

A city councilman in Bremerton, Washingon learned this week that he has a challenger looking to unseat him.

His wife.

Roy Runyon, the incumbent, is running against Kim Faulkner, to whom he has been married for 12 years, NBC affiliate KING5 reported.

Let our news meet your inbox. The news and stories that matters, delivered weekday mornings. This site is protected by recaptcha

"I just sat down and said, 'I think the City of Bremerton for District 6 needs more qualified people to run for office and i'm going to put my name in the hat,'" Faulkner said.

A husband and wife are both running for the same seat on Bremerton, Washington's city council. KING's Dan Cassuto reports. NBC News

Runyon's diplomatic response: "I was surprised. I said, 'Wow. Boy. I think you'd do a really good job.'"

A third candidate, Richard Huddy, is also running for Runyon's seat.

Faulkner said that if her husband wins re-election, she'll congratulate him. "LIfe will go on," she said.

Runyon said that if Faulkner wins, "I'll be relieved."

Asked how their marriage is doing, he replied, "Up until now, it's been good."

— Jon Schuppe