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Washington's 8th congressional district

Coordinates: 47°18′N 122°06′W / 47.300°N 122.100°W / 47.300; -122.100
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Washington's 8th congressional district
Map
Interactive map of district boundaries since January 3, 2023 (King County highlighted, where most of the district's population resides)
Representative
Area7,359.70 sq mi (19,061.5 km2)
Distribution
  • 83.4% urban
  • 16.6% rural
Population (2023)778,099[1]
Median household
income
$119,057[2]
Ethnicity
Cook PVID+1[3]

Washington's 8th congressional district is a district for the United States House of Representatives located in western Washington State. It includes the eastern portions of King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties, and crosses the Cascade mountains to include Chelan and Kittitas counties. The district's western part includes the exurban communities of Sammamish, Issaquah, and Maple Valley but does not include Seattle and Tacoma's more immediate suburbs. On its east side, the 8th's population centers include the rural communities Wenatchee, Leavenworth, and Ellensburg.[4] It is currently represented in the U.S. House of Representatives by Democrat Kim Schrier, who was first elected to the seat in 2018.

Election results from presidential races

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Year Office Results
1984 President Reagan 62 - 37%
1988 President Bush 56 - 43%
1992 President Clinton 38 - 34%
1996 President Clinton 47 - 41%
2000 President Gore 49 - 47%
2004 President Kerry 51 - 48%
2008 President Obama 57 - 42%
2012 President Obama 50 - 48%
2016 President Clinton 48 - 45%
2020 President Biden 52 - 45%

History

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The 8th district was created after redistricting cycle after the 1980 census. For its first 30 years, it was centered on the Eastside region of the Seattle metropolitan area. After the 2010 U.S. census, the state responded to population changes by shifting much of the Eastside to the 9th district. To make up for the loss in population, areas east of the Cascades were shifted to the 8th district.

For the first 35 years of its existence, the 8th district was held by a Republican. It was located in an area that was historically the most Republican portion of the Seattle area. However, it was swept up in the larger Democratic trend in the Pacific Northwest since the 1990s, and has supported the Democratic nominee in every presidential election since 1992. Prior to the 2011 redistricting, the district had the peculiarity of having a Democratic advantage according to its Cook PVI, but only having elected Republicans to Congress throughout its history. After the district was pushed east of the Cascades with the 2010 redistricting, its PVI became even. The GOP winning streak ended with the 2018 election.

The district from 2003 to 2013
The district from 2013 to 2023

Recent election results

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2004

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In 2004, Dave Reichert, at the time serving as the sheriff of King County, beat his Democratic opponent Dave Ross by 52% to 48% in the race to replace 12-year incumbent Jennifer Dunn; that year, voters in the district favored Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry.

Washington's 8th congressional district election, 2004)
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dave Reichert 173,298 51.50
Democratic Dave Ross 157,148 46.70
Libertarian Spencer Garrett 6,053 1.80
Total votes 336,499 100.00
Republican hold

2006

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Responding to Reichert's perceived vulnerability, former Microsoft program manager Darcy Burner (D) challenged Rep. Reichert in 2006, in what was widely expected to be a close election. Influential election analyst Charlie Cook listed the contest among 68 competitive or potentially competitive House races to watch in 2006, categorizing it as a "toss-up" (defined as "the most competitive; Either party has a good chance of winning").[5] Burner was one of 22 House challengers selected by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) for fundraising assistance with its "Red to Blue" program, aimed at unseating vulnerable Republican incumbents around the country.[6]

In the end, Reichert won re-election, defeating Burner by just 7,341 votes out of more than 250,000 cast.[7] The outcome of the race was not decided for almost a week after the election, as severe flooding in the eastern part of the district delayed the counting of absentee ballots.[8]

Washington's 8th congressional district election, 2006)
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dave Reichert (inc.) 129,362 51.46
Democratic Darcy Burner 122,021 48.54
Total votes 251,383 100.00
Republican hold

2008

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In the 2008 election, Reichert faced Burner again in a rematch that many election watchers again described as one of the nation's hottest contests. This time, Reichert defeated Burner 53 percent to 47 percent, a solid victory despite Barack Obama's 15-point margin in the district.

Washington's 8th congressional district primary election, August 19, 2008[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dave Reichert 74,140 48.54%
Democratic Darcy Burner 68,010 44.53%
Democratic James E. Vaughn 5,051 3.31%
Independent Richard Todd 2,116 1.39%
Democratic Keith Arnold 1,886 1.23%
Independent Boleslaw Orlinski 1,523 1.00%
Total votes 152,726 100%
Washington's 8th congressional district general election, November 4, 2008[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dave Reichert 191,568 52.78%
Democratic Darcy Burner 171,358 47.22%
Total votes 362,926 100%

2010

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In the 2010 election, Reichert and Democrat Suzan DelBene advanced out of the Washington State Top 2 Primaries with 47.2% and 26.9% of the vote, respectively. Reichert prevailed over DelBene in the General Election 52.1% to 47.9%. In this election, Reichert won both King and Pierce counties even after losing some key endorsements, including the Seattle Times, which endorsed Suzan DelBene and Tim Dillon in the primaries.[11][12]

Washington's 8th congressional district primary election, August 17, 2010[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dave Reichert (incumbent) 76,118 47.23
Democratic Suzan DelBene 43,272 26.85
Democratic Tom Cramer 15,313 9.50
Republican Ernest Huber 9,376 5.82
Republican Tim Dillon 8,291 5.14
Democratic Keith Arnold 3,405 2.11
Independent Robin Adair 2,648 1.64
Democratic Boleslaw (John) Orlinski 1,761 1.09
Independent Caleb Love Mardini 987 0.61
Total votes 161,171 100.00
Washington's 8th congressional district general election, November 2, 2010
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dave Reichert (incumbent) 161,296 52.05
Democratic Suzan DelBene 148,581 47.95
Total votes 309,877 100.00

2012

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In the 2012 election, Reichert ran against Democrat Karen Porterfield, Associate Dean and Public Administration Lecturer at Seattle University. James Windle of Snoqualmie Pass also ran against Reichert as an independent candidate, but dropped out of the race in August 2012.[14]

Washington 8th Congressional District - 6 November 2012
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dave Reichert (Incumbent) 180,204 59.7
Democratic Karen Porterfield 121,886 40.3
Total votes 302,090 100.0

2014

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In the 2014 election, Reichert defeated Democrat Jason Ritchie, a small business owner from Issaquah.

Washington's 8th congressional district primary election, August 5, 2014
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dave Reichert (incumbent) 66,715 62.5
Democratic Jason Ritchie 30,759 28.8
Democratic Keith Arnold 9,273 8.7
Total votes 105,746 100.0
Washington's 8th congressional district, 2014
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dave Reichert (incumbent) 125,741 63.3
Democratic Jason Ritchie 73,003 36.7
Total votes 198,744 100.0
Republican hold

2016

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In the 2016 election, Reichert defeated Democrat Tony Ventrella, a former sportscaster. Ventrella did not think he would beat the other candidates in the field and dropped out in July 2016 only to finish second overall and restart his campaign in the general election.[15]

Washington's 8th congressional district primary election, August 2nd, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dave Reichert (incumbent) 73,600 56.8
Democratic Tony Ventrella 22,035 17.0
Democratic Santiago Ramos 17,900 13.8
Democratic Alida Skold 10,825 8.4
Independent Keith Arnold 3,153 2.4
Independent Margaret M. Walsh 2,024 1.6
Total votes 129,537 100.0
Washington's 8th congressional district, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dave Reichert (incumbent) 193,145 60.2
Democratic Tony Ventrella 127,720 39.8
Total votes 320,865 100.0
Republican hold

2018

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Reichert announced in September 2017 that he would not seek re-election.[16] Former State Senator and gubernatorial nominee Dino Rossi advanced from the top-two primary alongside pediatrician Kim Schrier.[17] In the general election, Schrier defeated Rossi with 52% of the vote to become the first Democrat to represent the district.[18]

Washington's 8th congressional district primary election, August 7, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dino Rossi 73,288 43.1
Democratic Kim Schrier 31,837 18.7
Democratic Jason Rittereiser 30,708 18.1
Democratic Shannon Hader 21,317 12.5
Republican Jack Hughes-Hageman 4,270 2.5
Republican Gordon Allen Pross 2,081 1.2
Democratic Tom Cramer 1,468 0.9
Independent Centrist Bill Grassie 1,163 0.7
Libertarian Richard Travis Reyes 1,154 0.7
Independent Keith Arnold 1,090 0.6
Neither Major Party Patrick Dillon 898 0.5
No party preference Todd Mahaffey 673 0.4
Total votes 169,947 100.0
Washington's 8th congressional district, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kim Schrier 164,089 52.4
Republican Dino Rossi 148,968 47.6
Total votes 313,057 100.0
Democratic gain from Republican

2020

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Schrier defeated Republican Jesse Jensen with 52% of the vote, a similar percentage as in 2018.[19]

Washington's 8th congressional district primary election, August 4, 2020
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kim Schrier (incumbent) 106,611 43.3
Republican Jesse Jensen 49,368 20.0
Republican Keith R. Swank 42,809 17.4
Trump Republican Party Dean Saulibio 28,976 11.8
Independent Corey Bailey 6,552 2.7
Democratic James Mitchell 6,187 2.5
Democratic Keith Arnold 4,111 1.7
No party preference Ryan Dean Burkett 1,458 0.6
Write-in 289 0.1
Total votes 246,361 100.0
Washington's 8th congressional district, 2020[19]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kim Schrier (incumbent) 213,123 51.7
Republican Jesse Jensen 198,423 48.2
Write-in 566 0.1
Total votes 412,112 100.0
Democratic hold

2022

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Schrier defeated Republican Matt Larkin with 53% of the vote.

Washington's 8th congressional district primary election, August 2, 2022[20]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kim Schrier (incumbent) 97,700 47.9
Republican Matt Larkin 34,684 17.0
Republican Reagan Dunn 29,494 14.4
Republican Jesse Jensen 26,350 12.9
Republican Scott Stephenson 7,954 3.9
Democratic Emet Ward 1,832 0.9
Republican Dave Chapman 1,811 0.9
Democratic Keith Arnold 1,669 0.8
Libertarian Justin Greywolf 1,518 0.7
Independent Ryan Burkett 701 0.3
Independent Patrick Dillon 296 0.1
Write-in 122 0.1
Total votes 204,131 100.0
2022 Washington's 8th congressional district election[21]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kim Schrier (incumbent) 179,003 53.3
Republican Matt Larkin 155,976 46.4
Write-in 1,059 0.3
Total votes 336,038 100.0
Democratic hold

List of members representing the district

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Member
(District Home)
Party Dates Cong
ress
Electoral history District location
District established January 3, 1983

Rod Chandler
(Bellevue)[22]
Republican January 3, 1983 –
January 3, 1993
98th
99th
100th
101st
102nd
Elected in 1982.
Re-elected in 1984.
Re-elected in 1986.
Re-elected in 1988.
Re-elected in 1990.
Retired to run for U.S. senator.
1983–1985
Parts of King and Pierce
1985–1993
Parts of King and Pierce

Jennifer Dunn
(Bellevue)[23]
Republican January 3, 1993 –
January 3, 2005
103rd
104th
105th
106th
107th
108th
Elected in 1992.
Re-elected in 1994.
Re-elected in 1996.
Re-elected in 1998.
Re-elected in 2000.
Re-elected in 2002.
Retired.
1993–2003
Parts of King and Pierce
2003–2013

Parts of King and Pierce

Dave Reichert
(Auburn)
Republican January 3, 2005 –
January 3, 2019
109th
110th
111th
112th
113th
114th
115th
Elected in 2004.
Re-elected in 2006.
Re-elected in 2008.
Re-elected in 2010.
Re-elected in 2012.
Re-elected in 2014.
Re-elected in 2016.
Retired.
2013–2023

Chelan and Kittitas; parts of Douglas, King, and Pierce

Kim Schrier
(Sammamish)
Democratic January 3, 2019 –
present
116th
117th
118th
Elected in 2018.
Re-elected in 2020.
Re-elected in 2022.
2023–present

Chelan and Kittitas; parts of Douglas, King, Pierce, and Snohomish

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. 2022. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  2. ^ Center for New Media & Promotion (CNMP), US Census Bureau. "My Congressional District". www.census.gov.
  3. ^ "2022 Cook PVI: District Map and List". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  4. ^ Brunner, Jim (January 11, 2012). "The new 8th district: a bridge across the state?". The Seattle Times. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
  5. ^ Cook, Charlie. "2006 competitive House race chart." The Cook Political Report, October 11, 2006. (warning: PDF)
  6. ^ Hearn, Josephine. "Internal DCCC list pins hopes on 22 challengers." The Hill, April 27, 2006.
  7. ^ Office of the Washington Secretary of State. 2006 General Election Results. Accessed January 3, 2007.
  8. ^ Kapochunas, Rachel. "WA 8: GOP Survivor Reichert Prevails Over Burner." The New York Times, November 14, 2006.
  9. ^ "Congressional District 8". Secretary of State of Washington. September 4, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  10. ^ "Congressional District 8". Secretary of State of Washington. November 26, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  11. ^ "The Seattle Times | Local news, sports, business, politics, entertainment, travel, restaurants and opinion for Seattle and the Pacific Northwest". www.seattletimes.com.
  12. ^ "Voter Portal". voter.votewa.gov.
  13. ^ "Congressional District 8". Secretary of State of Washington. September 3, 2010. Retrieved December 28, 2013.
  14. ^ Garber, Andrew (May 18, 2012). "Final filing day in state offers wealth of choices". The Seattle Times. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  15. ^ Orenstein, Walker. "Ex-sports anchor Tony Ventrella drops out of congressional race". Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  16. ^ Weigel, David (September 6, 2017). "Dave Reichert, a swing seat Republican, will retire from the House". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  17. ^ Brunner, Jim (August 13, 2018). "Kim Schrier edges out Jason Rittereiser to face Dino Rossi in 8th Congressional District". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  18. ^ Brunner, Jim (November 7, 2018). "Dino Rossi concedes 8th District race to Kim Schrier as new votes widen her lead". The Seattle Times. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  19. ^ a b "November 3, 2020 General Election Results". Washington Secretary of State. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  20. ^ "August 2, 2022 Primary Results - CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 8". Secretary of State of Washington. August 2, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  21. ^ "November 8, 2022 General Election Results - CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 8". Secretary of State of Washington. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  22. ^ "Biographical directory of the United States Congress 1774–2005" (PDF). www.govinfo.gov. United States Congress.
  23. ^ "Late Bellevue Congresswoman Dunn Honored by Son in County DVT Awareness Month Proclamation". Bellevue, WA Patch. March 22, 2012. Retrieved October 26, 2016. Jennifer Dunn, who lived in Bellevue, represented Washington's 8th District in the House of Representatives from 1993 to 2004.

Sources

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47°18′N 122°06′W / 47.300°N 122.100°W / 47.300; -122.100