Schrier survived a challenge from Republican Matt Larkin to win a third term in the 8th District, which stretches from Seattle’s wealthy eastern suburbs over the Cascade Mountains to the orchard country of central Washington. Schrier, a pediatrician, in 2018 became the first Democrat to win the seat since its creation in the early 1980s. “I don’t know which party is going to control Congress, but it’s races like mine — the ones that sit on the razor’s edge — that are tipped one way or another,” Schrier told The Associated Press. “If more of them turn in that direction, that could mean we have the majority and set the agenda.” Flipping the 3rd District, which Democrats haven’t held since former Rep. Brian Baird retired in 2010, the party will now hold eight of Washington’s 10 congressional seats. Herrera Beutler won 22 percent of the vote in the primary, and how her voters split between Gluesenkamp Perez and Kent may have been the deciding factor in the race. Gluesenkamp Perez — who co-owns an auto shop with her husband just across the Columbia River in Portland, Ore. — said that as a small business owner who lives in a rural part of the area, she was more aligned with Kent voters. . who had to repeatedly explain his connections with far-right extremists. Gluesenkamp Perez supports abortion access and policies to address climate change, but has also described herself as a gun owner who opposes gun bans, though she supports raising the purchase age for such guns to 21. She would not “typical Democrat” in Congress, he said. Kent, a former Green Beret who is a regular on conservative TV shows and podcasts, has called for the impeachment of President Joe Biden and an investigation into the 2020 election. He has also argued against the COVID-19 shutdown and executive orders vaccines and has called for the FBI to be reimbursed after Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home was searched for classified documents. In the 8th District, Schrier highlighted the results she has achieved, including helping secure money for road projects, rural broadband and body cameras. She also pointed out that as the only female doctor in Congress who supports abortion rights, she is a bulwark against any GOP efforts to restrict abortion nationwide after the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. He characterized Larkin’s opposition to abortion rights as exclusionary. Larkin is a lawyer and former candidate for Washington attorney general who works for his family’s company, which makes parts for water pipes. Unlike the more extreme Republican candidates, Larkin says Biden was legitimately elected, though he also notes that many people disagree and are frustrated about that. He blasted Schrier on inflation, gas prices and crime, saying Democratic policies have made all three worse.
Follow AP’s election coverage at: https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections Take a look to learn more about the issues and factors playing out in the 2022 midterm elections Gene Johnson, The Associated Press
