Kim Schrier is leading race to become the Democratic nominee for Washington state’s swing 8th congressional district. Image by Flickr/Kim Schrier

Kim Schrier led a crowded Democratic field after the Aug. 7 primary vote in a Seattle-area swing district where liberal voter enthusiasm appeared to be high, in another sign of a so-called “blue wave” in the November midterm elections.

Schrier, who is Jewish, was running in second in the “jungle primary” to Republican Dino Rossi, who is running to replace retiring incumbent Rep. Dave Reichert. The pediatrician holds a strong 1,200-vote lead over Democratic third-place finisher James Rittereiser, although thousands of ballots are yet to be counted.

The most important takeaway from the race is likely that Democratic finishers garnered more than 6,000 votes over the Republicans’ combined total. That is a strong sign that the Democratic candidate will beat the Republican in November as Democratic turnout is usually higher in November, where the top two candidates square off.

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It’s also a sign that liberals are energized, especially in a district that Hillary Clinton carried over President Trump.

Rossi still has a large advantage in fundraising, having brought in more than $3 million overall, compared with Schrier’s $1.6 million, FEC records show.

The Democrat, who was endorsed by Emily’s List, appears to be honing her message around Rossi’s fundraising, saying he “spent his career lining his pockets with campaign contributions from special interests,” during an election-night speech in exurban Issaquah, The Seattle Times reported.

Rossi said whomever his rival ends up being would be the “most far left opponent I will ever have,” adding that Schrier was part of the left’s “resistance” movement.

Contact Ben Fractenberg at [email protected]

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