SEATTLE — Democratic Representative Kim Schrier has successfully secured a fourth term in Congress following her victory over Republican candidate Carmen Goers on Thursday. This election took place in Washington’s 8th District, which encompasses an area characterized by a blend of affluent suburbs surrounding Seattle and agricultural land in central Washington.

The 8th District had traditionally been a Republican stronghold until Schrier, a pediatrician, claimed the seat in 2019. Since then, she has navigated through a series of closely contested elections, with the latest one against Goers being no exception.

Schrier’s campaign has been marked by a combination of progressive policies, including a strong advocacy for abortion rights, as well as practical strategies aimed at enhancing infrastructure funding and supporting research for specialty crops. Her appeal in the agriculture sector was further solidified this year when she received the endorsement of the Washington Farm Bureau.

In contrast, Goers, who works as a commercial banker, focused her platform on addressing inflation, reducing excessive regulation on businesses, bolstering law enforcement, and tackling crime. She made a bold declaration regarding her stance on education, promising to confront the Department of Education directly. Goers criticized current educational priorities, arguing that students are being drawn into divisive cultural debates instead of receiving a solid foundation in fundamental subjects like reading, writing, and math.