Kim Schrier, Dino Rossi Lead In WA-8 Primary Race

ISSAQUAH, WA - Republican Dino Rossi and Democrat Dr. Kim Schrier were in the lead after the first round of votes were counted in the 8th Congressional District race. The WA-8 race is one of the most closely watched Congressional races in the nation, and for the first time in district history Democrats have a chance to claim the seat.

Here's where Rossi and the three main Democrats in the race were 9 p.m. Tuesday:

• Dino Rossi - 43%
• Kim Schrier - 18.82%
• Shannon Hader - 12.6%
• Jason Rittereiser - 17.56%

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Rittereiser gained ground on Schrier between about 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. as more ballots were counted. The primary election will not be certified by individual counties until Aug. 20, so Hader and Rittereiser still have time to gain ground.

Rittereiser, who held a primary night party in Ellensburg, where he was raised, released a statement after the initial results.

"I’m thankful to have the unwavering support of my wife Michelle and my family throughout this campaign and I’m humbled by the incredible amount of hard work put in by all of our volunteers that has gotten us this far,” he said. “We knew this would be a close race and I commend Dr. Schrier and Dr. Hader on running strong campaigns. We will keep pushing forward until every vote is counted and the results are clear.”

Combined, the four Democrats in the race (including Tom Cramer) had 49.97 percent of the vote as of Tuesday night. Republicans (including Rossi, Gordon Allen Pross, and Jack Hughes-Hageman) shared 47.08 percent of the vote.

U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert announced he would be retiring from Congress last fall. But Democrats were already lining up to challenge him, with Schrier and Rittereiser among the first. Hader joined the race late, but made up ground by picking up key endorsements from groups like the King, Pierce, and Kittitas county Democrats.

Image via Patch