Democrat Kim Schrier has advanced in Washington's 8th District Congressional primary, seeking to be the first member of her party to ever win the seat.
Schrier, a pediatrician from Issaquah, retained her second place since election night last Tuesday. Third-place finisher, Democratic candidate Jason Rittereiser, called her campaign on Monday to concede.
"Despite making up ground in the vote total since election night in this close race, with today’s ballot release, it has become clear that the path to victory is unlikely," said Rittereiser in a statement. "As a result, I have reached out to Kim Schrier to offer my congratulations, support, and best wishes in the general election."
Rittereiser trailed Schrier by around 1,116 votes, according to the latest count, with a small percentage of ballots left to be counted.
Both Rittereiser and the third Democratic front-runner Shannon Hader have called for party unity in the wake of the primary results.
Dr. Kim Schrier, a pediatrician from Issaquah, entered the race last summer, in the months following the Republican Congress's effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.
Schrier raised the most money of the Democratic front-runners—more than $1.6 million, ahead of the primary, attracting the support of high-profile groups such as Emily’s list—a political action committee that supports female Democratic candidates.
The district remains a key target for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee as they try to take back control of the U.S. House.
Dr. Schrier will face Republican Dino Rossi, a former state lawmaker and former statewide candidate who ran for governor twice and the U.S. Senate. Despite falling short in his three statewide bids, he carried the 8th congressional district in each race.
The district, currently held by retiring incumbent Dave Reichert, has remained Republican since it was created in 1980.
However, it's also voted for Democratic presidential candidates, making it a true swing district. The 8th's geography, which spans both sides of the Cascades, includes the eastern suburbs of King County, a portion of Pierce County and stretches across the mountains into Chelan, Douglas and Kittitas counties.
RELATED: Complete 8th District race coverage
In another closely watched race, Democrat Sarah Smith advances to the general election to face Democratic incumbent Adam Smith in the 9th District.
Sarah Smith widened her lead over Republican Doug Basler for the second spot.
Sarah Smith was recruited to run by Brand New Congress, a group formed by Bernie Sanders supporters that aims to upturn the political establishment. She was following the path of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who unseated incumbent Rep. Joe Crowley, D-New York, in the June primary and was also backed by Brand New Congress.
The heavily Democratic 9th District covers parts of King and Pierce counties, including South Seattle, Bellevue, the Port of Tacoma, Renton, Kent, Tukwila, Des Moines, and Federal Way.
