Larsen, DelBene and Jayapal cruising toward re-election

EVERETT — Snohomish County will continue to be represented by three Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Incumbent Reps. Suzan DelBene of Medina, Rick Larsen of Everett and Pramila Jayapal of Seattle took commanding leads Tuesday over spirited but underfunded Republican challengers.

DelBene led Jeffrey Beeler of Sultan 60.6% to 39.3% in the 1st Congressional District which stretches from suburbs in northeast King County to the Canadian border. It takes in parts of Snohomish County, including Darrington, Granite Falls, Lake Stevens, Mill Creek, Monroe, Snohomish and Sultan.

“I am pleased with our strong showing,” DelBene said. “With COVID, it’s been a very different campaign because we haven’t been able to meet with people in person as we did in the past.”

DelBene, 58, who will be earning a fifth term, also defeated Beeler, 51, a Sultan City Councilman and small business owner, in 2018.

Larsen was ahead of Timothy Hazelo 65.4% to 34.4% in the 2nd Congressional District which encompasses all of Island and San Juan counties, plus western Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom counties. It includes Everett, Marysville, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Mukilteo, Arlington, Stanwood and Tulalip.

With the win, Larsen, 55, will secure an 11th term, extending his status as the district’s longest-serving congressman.

“Tonight’s initial vote count is heartening. I am grateful for the support our campaign has received throughout the 2nd District,” Larsen said in a statement.

“In this next Congress, we must address the public health and economic crisis of the pandemic,” he continued. “I remain focused on fighting for an economic recovery that includes everyone, expanding health care access, tackling climate change and protecting voting rights.”

Hazelo, 52, of Oak Harbor, is a retired air crewman with the U.S. Navy and has worked in the private sector as an investment adviser.

In the 7th Congressional District, Jayapal sewed up a second term as she led Craig Keller by an overwhelming margin of 84.6% to 15.2%. This district covers communities in King County and south Snohomish County, including much of Seattle as well as Edmonds, Woodway and Shoreline.

Jayapal and Keller, both Seattle residents, also faced off in 2018. Jayapal received 83.6% of the vote then.

Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @dospueblos.