Schrier holds narrow lead as Larsen, DelBene cruise to re-election

EVERETT — U.S. Reps. Rick Larsen and Suzan DelBene cruised to re-election Tuesday, assuring they will represent Snohomish County in Congress again next year.

It may be a couple days before Democratic Rep. Kim Schrier, who also serves the county, will know if she’ll join them.

Schrier enjoyed the lead on Republican Matt Larkin in the 8th Congressional District, a contest that’s garnered national interest as the outcome will help determine each party’s influence next year. Schrier, of Sammamish, led Larkin, of Woodinville, 52.7% to 47% in Tuesday’s ballot count.

1st Congressional District

DelBene, 60, of Medina, won a sixth term by defeating Republican Vincent Cavaleri, a Mill Creek City Council member and a longtime corrections deputy with Snohomish County sheriff’s office. DelBene received 63.6% to Cavaleri’s 36.3%.

DelBene, a moderate Democrat, leads the centrist New Democrat Coalition, the party’s largest caucus in the chamber. She has touted her expansion of the Child Tax Credit last year as well as earmarking millions for Washington’s roads, transit and airports in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. She pledged to steer clear of “hyperpartisanship.”

Cavaleri, 57, focused on three areas: improving public safety, reducing federal spending and curbing the flow of undocumented immigrants across the southern border. This was his first run for Congress.

2nd Congressional District

Larsen, 57, was beating Republican Dan Matthews, 61.5% to 38.3%. The win gives Larsen a 12th term, extending his streak as the district’s longest-serving House member. He also beat Matthews in 2012.

Larsen, an Arlington native, serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and could become chair next session if Democrats hold the majority. He currently leads the aviation subcommittee. He played a key role in passing legislation reforming the Federal Aviation Administration’s process for certifying aircraft, such as the Boeing 737 Max.

Matthews, 72, of Mukilteo, is a retired U.S. Air Force pilot. The self-described social and fiscal conservative campaigned on strengthening the economy, securing the southern border and “defending the family.”

8th Congressional District

Republicans entered Tuesday needing to gain at least five seats in electoral battles across the country to take majority control of the U.S. House. The GOP viewed Schrier’s seat as a potential pick-up.

With redistricting, roughly 47,000 voters in Snohomish County got a say. The district is spread across parts of six counties — Snohomish, King, Pierce, Chelan, Kittitas and Douglas. In Snohomish County, Darrington, Granite Falls and communities along U.S. 2 such as Sultan and Gold Bar are now in it. So too is part of Monroe.

Though Schrier led Tuesday, she trailed in Snohomish County where Larkin received 54.2% of votes tallied.

Schrier, 54, is seeking a third term. Until her election in 2018, Republicans had held the seat since the early 1980s. Schrier worked two decades as a pediatrician, a career she pursued after earning a bachelor’s degree in astrophysics at University of California, Berkeley.

She campaigned on her record, citing 14 bills signed since entering office, eight by former President Donald Trump and six by President Joe Biden.

The debate on abortion rights made its way into this race as it did many of this year’s congressional elections.

Schrier backs a federal law guaranteeing access to abortion care services nationwide. She criticized Larkin on the subject, saying his support of a national ban on abortion without exceptions “is extreme and dangerous and wildly out of step.”

Larkin said he is “pro-life” and looks for ways to affirm the “miracle of birth.” He demurred on how he’d vote on a national ban. He said it is “hypothetical” right now.

Larkin, 41, is a part-owner and attorney for his family’s business, Romac Industries, a manufacturer of waterworks pipes, clamps, couplings and more. Two years ago, he made an unsuccessful challenge of Democratic Attorney General Bob Ferguson.

In his campaign, he vowed to take actions to bolster public safety, curb federal spending and address rising inflation.

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