Democrats try to flip Washington district for the first time

ISSAQUAH, Wash. (AP) — A political newcomer is trying to capture an open U.S. House seat in Washington state for Democrats for the first time while facing a well-known Republican.

The 8th Congressional District is one of three GOP-held seats in Washington that Democrats are hoping to win in November. Longtime Republican U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert is retiring.

The seat has been held by Republicans since it was created in the early 1980s.

It comes as Democrats target two dozen districts nationwide held by the GOP but whose voters chose Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election.

Democrat Kim Schrier, a doctor and national party favorite, faces Republican Dino Rossi.

Rossi is a former GOP candidate for governor and U.S. Senate who has carried the district in statewide races. But he hasn’t won a general election in 18 years.