Retiring Washington GOP Rep. Dave Reichert

Democrats got some huge news on Wednesday when GOP Rep. Dave Reichert announced that he would not seek re-election to Washington’s 8th congressional district, a competitive seat in suburban Seattle. Reichert is a former King County sheriff who made his name after the serial killer Gary Ridgway, known as the Green River Killer, was apprehended on his watch (though it’s a stretch to say that Reichert himself was the one who caught Ridgway), and he first won a seat in the House in 2004.

Democrats repeatedly tried to unseat Reichert once he took office, but he proved to be an incredibly tough target, and he managed to pull off close wins during both the 2006 and 2008 Democratic waves. He also survived a surprisingly tight race during 2010, a strong GOP year, but redistricting soon made his seat redder and Democrats haven’t made a serious effort to oust him since then.

However, Washington’s 8th backed Obama 50-48 and Clinton 48-45, so with Reichert gone, it will instantly spring to the top of Democratic target lists. A few Democrats were already running before Reichert called it quits, but none are especially prominent, and other, more established figures will likely take a much closer look at running now.

Republicans have held this seat for a long time, though, and they’re not going to give it up without a fight. Indeed, Evergreen State Republicans have a history of performing well in districts that backed Clinton and Obama, so Democrats can take nothing for granted. It’s also worth noting that Washington elections are run using a so-called “top-two” primary: All the candidates will face off on one primary ballot next year, and the two candidates with the most votes will advance to the general, regardless of their party. In all likelihood, though, one Democrat and one Republican will face off in November of 2018.

Please give $3 today to help turn Washington’s 8th District from red to blue!