Schrier, Goers to clash for 8th Congressional District seat

Showdown between Democratic incumbent Kim Schrier and Auburn Republican Carmen Goers

The race is on for the 8th Congressional District seat between Democratic incumbent Kim Schrier and Auburn Republican Carmen Goers.

Schrier, of Sammamish, won the Aug. 6 primary and Goers took second to advance to the Nov. 5 general election.

“These are exciting primary results, and I am so grateful to everyone who voted for me,” Schrier posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “The people of the 8th District have seen how I have delivered for them and know I will continue to fight to bring down costs, ensure everyone feels safe in their community, and make Roe the law of the land.”

Goers easily defeated the other two primary candidates to set up a showdown with Schrier.

“I am grateful for the people of the 8th Congressional District,” Goers said in an Aug. 7 press release. “Tonight (Aug. 6) is a night of celebration and with your help we will celebrate again in November.”

Schrier leads the four-candidate Aug. 6 primary with 50.13% of the vote, according to results updated Aug. 8 by the Secretary of State. Schrier has received 104,433 votes. Goers is second with 44.98% (93,710 votes). Sammamish Democrat Imraan Siddiqi is in third with 3.5% followed by Auburn Democrat Keith Arnold with 1.2%.

“The general election will be another very tough race, and I look forward to getting back to work to deliver for the 8th District,” Schrier said.

The 8th District covers all or parts of King, Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Pierce and Snohomish counties, including portions of the cities of Kent and Auburn. The district stretches east to Ellensburg and Wenatchee.

Goers, a Kent commercial banker, served on the Public Facilities District Board for the accesso ShoWare Center in Kent. She lost in the 2022 primary for the 47th Legislative District House Position 2 seat, won by Chris Stearns, D-Auburn. She has raised $167,357.

“As Republicans we worked hard to avoid a primary fight, and that hard work paid off tonight,” Goers said at an Aug. 6 Pierce County Republican Party watch party in Puyallup. “We’ve had three terms of failed leadership from our current congresswoman. In two of those terms, she was in the majority and couldn’t help curve inflation, help our farmers, stop a growing crime pandemic, or even provide resources to our officers.

“In fact, she did the exact opposite by voting against our law enforcement officers, our small businesses, and the communities she claims to represent. We need a change and I’m excited to work with you to bring that change to our district and state.”

Schrier is seeking a fourth consecutive two-year term to return to Washington, D.C. She defeated Republican Dino Rossi with 52% of the vote in the 2018 general election after Republican Dave Reichert decided not to run again; beat Republican Jesse Jensen with 51.7% of the vote in 2020; and defeated Republican Matt Larkin with 53.7% of the vote in 2022.

Schrier, who worked as an Issaquah pediatrician for 17 years, has raised $4.6 million so far for her campaign, according to the Federal Election Commission.