Midterm election results: Kim Schrier leads in Washington state's 8th Congressional District - Axios SeattleLog InLog InAxios Seattle is an Axios company.

Kim Schrier leads in Washington' s 8th Congressional District

Rep. Kim Schrier, a Democrat from Washington. Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images Democratic U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier was ahead of Republican Matt Larkin Tuesday, putting her within arms' reach of a third term representing Washington state's . Why it matters: The race has been considered one of a that will decide which party controls the House. Context: The 8th District, a former Republican stronghold, turned blue with Schrier's 2018 election. It includes suburbs east of Seattle as well as part of Central Washington. The latest: Schrier led in early ballot counts by nearly 6 percentage points (52.7% over 46.9%), according to . More votes will be counted in the coming days. Catch up quick: On the campaign trail, the candidates split on abortion rights and gun control along what has become the traditional party lines: Schrier supported the bill to that passed in the U.S. House in July, while Larkin told voters in a debate he would "fight for your right to carry a firearm and protect yourself with a firearm."Schrier touted herself as the "."Schrier asserted that Larkin's anti-abortion stance would play into Republicans' efforts to ban abortions nationwide. Larkin has said he would ", though he'd "want to see the specifics." Of note: While Washington voters added strong abortion protections into state law in 1991, those could be overturned if Congress were to pass a national ban. What's next: Tuesday's early returns are not final. Because votes are still being counted, the results could shift over the course of the week. Get more local stories in your inbox with .Subscribe Support local journalism by becoming a member.

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