Washington's 8th congressional district included most of the region known as the Eastside and the mostly rural eastern parts of King and Pierce counties prior to 2010 redistricting. It is currently represented in the U.S. House of Representatives by Republican Dave Reichert. The state redistricting in response to population changes determined by the 2010 census shifts much of the "Eastside" portions of what was District 8 to District 9, and adds regions east of the Cascades to District 8. (Map at right is post-redistricting)
Since its creation after the 1980 U.S. Census, the 8th District has been the only Republican bastion west of the Cascade Mountains. Before 2010 redistricting, the district had the peculiarity of having a Democratic advantage according to it's cook PVI, but only having elected Republicans to Congress throughout its history. The District's PVI is now slightly Republican after redistricting and the GOP winning streak is still active as of after the 2012 elections. This district could be compared to Illinois's 10th congressional district or Connecticut's 4th congressional district in terms of voting patterns.
Voters in the district narrowly favored Democratic presidential candidates Al Gore in 2000 and John Kerry in 2004, and favoring Democrat Barack Obama by almost 15 points over Republican John McCain in the 2008 presidential election.
Read more about Washington's 8th Congressional District: Recent History, Voting, List of Representatives, See Also
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