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Washington: John Koster Last Republican Standing in 1st District

John Koster suddenly finds himself the only Republican in Washington’s open 1st district race.

James Watkins and Greg Anders announced late last week that they were dropping their bids, leaving Koster the lone Republican in what will be the most competitive district in the state.

While other Republicans could still run, Koster can now focus on the six Democrats also vying to advance past the August top-two primary to replace Rep. Jay Inslee (D), who is running for governor. Democratic candidates include former 8th district nominees Suzan DelBene and Darcy Burner, state Sen. Steve Hobbs, state Rep. Roger Goodman, former state Rep. Laura Ruderman and tech executive Darshan Rauniyar.

“I look forward to hearing the Democrats defend the leader of their party for imposing an enormously expensive and unpopular government-run health care plan on all Americans, while saddling us and our posterity with unconscionable deficits and debt,” said Koster, who lost two previous Congressional races in the 2nd district.

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