Republican U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who is fourth in House leadership and the highest-ranking woman in the GOP, faces a formidable challenge in the 5th Congressional District from Democrat Lisa Brown.

It is one of three U.S. House races in Washington state getting national attention as Democrats try to gain control of the chamber. Democrats also are mounting strong challenges for two other Republican-held districts—the 8th, which stretches from Seattle’s eastern suburbs across the Cascade Mountains, and the 3rd, in southwestern Washington.

Congressional races in Washington state are usually predictable, with incumbents holding their seats with relative ease.

“I think it’s just a matter of everyone anticipating that 2018 would be a good year for Democrats,” said Travis Ridout, a political science professor at Washington State University. “A lot of high-quality Democratic candidates saw that they might have a good chance and decided to run this year.”

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NOTE: This article went out through the AP. It was picked up by many more media outlets. Too many to list.