Former Democratic state lawmaker Maxine Dexter beat Republican challenger Joanna Harbour to represent Oregon's 3rd Congressional District, the Associated Press reports.
Why it matters: The 3rd District is solidly liberal, representing nearly 700,000 voters in Multnomah, Clackamas and Hood River counties.
Flashback: Democrat Earl Blumenauer has represented the district for nearly three decades before announcing his retirement last year.
Catch up quick: Dexter, a former state representative and critical care physician, beat out several competitors in the May Democratic primary and has already begun meeting with Blumenauer to plan for her assumed transition.
By the number: Dexter secured 68% of the vote as of 8:15pm Tuesday, with Republican Joanna Harbour — a lawyer and entrepreneur originally from Estacada — trailing with just over 26%, AP reports.
The bottom line: With a victory highly likely, the most interesting aspect of the race may not be whether Dexter wins, but by how much.