Blue America candidate Darcy Burner announced she will concede her congressional race to incumbent Dave Reichert in Washington’s 8th District.
The Seattle Times has the sad news:
U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert has survived a second Democratic wave election, bucking a national trend that flipped at least 24 Republican congressional seats to Democrats.
His opponent, Darcy Burner, conceded tonight after The Associated Press determined tonight that Reichert’s lead for the 8th District seat was insurmountable.
In a statement tonight, Burner said: "It is likely at this point that Congressman Reichert has won re-election, and while we will certainly ensure that every valid vote is counted, we accept the decision of the voters.
"I would like to thank the thousands of people who put so much time and effort into the campaign, as well as the countless thousands more who went beyond voting to actively participate in our democratic process this year. The election of Barack Obama as our new president will ensure that the change to the direction of our country called for in this campaign is realized in the new year."
Our best wishes to Darcy and her family, along with the hope she will begin her campaign for 2010 as soon as possible.
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Echo that urging for starting the next campaign now. Hereabouts we watched Collin Peterson run for the Minn 7th District Congressional seat for 5 or 6 times before he finally prevailed. Now he chairs the Ag Committee, a cornerstone of this region’s economy.
Good reminder, Prairie, thank you.
Best to Darcy, and to all her supporters who have Reichert to cope with for another two years.
Damn! What is it about that District? Are the demographics changing to make it more attainable?
So sorry. Darcy was one of the best BlueAmerica candidates. Hope she runs again.
What was the final tally?
I had the opportunity to meet Darcy recently, she is very determined. It would not surprise me to hear she would consider running again.
Maybe they can gerrymander Reichert into oblivion…!
I think they don’t have a final tally, just that the counting looked like there was an insurmountable lead for Reichert.
Unlike, say, the races in Alaska or Georgia or Minnesota, which continue.
I hope they’ll investigate what is stinking up the joint in Alaska…! Something is seriously amiss there…
darcy needs to go away.
she seems unable to construct a winning campaign. even with coattails.
Do you have a better candidate in mind for that district?
It might make more sense for her to take a cycle off and run in 2012 when Washington is likely to have an additional congressional seat after redistricting. Get involved on some significant policy initiative. I’m sure newly re-elected Gov. Gregoire could find some interesting role for her to beef up her public sector experience.
The RNC poured a ton of money into her district. It made a difference. They identified it as one of the few seats they could retain.
Dam Darcy is a good candidate! Well pups please Digg this post!
Any #s on how much each spent? Would be good to know if it was mainly a matter of money & if, knowing that, it could be made up by DCCC or BlueAmerica. Do you know if the Ds supported her?
Thanks EG for the info and update.
Our best to Darcy Burner . . . she went thru so much this time around.
May she rise to run again. She’s got the right stuff. She has the right heart.
Responding to CTuttle — Washington State has a very successful non-partisan redistricting process. Each state legislative House and Senate caucus leader (a Democrat and a Republican) appoint a member of the commission. The commissioners then elect a non-voting chair. They redraw the boundary lines for Congressional and Legislative districts, then submit it to the Legislature for an up-or-down vote. It’s the main reason Washington had an evenly divided legislature -literally a 50/50 divide – for several years in the mid- to late-90s.
It’s a fair process that prevents shenanigans like Tom Delay’s mucking around in Texas. So, like it or not, no gerrymandering of Reichert. We’ll have to beat him fair and square.
If you are following the solar saga here is a link to the latest!
late late nite up at the mothership
Thank you kindly, Nahant.
That makes too much sense! Where’s Delay when ya need ‘em?
Thanks, Darcy. Please hang in there. This is not the last battle.
Yup!
I agree with albert. As a resident of the 8th who actively campaigned for her, it’s time for the dems to find a new candidate. If she couldn’t win this one, she’ll never beat Reichert.
Possible candidates for 2010: State sen Eric Oemig, State rep Larry Springer, etc.
Wow, this is another blow. Darcy is so swell, what is it with people?
Do that many people think the Green River Killer Sheriff, who didn’t really find the Green River Killer, is a good Congressman? Because I’ve got news for them — he ain’t all that and a bag of chips.
Best of luck to Darcy and her family in whatever she decides to pursue next.
And Governor Gregoire could do worse than find a job for her, if she’s so inclined.
GodDammit.
correct
Noooo!
Good Morning Egregious and Firedogs,
posted in another thread -
Washington State:
87 Killed in Action
887 Wounded in Action
Marcy was behind The Responsible Plan to End The Occupation. Fellow Washingtonian Maj Gen Paul Eaton was a Co Signee.
Big Orange strongly suggests local media gave Darcy less than favorable coverage. found this while googling:
Seconded.
Very bummed. I’d been checking up on this race, on the NYT election map, twice a day since Tuesday and was so saddened to see the district filled in in red this morning.
Darcy’s boldness and leadership set an example and empowered many other candidates.
I don’t know what her next steps will be, but I don’t expect her to disappear. She has too much talent, fire, intelligence and passion.
My warmest regards to Darcy, and my thanks.