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NCEC Candidate Center - Washington

Washington

Presidential primary: Tuesday, February 19, 2008 (advisory)
Congressional filing deadline: July 2008
Congressional primary: September 2008

President (11 Electoral Votes)

George W. Bush came within 7 percentage points of winning Washington in 2004, but the state has not gone to the GOP since 1984. Washington is a large part of the Democratic-leaning Pacific Northwest, which is crucial to the party’s presidential election strategy. It is unlikely Washington will move over to the Republican side in 2008.

Washington Governor - Christine Gregoire (Dem)

Christine Gregoire (Dem) - Incumbent
Rob McKenna (Rep) - Attorney General and Former King County Councilman
Dino Rossi (Rep) - Former State Senate, Realtor and 2004 Nominee

1st District - Jay Inslee (Dem)

Western and eastern Puget Sound shores, north Seattle suburbs

Jay Inslee (Dem) - Incumbent
Larry Wayne Ishmael (Rep)

2nd District - Rick Larsen (Dem)

Puget Sound, Everett, Bellingham

Rick Larsen (Dem) - Incumbent
Doug Roulstone (Rep) - Businessman, Retired Navy Officer and 2006 Nominee

3rd District - Brian Baird (Dem)

Southwest corner/coast, Olympia, Vancouver

Brian Baird (Dem) - Incumbent
Michael Messmore (Rep) - Retired Airline Pilot, Businessman, Army Veteran and 2006 Nominee

4th District - Doc Hastings (Rep)

Middle third, Yakima, Tri-Cities

Doc Hastings (Rep) - Incumbent
Gordon Congdon (Dem) - Conservation Officer
George Fearing (Dem) - Attorney

5th District - Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Rep)

Eastern third, Spokane

Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Rep) - Incumbent
Peter James Goldmark (Dem)

6th District - Norm Dicks (Dem)

West/Olympic Peninsula, Bremerton

Norm Dicks (Dem) - Incumbent

7th District - Jim McDermott (Dem)

Seattle and suburbs

Jim McDermott (Dem) - Incumbent

8th District - Dave Reichert (Rep)

Bellevue, Seattle's King county suburbs

As a Republican in a Democratic state like Washington, Dave Reichert is a consistent target for Democrats. Reichert survived a scare by Democrat Darcy Burner in 2006, winning by less than 2 percent. Burner has announced that she will run again for the Democrats in 2008, and a rematch became all the more likely when Democratic challenger Rodney Tom withdrew his candidacy in early September and endorsed Burner. In 2006, Reichert and Burner spent more than 3 million dollars on the campaign, and this is sure to be a contentious race again in 2008. In 2004, John Kerry won this district by 3 percent, so the presidential race could aide Burner.

Dave Reichert (Rep) - Incumbent
Darcy Burner (Dem) - Former Microsoft Executive, Community Activist and 2006 Nominee
Rodney Tom (Dem) - State Senator, Former State Representative, Realtor and Former Republican