WA-08: Scaring the Crap out of the Republicans

by mcjoan [courtesy of Daily Kos]

Netroots hero Darcy Burner proves time and again that she's got the goods as a candidate. She does it with solidly progressive and forward-looking policy stands, and she does it with outstanding political skills, which include an ability to raise money. Lots of money. Via e-mail from her campaign:

Bellevue, WA (April 15) – Darcy Burner, the Democratic candidate for Congress in Washington State's 8th Congressional District, today reported having raised well over half a million dollars over the first three months of 2008, a result that is expected to place her first among challengers in Western states and among the top tier nationwide.

Burner will file documents with the Federal Elections Commission showing a total of $516,740 raised over the January to March quarter, putting her total raised over this election cycle at $1,374,866. After accounting for expenses, Burner reported $921,615 in the bank, up from $607,000 at the beginning of the year....

Burner's fundraising represents a major improvement over the pace she set during the last election cycle, when she lost narrowly to incumbent Republican Dave Reichert. Burner raised $334,000 in the first quarter of 2006, and this election cycle has banked more than two-and-a-half times the $357,000 she had saved at this point in the previous race.

Since declaring her intention to seek a rematch with Congressman Reichert in mid-March of 2007, Burner outraised the incumbent for three consecutive quarters to close out 2007, despite President Bush hosting a $1,000 and $10,000 a head fundraiser for Congressman Reichert last August. Congressman Reichert's close ties to the Bushes was again demonstrated in February, when First Lady Laura Bush hosted a private, high dollar fundraiser for Congressman Reichert at a Medina mansion that raised about $90,000, according to recent FEC filings.

The vast bulk of Burner's fundraising has come from individuals rather than PACs or political party committees – about $456,500 this quarter, or more than 88 percent of the total raised. Burner received 4,859 contributions from 4,416 individuals in the first quarter. Burner has received 11,615 contributions from 8,871 donors who have given over the course of the current campaign.

That's people powered politics, and may of you can be thanked for it. You can also take satisfaction in helping to keep the Republicans running scared. Incumbent Dave Reichert trailed Darcy in cash on hand at the end of last cycle by $144,000. Even with that $90K he picked up from Laura Bush's visit, he's going to be hard pressed to close the gap. Who knows when we'll see his numbers, much less what violations are going to show up this time.

Seven months out, Burner couldn't be in better shape. This is one to watch.

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