We meant to post this last week, but got overrun with stories. Washington State businesswoman Darcy Burner, who came just 7,000 votes away from beating Republican Rep. Dave Reichert, had to pull through some personal tragedy last week when a faulty lamp caused a fire, destroying her home. Burner, who is running against Reichert a second time, her husband and their son were unhurt, thanks to the five year old waking his parents up.
The fire at Burner's house, near the small town of Carnation, destroyed everything inside, save the couple's car, complete with Darcy Burner for Congress bumper sticker, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported.
Burner and Reichert will face off in one of the most closely divided districts in the country, just east of Seattle and running from Bellevue and the north King County border to the Cascade foothills and Mount Rainier, the state's highest peak. Both have proven prodigious fundraisers, and Reichert, who won just 51% in his second term after scoring 52% in his first term, is a master at voter contact.
Despite the fire, Burner says she's staying in the race. In a district that gave both John Kerry and Al Gore narrow wins, the Democrat is sure to give Reichert a race. But with a voting record near the middle of the House and a reputation as The Sheriff (Reichert served as King County Sheriff and won acclaim for his role in catching a local serial killer, the Green River Killer), Reichert remains the early favorite.
For more on the district we called "America's swing district," check out our backgrounder on the race, from last September.
