Darcy Burner Leading in the Polls

A new poll commissioned by 21^st Century Democrats shows progressive Democrat Darcy Burner, the first candidate endorsed by 21^st Century Democrats this election cycle, pulling into a clear lead over conservative Republican incumbent Congressman Dave Reichert in the race for Washington State’s 8^th Congressional District.  Burner leads Reichert, 44 percent to 39 percent, with 17 percent undecided.  

The poll was conducted one day (August 28) after President Bush made a high-profile fundraising visit to the district to reward Reichert for his lockstep support – 17 votes and counting – of the president’s determination to extend the misguided war in Iraq indefinitely.  Beginning August 24, a four-day “Burn Bush for Burner” netroots fundraising drive culminating in a virtual town hall on Iraq live-streamed over the web generated close to $125,000 in small dollar contributions to Burner from more than 3,200 donors.

“Darcy’s Burner’s phenomenal success in using the web to reach voters with her message about ending rather than extending the war is clearly resonating with Democrats and Independents in the district,” said Mark Lotwis, executive director of 21^st Century Democrats. 

The poll showed that both candidates had largely locked up support from members of their respective parties, with 82 percent of Republicans supporting Reichert and 85 percent of Democrats backing Burner. Most notably, Independents were breaking strongly in favor of Burner, 40 percent to 24 percent (with 36 percent undecided).

That split appears to be a reflection of President Bush’s deep unpopularity among independents in the district because of the war: 83% of independents rated the president’s job approval negatively in the poll.  Even among 8^th District Republicans, more than one third – 36% - disapproved of Bush’s performance in office.

The automated poll of 509 registered voters in the district was conducted by Powell Phones of Portland, Oregon on August 28, 2007 and was donated to Burner’s campaign as an in-kind contribution by 21^st Century Democrats.

Read more about Darcy Burner.