Washington House
Filing Deadline: June 6, 2008 • Primary Date: Aug. 19, 2008 • General Election: Nov. 4, 2008District Profile: Politically, this area has been torn by forces of roughly equal strength, cultural liberalism and economic conservatism, though the former seems predominant. Full Profile
2006 results: Jay Inslee (D) defeated Larry Ishmael (R) by 68-32%.
Incumbent
Jay Inslee (D)
Elected in 1998; Seeking seventh term; Inslee was nominated with 67% in a two-way non-partisan primary.
Challengers
Larry Ishmael (R)Ishmael, a businessman, was nominated with 34% in a two-way non-partisan primary.
District Profile: The political tradition in most of the lumbering and fishing areas here is Democratic, while the rich agricultural areas are more Republican. Full Profile
2006 results: Rick Larsen (D) defeated Doug Roulstone (R) by 64-36%.
Incumbent
Rick Larsen (D)
Elected in 2000; Seeking fifth term; Larsen was nominated with 55% in a four-way non-partisan primary.
Challengers
Rick Bart (R)Bart, the former Snohomish County Sheriff, was nominated with 38% in a four-way non-partisan primary.
District Profile: Economic growth and diversification and the coming of many new residents with no roots in the old industries have made the 3rd a politically marginal district. Full Profile
2006 results: Brian Baird (D) defeated Michael Messmore (R) by 63-37%.
Incumbent
Brian Baird (D)
Elected in 1998; Seeking sixth term; Baird was nominated with 51% in a four-way non-partisan primary.
Challengers
Michael Delavar (R)Delavar, an airline pilot, was nominated with 20% in a four-way non-partisan primary.
District Profile: In an area once narrowly split between the parties, opinion has shifted sharply, making this the most GOP district in the state. Full Profile
2006 results: Doc Hastings (R) defeated Richard Wright (D) by 60-40%.
Incumbent
Doc Hastings (R)
Elected in 1994; Seeking eighth term; Hastings was nominated with 62% in a three-way non-partisan primary.
Challengers
George Fearing (D)Fearing, an attorney, was nominated with 33% in a three-way non-partian primary.
District Profile: Its political inclinations are Republican, but not as Republican as most of the nearby Rocky Mountain states. Full Profile
2006 results: Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R) defeated Peter Goldmark (D) by 56-44%.
Incumbent
Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R)
Elected in 2004; Seeking third term; McMorris Rodgers was nominated with 56% in a six-way non-partisan primary.
Challengers
Mark Mays (D)Mays, a psychologist, was nominated with 20% in a six-way non-partisan primary.
District Profile: As cultural issues have become more important, and as Seattle latte liberals come to symbolize the Democratic party, these areas have trended a bit away from the party. Full Profile
2006 results: Norm Dicks (D) defeated Doug Cloud (R) by 71-29%.
Incumbent
Norm Dicks (D)
Elected in 1976; Seeking 17th term; Dicks was nominated with 57% in a four-way non-partisan primary.
Challengers
Doug Cloud (R)Cloud, an attorney, was nominated with 30% in a four-way non-partisan primary.
District Profile: A generation ago, Seattle was roughly split between the parties; today, it is heavily Democratic and liberal. Full Profile
2006 results: Jim McDermott (D) defeated Steve Beren (R) by 79-16%.
Incumbent
Jim McDermott (D)
Elected in 1988; Seeking 11th term; McDermott was nominated with 74% in a six-way non-partisan primary.
Challengers
Steve Beren (R)Beren, an Internet marketing firm operations director, was nominated with 15% in a six-way non-partisan primary.
District Profile: This is the most affluent district in Washington, rivaled only by the 1st; politically it is market-oriented on economics, more liberal on the environment and other issues. Full Profile
2006 results: Dave Reichert (R) defeated Darcy Burner (D) by 51-49%.
Incumbent
Dave Reichert (R)
Elected in 2004; Seeking third term; Reichert was nominated with 48% in a six-way non-partisan primary.
Challengers
Darcy Burner (D)Burner, a former Microsoft executive, was nominated with 45% in a six-way non-partisan primary.
District Profile: This district was created after the 1990 Census and politically was almost perfectly balanced in the mid-1990s. It has since become more Democratic. Full Profile
2006 results: Adam Smith (D) defeated Steven Cofchin (R) by 66-34%.
Incumbent
Adam Smith (D)
Elected in 1996; Seeking seventh term; Smith was nominated with 65% in a two-way non-partisan primary.
Challengers
James Postma (R)Postma, a businessman, was nominated with 35% in a two-way non-partisan primary.
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Race Rankings
Based on likelihood of seat switching party control
1.
N.Y.-13
(Open-R)2.
N.Y.-25
(Open-R)3.
Ariz.-01
(Open-R)4.
Va.-11
(Open-R)5.
Fla.-16
(Mahoney-D)6.
Ill.-11
(Open-R)7.
Ohio-16
(Open-R)8.
Texas-22
(Lampson-D)9.
Alaska-AL
(Young-R)10.
Fla.-24
(Feeney-R)11.
N.J.-03
(Open-R)12.
Colo.-04
(Musgrave-R)13.
Mich.-09
(Knollenberg-R)14.
N.J.-07
(Open-R)15.
Minn.-06
(Bachmann-R)Previous Coverage
Check out National Journal's coverage of previous Washington house races.
