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.
Please send comments or corrections to AlmanacEditorial@nationaljournal.com.
Race Rankings
Based on likelihood of seat switching party control
1.2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Previous Coverage
Check out National Journal's coverage of previous Washington house races.