Sound Politics: Reichert declared winner, Burner refuses to concede

November 13, 2006

Reichert declared winner, Burner refuses to concede

The Seattle Times "Developing News" box on the home page at this writing says that Reichert has "declared victory". The Associated Press now reports that Dave Reichert has been re-elected, but

Burner's campaign refused to concede the race, saying it believed the Democrat could stay alive after some 20,000 absentee ballots dropped off at polling sites are counted.

Far be it from me to call a race conclusively over before either all the votes are counted or one of the candidates concedes, but Burner doesn't have much basis to remain hopeful.

UPDATE: The Seattle Times now reports that Burner will make a statement Tuesday. Eli Sanders at The Stranger calls the race "over", and reports that Burner is "placing a call to Reichert tonight".

Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at November 13, 2006 07:52 PM | Email This

Comments

1. Stefan - It is unclear that the Burner campaign refuses to concede. That AP wire article is already old inasmuch as Reichert is now declaring victory.

I suspect we will be hearing from the Burner campaign soon.

Nevertheless, the AP is forcing the issue in a race that really hasn't run to its conclusion - as you state, there are thousands of votes yet to count. Regardless of the chances, I personally think it is wrong for a news agency to be calling this race at this time.

Posted by: Daniel K on November 13, 2006 08:23 PM

2. "I personally think it is wrong for a news agency to be calling this race at this time."

Funny I never heard any objections when it was the media declaring Democrats winners.

I am quite sure Marcy is calling Ron Simm right now. I bet even Clownstein will be called in to falsify ballots.

Posted by: pbj on November 13, 2006 08:30 PM

3. The Seattle Times is now reporting

"On Monday, he eluded his party's nationwide losing streak by apparently beat back a fierce, expensive challenge from Democrat Darcy Burner"

...

"Burner will make a statement Tuesday, her campaign said."

Posted by: Lynne on November 13, 2006 08:37 PM

4. I agree, we haven't had three recounts yet, that is unfair to the King County Elections department.

How dare they call this race this early!

......:)

Posted by: GS on November 13, 2006 08:38 PM

5. With 60,000 ballots yet to be counted in King County (officialy at any point) and many more stuffed bags to go, it anybody's race.

Thats at least 80,000 potential Marcy Burnout votes to go! Why concede?

And anyway, if she doesn't win it must have we all know it was a Karl Rove trick!

Posted by: deadwood on November 13, 2006 08:50 PM

6. Well Darcy just conceded...

Posted by: Brad on November 13, 2006 08:54 PM

7. OK, you win we lose. You get Dave Reichert, we get the House and Senate.

Posted by: Unk on November 13, 2006 09:04 PM

8. Unk may be an idiot, but there is some truth in his last comment. Its back to the drawing board, and maybe next time the the fools in DC will be a little more repsonsive to those who elected them.

Posted by: deadwood on November 13, 2006 09:08 PM

9. Where is Schumer when we need him - or does he know that only Rs can concede with grace? Ds sue, recount until the desired result comes up...

Posted by: Fred on November 13, 2006 09:19 PM

10. Wow Unk. You're the first D to concede without calling for a recount, saying the election was rigged, or alleging the voting machines are faulty. I commend you. Maybe the D's who thumped the R's across the country last tuesday will follow your lead next time the shoe's on the other foot (which it inevitably will be), take their loss like a man, and move on.

Posted by: Brad on November 13, 2006 09:20 PM

11. Darcy called and conceded!

Posted by: Matthew Lundh on November 13, 2006 09:29 PM

12. I hope that she concedes defeat without demanding and financing a recount. Congratulations to Dave Reichert !

I am getting tired of the polarization and hyper-partisanism from both sides. That only sends promising signs of weakness within a country to the terrorists and as much as you don't want to hear it - both sides are at fault for doing it- the left may be more vitreolic and baseless... It's as if being united behind a cause is for wimps and wusses, when in reality it sends a stronger message to our adversaries.

Posted by: KS on November 13, 2006 09:32 PM

13. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

You're celebrating a victory for a Republican incumbent who barely squeaked in by the skin of his teeth over a 30 something newbie in a primarily Republican district.

You guys sound pitiful!!!

Get a grasp on reality.

Posted by: OurHouse on November 13, 2006 09:54 PM

14. Our House - you are pathetic and your lame rhetoric enables the terrorists. A win is a win ! The 8th District is barely Republican, by the way.

Posted by: KS on November 13, 2006 10:01 PM

15. OurHouse, uh, actually it's the other way around. You should be very embarrassed that even in a year of massive gains for Democrats, and particularly so in WA state, this was a seat that was actually lost.

Darcy Burner should have won this race, but she consistently let arrogance trump sound campaign strategy. The joke's on you.

Congrats on the wins, Americans clearly wanted some change. But not candidates backed by radical Nutroots Progressives.

Posted by: Jeff B. on November 13, 2006 10:01 PM

16. I don't think Burner should have won this race. She didn't deserve to. Too many ethical lapses like the pirated TVW footage and Yon photo used in her campaign, and refusal to acknowledge it much. The reports say that all other candidates in WA have always honored the rule of not using TVW footage. It was a low move. She puffed up her resume and had to be corrected. Even the MSM acknowledged her mean-spirited campaign. her supporters were rude and ill-mannered. I think Reichert showed class during the whole thing. Even the King County Journal essentially called Burner crass. So I don't feel too charitable about her campaign.

Posted by: michele on November 13, 2006 10:24 PM

17. Michele, I agree with you, she should not have won the race for the reasons you cite. However, given the huge tide of Dem victories, if she had been less extreme or visited Pierce County more, etc. there was easily enough support to given her a win, even as a very marginal candidate and that's my point. It was theirs to lose and they blew it.

Posted by: Jeff B. on November 13, 2006 11:09 PM

18. "or visited Pierce County more..."

Maybe if she even visited the east side more! Her campaign office (same building Dave Ross was in two years ago) is/was right across the alley from my office, but the only place I ever saw Darcy was on the screen... in Seattle.

Or maybe Baghdad Jim can adopt her as his protege. She already knows the district.

Posted by: Joe Waldron on November 14, 2006 09:30 AM