A state Senator who was a Republican until last year will run against Darcy Burner, the 2006 nominee, in the 8th district Democratic primary.

State Sen. Rodney Tom (D) plans to officially enter the race today, according to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

Burner has the jump on Tom, and even Rep. Dave Reichert (R), when it comes to fundraising. She banked more than $185,000 by July 1, while Reichert, the popular former King County sheriff, had about $160,000.

Burner, who had never sought public office before last year, won plaudits for her impressive fundraising ability. That led national Democrats to fully embrace the former Microsoft manager, who ultimately lost to Reichert 51 percent to 49 percent.

State Rep. Christopher Hurst (D) also weighed a bid, but he and Tom agreed that only one of them should challenge Burner.

“One of our very big concerns was I didn’t want to run in a primary against Rodney and he didn’t want a primary with me in it,” Hurst told the paper.

“No disrespect to Darcy … but she had her run, in what was probably the best year in 40 years to run as a Democrat, and she came up short,” Hurst told The Seattle Times.

Burner responded with a statement last week.

“Our most recent fundraising quarter gives me confidence that nothing can stop us from defeating Congressman Reichert next November,” she said.

“Rodney Tom only recently figured out that the policies of [President] George Bush are wrong for our country,” Burner said, taking a shot at Tom for his late political conversion.
— Nicole Duran