2 Democrats enter race for Congress

A former Microsoft executive and a Bellevue attorney have filed to run against U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert next year in the 8th Congressional District.

Democrats Darcy Burner and Randy Gordon have little political experience or name recognition, but they say their opposition to the war in Iraq and other views are a better fit for the district, which includes parts of east and south King County and east Pierce County.

Democrats have targeted Reichert, a freshman Republican elected last fall, as potentially vulnerable in next year's election. Last year, the party recruited Dave Ross, a prominent radio host, to run against Reichert, even though two lesser-known Democrats were already running.

Burner, 34, resigned last year as a group program manager at Microsoft to enter politics. She lives in the Carnation area with her husband and son and said that as a congresswoman she would focus on creating jobs and other opportunities for residents, as well as protecting civil liberties.

Winning a congressional seat "takes someone who knows what everyone in the district is going through," Burner said.

Gordon, 52, has worked as an attorney on the Eastside for more than two decades, with a focus on representing workers' rights. He lives in Bellevue and has two daughters and a stepdaughter.

He said the country is full of people without insurance or homes, and yet "we're seeing a mass diversion of our resources overseas" in Iraq.

Burner has two public campaign kickoffs planned this week: from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Clise House in Marymoor Park, 6046 West Lake Sammamish Parkway N.E. in Redmond, and from 6 to 8 p.m. tomorrow at Newaukum Grange, 38420 180th Ave. S.E. in Auburn.

Gordon said he is campaigning in earnest but will hold a public kickoff sometime next year.

He said he has raised about $100,000, while Burner said she has raised about $60,000.

Ashley Bach: 206-464-2567 or abach@seattletimes.com