State Sen. Rodney Tom (D-Medina) has withdrawn from the race for U.S. Rep for Washington's 8th District. Seven weeks ago, Tom announced that he would run for the Democratic nomination to challenge Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Auburn), drawing ire from bloggers solidly behind Darcy Burner, the 2006 nominee. Tom is a former Republican state representative, but he switched parties in 2006 to challenge a Republican state senator and defeated him decisively in the rapidly bluing Eastside of King County.
Tom has endorsed Burner, saying, "Our fundraising was going great, but Darcy Burner's campaign has been phenomenal. Darcy has over 3,200 contributors, an incredible statement to her broad base of support." Indeed.
With an eye to the general election, Tom noted that his "purpose from the start was to replace the current congressman with someone who actually represents the values of the 8th District. Dave Reichert is completely out of step with the values shared in this district. Darcy Burner's campaign has proven they have the leadership, strength and momentum to win next November."
Tom got a lot of heat, particularly from David Goldstein of Horse's Ass, for running for the 8th District nomination and for suggesting that a former Republican had a better chance than a progressive like Darcy Burner, and I think he was probably wrong about that. But his withdrawal from the race and endorsement of Burner should prove the answer to Goldstein's question, "Is Rodney Tom a real Democrat?" Hell yes. Democrats can now focus all their resources on defeating Reichert from now until November 2008.
In addition, Tom's withdrawal is a testament to the good publicity and solid fundraising that Burner got from last week's "Burn Bush" fundraiser. It's unfair to tar him as a conservative Dem (his record in the state senate indicates otherwise) or a Bush Dog Democrat, but Burner showed that she's the real people-powered candidate here, in what should be another exciting race in the "Bloody 8th."
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