Reichert held an early led over Burner, who is trying for a second time to unseat the incumbent. Both appeared well on their way to advancing to the November general election.

Elsewhere, several congressional incumbents also were poised to advance to the general election, with substantial leads over their likely November opponents.

The 8th District race apparently will be a rematch of the 2006 campaign, when Reichert edged Burner by a vote of 51 percent to 49 percent.

Reichert is a two-term incumbent who previously was a popular King County sheriff. But political observers say the Republican may be vulnerable because of the unpopularity of President Bush. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has made defeating Reichert a top priority.

“We’re pleased with what we’re seeing so far,” Amanda Halligan, Reichert’s spokeswoman, said late Tuesday. “There is no question for us that we would wind up in the top two, which in the end is what matters.”

Though she trailed Reichert, Burner noted that the incumbent had not received a majority of votes in early returns.

“I’m really happy with the results,” said Burner, a former Microsoft manager. “The majority of voters in this district made it clear they want a change in this country.”

Four other candidates lagged behind Reichert and Burner in early returns. Two ran as Democrats: James Vaughn of Orting and Keith Arnold of Auburn. Two others, John Orlinski of Bellevue and Richard Todd of Snoqualmie, stated no party preference.

In other congressional races:

 • Incumbent Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Belfair, and Republican Doug Cloud appeared to advance to the November general election in the 6th District.

Dicks, first elected in 1976, is the senior member of Washington’s congressional delegation. He’s seldom faced a serious challenge, but this year he took flak from some Democrats for his support of war funding.

Cloud, a Tacoma attorney, is challenging Dicks for the third time.

Two other candidates – Democrat Paul Richmond and Green Party nominee Gary Murrell – apparently will not advance to the general election.

 • In the 3rd District, incumbent Rep. Brian Baird, D-Vancouver, advanced to the general election.

Republican Michael Delavar, a Washougal airline pilot, led two other candidates for the second spot on the November ballot in early returns.

Trailing were Democrat Cheryl Crist and Republican Christine Webb.

 • In the 9th District, incumbent Rep. Adam Smith, D-Tacoma, and Republican James Postma, a retired engineer from Steilacoom, advanced to the general election. They were the only candidates.

David Wickert: 253-274-7341

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