Six-term Congresswoman Rep. Jennifer Dunn (WA-08)has announced that she will not be seeking reelection. The suprise announcement sets up an open-seat race in a very competitive district that will be a key pick-up opportunity for Democrats.
See: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/158868_dunn31.html
Dunn's retirement from politics is definitely good news for democrats. In addition to stepping down from the House, she had earlier refused to challenge Sen. Patty Murray, in spite of the recruitment efforts of Karl Rove.
Taking in Washington's most affluent areas, the 8th district has been historically Republican, but it has trended democratic in recent years. Voters in the district tend to be socially liberal and concerned about the environment, but economically conservative, so a democrat emphasizing the right issues should be able to do well there.
Aided by her incumbency and her moderate reputation, Dunn was able to repeatedly trounce token opposition in her reelection contests, beating the democrat 60-37 in 2002. The district itself, however, is a pure toss-up. In 2000 voters in Washington's eighth congressional district preferred Gore to Bush 49-47. Voters there also preferred Sen. Maria Cantwell in her close race with Slade Gorton.
Republicans (according to the Seattle PI) appear to be confident that they will retain the district. That confidence is likely misplaced because Democrats already have a solid candidate in the race. Before her announcement, Rep. Dunn had already attracted a fairly strong challenger in businessman Alex Alben (whose profile is similar to that of Cantwell) and seems like a good fit for the district. Moreover, 2004 will likely be a good year for democrats in the state. The dem presidential nominee will likely trounce Bush in WA, and top-of-ticket dems like Christine Gregoire (who is favored for both the nomination and the general in the gov race) and Sen. Patty Murray should do equally well against their Republican opponents.
Still, Republicans may find an attractive nominee for the seat that could keep it in their column. Even so, this house race will be a rare opportunity to narrow the Republican majority.