I am shocked.
The time has now come to pursue other options, other ways of serving," he said. "This is not an easy decision to be sure, but I believe it is the right decision at the right time." source
Baird voted against the health care bill in the house, and he quickly appeared on lists of Democrats to primary. Now it no longer looks like that will be necessary.
It will be an interesting next few days.
UPDATE with some more news:
The CD, with a Cook PVI of EVEN, is a very fertile open seat for GOPers to attack. GOPers were excited that state Rep. Jaime Herrera (R) entered the race immediately following Baird's announcement, and other GOPers (Washougal City Councilor Jon Russell and WA House GOP caucus ex-CoS David Castillo) had already entered a contest against the incumbent.
Dem sources, meanwhile, believe state Sen. Craig Pridemore (D) and state Rep. Brendan Williams (D) are potential candidates to replace Baird. Pridemore is from Vancouver, and Williams is from northern Thurston Co. source