Rick Larsen in the 2nd Congressional District

Four-term Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen is a good choice to stay with in District 2, which covers Washington's Northwest corner to the Canadian border.

Larsen is an able congressman, but he is overdue for a serious test at the polls. He is not likely to get one this primary or in the general election.

The 2nd Congressional District includes parts of King and Snohomish counties and all of Skagit, San Juan, Island and Whatcom counties. Larsen has strolled through the primary holding his opponents at bay, refusing to engage them. That pattern must not repeat itself in the general election.

The incumbent is far ahead of one Republican and two Democratic opponents in fundraising, attracting more than $1 million in contributions. His moderate politics and steady work on topics important to his district — local economic health, military installations, agriculture, support for law enforcement and foreign-policy connections — matter back home.

Larsen and Democratic Sen. Patty Murray enjoyed a major triumph with creation of the 106,000 acre-Wild Sky Wilderness. Over many years, they patiently built a bipartisan coalition that made Wild Sky a reality this spring. It is the first, new federally protected wilderness area in Washington since 1984.

Larsen's steadiness has held off political challengers from both parties. Democrat Glen Johnson is a farmer who has twice run unsuccessfully for office. He is campaigning as the peace candidate. Democrat Doug Schaffer has a management-consulting business. Neither one has developed the financial backing or organization to topple Larsen. Most significantly, they do not articulate a strong reason to replace Larsen.

The surprise is former Snohomish County sheriff Rick Bart, whose Republican campaign has shown little traction. Fundraising within the party has been almost nil. Bart was a respected and popular three-term sheriff but his leadership in that office has not translated into support for his run for Congress or an earlier bid for county executive.

A spirited campaign in the fall would be welcomed, but Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Lake Stevens, is endorsed in the primary and in November.