Democrats reserve TV time for Wash., Idaho races

Moving to capitalize on a fundraising advantage, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has reserved nearly $1.3 million in television time to help Democratic challengers in competitive House races in Washington state and Idaho.

Documents obtained by The Associated Press show the committee has reserved $949,000 in the Seattle market to help Darcy Burner, and $349,00 in Boise to help Walt Minnick. Burner is running in a rematch of a close 2006 race against GOP Rep. Dave Reichert in Seattle's eastern suburbs, while Minnick is battling Rep. Bill Sali, a first-term Republican in Idaho's 1st District.

The Democratic campaign group reserved $1.2 million worth of TV time in the Portland, Ore., market last month to support Kurt Schrader, who is facing Republican Mike Erickson for a Salem-based seat held by retiring Rep. Darlene Hooley, D-Ore.