Democrats uplifted by strong bid in 5th district

The last time a Democrat represented King County's 5th Legislative District, a little-known real-estate agent named Dino Rossi was running for state Senate there.

In 1996, the Republican Rossi unseated one of the few Democrats the rural and suburban district in eastern King County had elected in some time.

"Before that, I don't know how long it's been since we've seen a Democrat," said Hank Thomas, chairman of the 5th District Democrats.

Democrats hope that changes come Election Day. David Spring, a candidate for state House, Position 2, is running a surprisingly strong campaign against Republican Glenn Anderson, a four-term incumbent boasting deep pockets and wide name recognition.

Despite raising only a few thousand dollars, Spring won nearly 49 percent of the vote in the August primary, obliterating expectations and invigorating the district's once downtrodden Democratic activists.

"We haven't been heard in a long time," said Di Irons, 54, a Sammamish resident long active in local Democratic Party politics.

With only weeks to go until the Nov. 4 general election, Democrats in the district, which includes North Bend, Snoqualmie and Issaquah, are knocking on doors and rallying supporters.

The two other legislative races in the district appear to be more safely in the Republican camp. But district Democrats could make waves in King County as a whole if they succeed in their effort to unseat Anderson.

The county has long been strongly Democratic. Of the almost 20 state legislative districts that are at least partly in King County, only a handful are represented by Republicans in Olympia.

If Democrats pick up a seat in the 5th District, county Republicans could lose one of their most reliable strongholds. The 5th is the only district entirely within King County where all three legislative seats are held by Republicans.

Demographic shift

Many have attributed the ebbing of Republican support in the district to a shift in demographics. The population in eastern King County has grown in recent years, as development has pushed eastward and the more rural area attracts an influx of technology-company employees.

"A lot of companies are moving out of downtown Seattle and going to the Eastside," said Susan Sheary, chairwoman of the King County Democrats. "Mostly, their employees are younger people and a little bit more liberal."

Some new residents still work in Seattle but have moved to the Eastside in search of more affordable housing.

"We're still somewhat of a bedroom community for the more metropolitan areas of the western part of the state," said Thomas, the 5th District Democratic chairman. "They're out here, frankly, because they can buy a house out here that they can afford."

The shift in the district is borne out by the numbers.

When Thomas took the helm of the 5th District Democrats two years ago, he had fewer than 30 precinct committee officers — community members in charge of canvassing their neighborhoods and building support for candidates. That number has grown to nearly 70, and by the beginning of next year, Thomas expects to have more than 100.

But not everyone attributes the ebbing of Republican support to demographic changes at the local level. The Republican brand has dimmed considerably nationally, and some say that trend is simply being reflected in the 5th.

"George W. Bush has done one of the best jobs of recruiting Democrats of anyone I know," Thomas said.

Partisan aisle jumped

A Democratic victory in the 5th District wouldn't be the first time growing frustration with the Republican Party nationally has played out in King County politics.

Last year, Fred Jarrett, a Republican state House member in the Eastside's 41st District, jumped the partisan aisle, joining the Democratic Party in protest of what he viewed as the GOP's abandonment of traditional conservative values.

Jarrett is now running for state Senate against Republican Bob Baker for a seat that opened after Democratic incumbent Brian Weinstein decided not to run for re-election.

Though some were upset when he switched parties, Jarrett says the response from his district was overwhelmingly positive.

"Republicans run the same platform in Mississippi that they do in Washington state," Jarrett said. "While that might work in Yakima, it won't work in King County. So, I think you're going to see a continued erosion in support for the Republican Party."

That erosion is exactly what the Republican incumbent in the 5th District is struggling to stave off. Still, Anderson says the strong support for his opponent's campaign has not surprised him.

"There's a lot of economic pressure out there and [Spring's] message was a populist one," Anderson said. "I can understand this. He hit the note of people's economic frustration."

In his effort to hold on to his seat, Anderson has tried to drive home his campaign's three main themes: relieving traffic congestion, eliminating the state budget shortfall and improving public schools.

Spring has campaigned on eliminating corporate tax breaks and increasing funding for public schools. While his campaign has drawn more attention since his strong primary showing, he still faces a steep fundraising disadvantage. Anderson has raised more than $50,000 in campaign contributions, compared with Spring, who says he has raised only a few thousand.

Still, Spring, who was a political unknown before this run, is optimistic about his chances.

"At some point, we're going to elect a Democrat," he said, laughing. "I'm hoping this is the year."