Democrat Darcy Burner announced her third campaign for Congress on Wednesday, joining a crowd of candidates jostling for the 1st Congressional District seat being vacated by Jay Inslee's run for governor.

Burner, a former Microsoft manager, ran in 2006 and 2008 to represent the Eastside's 8th Congressional District, losing both times to Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Auburn.

For the last couple of years, Burner has worked in Washington, D.C., as president and executive director of Progressive Congress.org and the Progressive Congress Action Fund, two nonprofit liberal-activist groups. She moved back to the state earlier this year to her Redmond home, which was rebuilt after a house fire three years ago.

Despite her past losses, Burner said she relishes a 2012 run in an area more aligned with her political beliefs.

"It's a different year and it's a different district. Frankly, I think it's going to be a lot of fun to be running in a Democratic district," she said, saying she'd proven herself as "a full-throated populist" even when running in the more conservative 8th District, which has never elected a Democrat to Congress.

In an announcement video on her website, Burner echoed the ongoing Occupy Wall Street protests, vowing to pursue tax increases on the wealthy.

Burner lives in the 8th District but said she expects her Redmond address will be in the 1st District by 2012. A bipartisan panel is redrawing the state's congressional lines as part of the once-a-decade redistricting process. The new maps are due by the end of the year. In any case, living in a district is not legally required for congressional candidates.

Burner joins an already crowded Democratic field vying for Inslee's seat. Announced candidates include state legislators Marko Liias, Roger Goodman and Steve Hobbs, former legislator Laura Ruderman, attorney Andrew Hughes and tech entrepreneur Darshan Rauniyar.

State Democratic Party Chairman Dwight Pelz was diplomatic about the group, declining to pick a favorite. Pelz said he expects the 1st District to remain Democratic and praised "several very strong Democrats who have announced for the position" and noted that others may join in.

One possibility is Suzan DelBene, director of the state Department of Revenue.

DelBene, a former Microsoft executive who ran against Reichert in 2010, confirmed Wednesday she is "strongly considering" a run "because we need leaders in Washington who know how to create jobs."

In the emailed statement, DelBene added: "I am currently working with Governor Gregoire on the budget so that we can continue to protect the most vulnerable. I will continue working in this important role until the congressional maps are finalized."

On the Republican side, James Watkins, a business consultant who lost to Inslee in 2010, is running again.

State Republican Party Chairman Kirby Wilbur said the poor economy should give a boost to the GOP. "If there is a year we can take the district it is probably 2012," he said, adding "if they [Democrats] get nasty and start cutting each other up it could be even better for us."

One of Burner's lesser-known Democratic rivals, Hughes, did take a swipe at her Wednesday.

In a news release, Hughes mocked Burner's previous losses "and a move to DC to join the political elite cocktail circuit." He added: "Darcy's commitment is not to the voters of this area, but rather to her own apparent insatiable career aspirations."

Hughes, 28, is a political newcomer whose previous jobs have included legal clerkships and an internship with a state Senate committee. Hughes has donated more than $57,000 to his own campaign, out of the nearly $142,000 he's raised, according Federal Election Commission filings.

The 1st District now includes a slice of northwest Seattle, plus the suburbs north and east of the city, including Shoreline, Edmonds and Lynnwood, plus Bainbridge Island and part of the Kitsap Peninsula.

Draft redistricting proposals issued last month indicate the district in 2012 may lose its Bainbridge and Kitsap elements while being centered on suburbs on northeast King and south or east Snohomish County.

Jim Brunner: 206-515-5628 or jbrunner@seattletimes.com