State democratic congressional candidate Darcy Burner likes Obama and Clinton

Washington state's Democratic U.S. senators and representatives have all endorsed either Hillary Rodham Clinton or Barack Obama for president. Months ago, Democratic voters in Washington turned out to caucus for one or the other.

But Democratic congressional candidate Darcy Burner hasn't picked sides.

"She has strong positive and supportive feelings about both the candidates," said her campaign spokesman, Sandeep Kaushik.

Burner's husband is a Clinton delegate. Her 5-year-old son, Henry, is an enthusiastic Obama supporter, Kaushik said. But Burner, who has donated money to both candidates, doesn't see any reason to choose.

"She's not a superdelegate," Kaushik said. "She's not involved in this process, so it's different from being a sitting member of Congress."

All Democratic members of Congress are superdelegates to the party's national convention, where the nominee officially will be selected.

Burner is making her second attempt to oust Congressman Dave Reichert from the 8th Congressional District, which runs from Bellevue to northern Pierce County.

Reichert was an early supporter of former Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani. He later endorsed presumptive Republican nominee John McCain.

"When you're running for a leadership position, you have to take a stand," said Mike Shields, a spokesman for Reichert's campaign. "You have to let voters know where you stand on important issues of the day. Who would be a better leader for our country? Whose positions does she agree with?"

Kelly Steele, a spokesman for the state Democratic Party, said other challengers have not endorsed a candidate, either, including Mark Mays, a psychologist running against Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Spokane, in the 5th District.

George Fearing, a Democrat challenging Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Pasco, in the 4th District, said he hasn't announced whom he is supporting because he doesn't think political leaders should try to influence grass-roots political choices. He opposes the superdelegate system for the same reason, he said.

Kaushik said a lot of voters likely agree with Burner that either Clinton or Obama would make a good Democratic nominee. He said voters aren't clamoring for Burner to take sides.

"I don't think it's a burning or central issue for voters in the 8th District," he said.

Emily Heffter: 206-464-8246 or eheffter@seattletimes.com