Rep. Brian Baird decides he won't seek re-election

U.S. Rep. Brian Baird said Wednesday he won't seek re-election next year, ending a six-term congressional career sometimes noted for independent — some say inexplicable — streaks.

The Vancouver Democrat's surprise decision had state and national Republicans salivating at the possibility of retaking a swing district they'd lost in 1998. Though Baird's 3rd District voted for President Obama over Sen. John McCain, 52 percent to 46 percent, it also favored President George W. Bush twice.

Baird issued a statement Wednesday afternoon saying he intends to relinquish his seat and to "pursue other ways of serving."

In an interview, the congressman offered no explicit reason for his planned retirement. But Baird, who is married to an economist and has 4-year-old twin sons, said the grind of lawmaking leaves little time for his family.

"The times with my children are very precious to me," said Baird, 53. "You don't get your weekends free in this town."

He added, "I'm not complaining about it. If you want to do this job right, that's the price you have to pay."

Before entering Congress, Baird worked as a clinical psychologist. He said that for now, he does not intend to return to practice.

Despite an overall liberal record, he sometimes stirred controversy with his nonconformist tendencies.

In November, he was the only Washington Democrat to vote no on the landmark House health-care-overhaul bill, which was approved 220 to 215. Among the 39 Democrats who opposed the bill, Baird was one of only 15 who were not among the fiscal conservatives known as "Blue Dogs" and one of only eight representing districts won by Obama.

Baird said at the time that the bill lacked reliable estimates about how it would affect premiums paid by people who already have coverage. He also objected to the limits on the number of amendments that could be attached to the bill.

He also took heat for arguing against withdrawing troops from Iraq, despite his initial opposition to the war and subsequent troop surges.

After Baird returned from a trip to Iraq in 2007, he said the United States should stay in that country for as long as needed to ensure stability.

Baird defended his record, saying he's proud of having "taken principled stances, even in the face of political challenges."

He also rejected suggestions that he was dropping out of Congress to avoid a tough re-election fight. He trounced his last Republican challenger, Michael Delavar, 64 percent to 36 percent.

"I'm quite confident that I would have won re-election," Baird said.

Dwight Pelz, head of the Washington State Democratic Party, acknowledged that despite Baird's lopsided victory, the 3rd District can swing both ways.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi, for instance, won the district in 2008 despite a 6-point loss to Chris Gregoire statewide.

As of September, three Republican challengers had filed to run against Baird, and more are expected to join the race.

Pelz said he's counting on a "spirited" primary contest for Baird's vacant seat, but added, "I expect Democrats to hold the district."

Pelz's Republican counterpart, however, was exultant at what he considers a real chance to retake it.

Luke Esser, head of the state Republican Party, predicted a backlash next year from voters upset with government spending, bailouts and other expansion of federal powers.

The year 2010 "is going to be a terrible year to be a Democrat," Esser said. Baird "got out while the going was good."

Seattle Times news researchers Gene Balk and David Turim contributed to this report.

Kyung Song: 206-464-2423 or ksong@seattletimes.com