2008 should be even better for Democrats running in Dem leaning districts. The electorate is almost always more Democratic in Presidential years and Burner should be helped by the boost in Democratic turnout.
This is a newly Democratic district, though. People still like the idea of the split ticket in the KingCo 'burbs. With Gregoire on the ticket, someone's going to be somewhat affected. It may very well be Burner (although likely Gregoire too).
And this district does contain an underestimated, fast-growing chunk of Pierce County that leans pretty Republican. The part of the 8th in King County is pretty solidified Dem by this point. That's only partly where the race is won, though.
Interestingly, Reichert's predecessor also died today.
