Burner leading Rep. Reichert in fundraising

OLYMPIA — Rep. Dave Reichert’s campaign says the Republican actually brought in less money than Democratic challenger Darcy Burner in the latest congressional fundraising period.

Reichert aide Mike Shields told The Associated Press on Monday that some $47,000 in refunds listed on Reichert’s federal campaign filing would be repaid, after mistakes splitting up money from an August fundraiser headlined by President Bush.

On Wednesday, however, Shields said he had “screwed up” his explanation of the numbers.

Shields said Reichert actually raised about $295,000 in the quarter. Burner, meanwhile, raised about $305,000 in the quarter. Reichert narrowly defeated Burner last year to win a second term.

Shields said he misunderstood what the campaign fundraiser and treasurer told him about the numbers, which led to him giving the wrong information to reporters.

“I’ll take responsibility for it,” he said. “It’s my fault.”

Burner spokesman Sandeep Kaushik said he wants a more detailed explanation of how the mistake happened.

“Certainly, the appearance is that there was an effort made to the press and public to create a false impression of Congressman Reichert’s fundraising,” he said. “There’s a whole series of questions.”

Kaushik said the campaign would look at the filings and decide whether it’s appropriate to file a complaint with the Federal Election Commission.

“Even the numbers they were claiming were anemic,” he said. “For them to have to come out and report having raised less money than Darcy Burner did, even with the hundreds of thousands of dollars that came into their campaign coffers, would have created a devastating, but accurate impression of how poorly they’re doing.”

Shields said there was no attempt to mislead anyone. He said it was a simple case of him trying to get information to the news media before he fully understood the numbers.

He said that even with the lower numbers, the campaign is still strong.

“We still feel very good about raising over $700,000 this year,” he said. “We’re not focused on what anyone else is doing. What we’re focused on is how much we need to raise to be successful next fall.”

Overall, Reichert has already cashed about $200,000 from the Bush visit to Bellevue, with more expected to roll in as officials continue splitting up the money, Shields said, though he didn’t know how much.

Burner, meanwhile, collected her own windfall from the president’s appearance: an Internet-fueled fundraiser that brought about $123,000 in just a few days.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.