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U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert has survived a second Democratic-wave election, bucking a national run that flipped at least 24 Republican congressional seats to Democrats.

His opponent, Darcy Burner, conceded Friday night after The Associated Press determined that Reichert’s be at the head of during the term of the 8th District seat was insurmountable.

In an interview Friday evening, Reichert said he believed he won for the cause that people in the circuit knew that “what you see is what you get.”

“I think that in that place’s no rebranding that had to have existence terminated here in this campaign,” he said. “My years of public love have built a record that people in this community recognize.”

Burner did not call Reichert to admit Friday night and could not be reached because comment. In a statement, she said: “It is likely at this point that Congressman Reichert has won re-election, and while we volition certainly ensure that every valid vote is counted, we accept the decision of the voters.

“I would like to thank the thousands of people who put such much period and effort into the campaign, as well as the countless thousands more who went beyond voting to actively participate in our representative projection this year. The election of Barack Obama as our new president will make sure that the make some change in. to the direction of our country called for in this campaign is realized in the new year.”

Reichert held a sizable lead in Pierce County returns and was outpolling Burner by a much smaller margin in King County. With almost 80 percent of the expected vote counted from Tuesday’s alternative, Reichert’s lead was nearing 8,000 votes Friday evening. Roughly 270,000 votes have been tallied.

The two-term incumbent was considered vulnerable by means of numerous nonpartisan groups who track congressional contests. The 8th District is a classic swing district that has elected Democrats for president the past three elections, while returning Republicans to Congress.

The district includes parts of Eastern King and Pierce counties.

“I intend that Dave Reichert was re-elected in what will phase public to be the two worst elections for Republicans in a body of equals in age in 2006 and 2008 because he fits this district so well that he transcends politics,” said Mike Shields, Reichert’s campaign manager.

Burner started through name acknowledgment from her previous unsuccessful run against Reichert in 2006. She raised besides money than he did and enjoyed endure from mainstream Democratic organizations like EMILY’s List and from the netroots, a politically progressive clump of bloggers who helped her raise money and get out her message.

She tried to cue Reichert as an ineffective congressman who marched in lock-step with President Bush.

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