Suzan DelBene (D) is running for Congress in Washington's 8th District.

Suzan DelBene lost 45% to 55% against Republican Dave Reichert in Washington's 8th Congressional District.

Suzan DelBene faces a primary and a general election race.

Suzan DelBene is an intelligent, compassionate businesswoman with a commitment to philanthropy and aiding the underprivileged in her community. DelBene has spent the last 14 years advancing at Microsoft, most recently serving as Executive Vice President of Mobile Communications. Serving in that capacity made DelBene one of very few women holding a senior leadership position at Microsoft. DelBene’s compassion and leadership makes her an excellent candidate for national office. In March, DelBene was chosen to be part of the Democratic Party’s “Red to Blue Campaign.” This choice reflects the national opinion that DelBene is considered a likely candidate to overturn a Republican Incumbent. DelBene is facing a primary race on August 17th where she will compete against other democratic contestants Tom Cramer, Boleslaw Orlinski and Keith Arnold. Not only is she the best funded of the Democratic Candidates but both polls and political commentators predict DelBene to be the Democrat on the general election ballot.

Dave Reichert, the Republican incumbent for Washington’s 8th district, also faces a primary race on August 17th against Ernest Huber, Tim Dillon, Caleb Mardini and Robin Adair. However, like DelBene, Reichert is considered the most likely candidate to represent his party on the general election ballot. Reichert was first elected in the 2005 congressional race. During his time in office, Reichert has voted consistently against legislation that would benefit Women’s Rights, LGBT Rights and Health Care Reform

Background:
Suzan DelBene has spent her life promoting the power of education for women. She received her undergraduate degree from Reed College with significant aid from work-study programs, scholarships, and grants. DelBene went on to earn her MBA from the University of Washington. Due to her own hardships affording a quality education, after graduation she dedicated herself to aiding other young women. She became active in the YWCA’s program to provide transitional housing and job training for women and families. She also spent years working with organizations like Global Partnerships, a non-profit that allowed her to utilize her business skills by focusing on supporting microfinance programs to serve people living in poverty in Latin America.
After earning her MBA, DelBene went on to Microsoft and eventually became the Corporate Vice President of their mobile communications department. In this capacity, DelBene ran international sales, marketing, and product management. Suzan’s compassion, elite leadership positions and experience prove that she has the ability to inspire change and mobilize policy.

Position on Key Issues

• DelBene believes in Women’s Rights, Health Care Reform and LGBT Rights. She recognizes that even though women have made great strides in the work place they still do not receive the same pay as their male counterparts and that this issue needs to be addressed. In order to aid America’s workplaces in attaining a greater level of equality for men and women she would like to enact legislation that would help businesses adopt family-friendly policies such as family leave, flexible work hours, and job sharing. DelBene firmly believes that access to quality childcare and early childhood education is also critical for working families and to the long term development of children. She fully supports and defends a woman’s right to chose and believes that the government should fund family planning services as well as medically accurate and age-appropriate sex education. DelBene is also a supporter of Health Care Reform and believes that insurance companies should be required to cover contraception in their health plans. DelBene believes Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell must end, the Defense of Marriage Act should be repealed and government-sanctioned civil marriage, regardless of orientation, is constitutional and must be nationally accepted.

The Competition:
Dave Reichert is an anti Health Care Reform, anti Women’s Rights and anti LGBT Rights Republican. He has consistently voted against legislation that would benefit women. Reichert voted no on the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. He also voted yes on the anti-choice Stupack/ Pitts amendment to Health Care Reform, which was an attempt to derail the Health Care Reform Bill.

Prospects:
Dave Reichert was one of nine Republican congressmen placed on a “vulnerable to fail” list by the National Republican Congressional Committee. He also suffered some severe damage to his image when an audio tape of one of his meetings with local Republicans was leaked. In this tape, Reichert suggests that his seeming support on environmental issues was not genuine- he simply wanted the support of the environmental groups. Given these downfalls and low expectations, it seems that DelBene has a fair chance of beating Reichert in the general election. However, in this tough election year, she will not be able to do so with out the help and support of people who share her passion and beliefs.

Endorsements:
Feminist Majority PAC, Emily’s List, National Organization for Women, National Women’s Political Caucus, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, NARAL Pro-Choice America PAC, American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO, Women’s Action for New Directions