Election Night Burner Claims a Mandate for Change in the 8th District
posted by on August 19 at 21:35 PM
Speaking to a mass of cheering (and noticeably young) supporters here at the Mustard Seed in Newport Hills, eastside Democrat Darcy Burner said that the primary vote count shows a demand for change in the 8th District. “More than 50-percent of the voters are voting for change,” Burner told the SECB after addressing the crowd.
As the SECB stood scratching its head trying to figure out how Burner’s current 44-percent of the vote equals “more than 50-percent,” a supporter filled us in on the new math: Burner and four no-chance challengers collectively have just under 53-percent of the vote, while Reichert has 47-percent. If you’re talking about individual totals, Reichert is in the lead. No one else has more than his 47-percent. But if you group all the other candidates together under a “change” mantle, then yes, a majority of the 8th District appears to be voting for change.
But, to be clear, in the head-to-head Burner is trailing Reichert, 44-percent to 47-percent. Still, Burner told us, the result “puts us in a tremendously strong position going into November.”
And, new math aside, it’s generally not a good sign for a two-term incumbent like Reichert to be getting less than 50-percent in his district.
Eli - this isn't a pure head to head when there are 4 other candidates in the field eating up votes. How hard is that to understand?
Darcy's new math also works against her, since more than 50% did not vote for her. Kind of bad form to predicate your progess on an arguement that works against you. Also going by the numbers what does it mean that the majority of voters did not vote?
Zander - there is merit in the case against an incumbent if he doesn't get 50%. Look at all the other congressional races where the incumbents are all winning by huge margins.
But none of this is a surprise.
Turnout is likely to be around 41%, which would be 4% less than in 2004. That's hardly a ringing endorsement of Sam Reed's "top two" primary experiment.
Daniel you've explained it slightly better.
Why not just say that any incumbent who lacks the confidence of 50% of the voters after two terms needs to call it quits. Especially, in a primary vote.
This is just pure head.
No, that would be the Terry "WASL Or Die" Bergeson campaign, Mr. Poe.
Will, one day...
If you add Darcy to the other candidate who picked a Democratic party preference, you get almost 49% picking a Dem vs. Reichert's 47.5% He could certainly say he won the primary, but he's privately shitting his pants.
I wish Amy Kate was here to get rid of those hideous dashes in "50-percent" and the like.
@7 - don't worry, Mr. Poe, I'll help you study for the WASL.
Clearly, an overwhelming majority of 8th District (primary) voters are in favor of pluralities.
Darcy Burner is hot.
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