CQ: Burner sits on elite war chest

The Washington, D.C. based Congressional Quarterly came out with a ranking of the top ten congressional challengers in America based on the amount of cash they had on hand at the end of the second fundraising quarter.

Eighth Congressional District Democrat Darcy Burner sits near the top of their list, coming in third overall and second among Democrats with $1.2 million on hand. Her opponent, Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Auburn), had just over $900,000 in the bank at the last filing period.

The list of wealthy challengers was dominated by Democrats, who comprised 9 of the top 10 nationally. Read CQ's take on the Burner-Reichert race, which they say has "no clear favorite", below.

3. Darcy Burner, Democrat, Washington's 8th ($1.2 million). Burner, who was formerly employed by Microsoft, is taking on two-term Rep. Reichert ($916,000) in a suburban Seattle district in which she came within three percentage points of unseating the congressman in 2006. Burner's challenge is one reason why Reichert is among the most vulnerable Republican incumbents; so too the likelihood that his district will back Barack Obama over John McCain for president. CQ Politics Race Rating: No Clear Favorite.