Two new challengers emerge in the 8th

Darcy Burner's impressive fundraising may have deterred State Rep. Rodney Tom from running, and Rep. Dave Reichert's incumbent status is keeping out the Republican challengers, but neither barrier is daunting enough to keep two new candidates from coming forward to join the race for Congress in the 8th District.

C. Mark GreeneRunning under the banner of the Party of Commons is C. Mark Greene, a veteran of the USMC and of three past Congressional campaigns, two in Alaska (2000, 20002) and one in Washington (2004, 9th District). On his website, Greene says he is "one of the leading advocates in Washington state for mandatory labeling of genetically engineered food." His biography says he works as a "legal assistant/playwright".

Then today the TNT reported that Orting Democrat James Vaughn has decided to put his hat in the ring, as well. Vaughn calls himself "The Fighting Democrat" on his website, which is greatly detailed and even has a flash intro. Vaughn is a military veteran who runs a staffing business that helps veterans find work.

James VaughnAlthough he is running as a Democrat, Vaughn is against a lot of left-leaning policies like farming regulations, he wants to streamline government operations, and is strongly against Washington's B&O tax and welfare abuse. But on the other hand he is for single-payer health care.

The will have their work cut out for them to survive the top-two primary.