Darcy Burner (D-Carnation) has made a habit of using U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert's big name fundraising events as a rally cry in her bid to unseat Reichert in the 8th District.

Last August, Burner made a youtube video criticizing Reichert's GOP ties and led to the creation of a very successful online ActBlue account to call attention to a fundraising visit President Bush made to the 8th District on Reichert's behalf, and then did the same thing this past February when first lady Laura Bush came to town. The Democrat has used these occasions to bring in more than $200,000 to her campaign.

That trend continues today.

When it was announced to Reichert donors that former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) will be in Bellevue for a $200-a-plate Father's Day reception this June, Burner's campaign immediately gave their opinion on Gingrich's politics, and what they believe that says about Reichert.

Burner spokesman Sandeep Kaushik gave the following statement about Gingrich's visit:

Congressman Dave Reichert's close ties to Newt Gingrich, who is more responsible than any other single politician for injecting a harsh partisan tone into our national politics, are no surprise. Rep. Reichert likes to blow smoke about how he is saddened by the partisan tone in Washington, D.C., but the truth is he is tied at the wallet to some of the most partisan and extreme Republican leaders, whose support he actively seeks and enthusiastically welcomes. And they reciprocate, because they know he is one of their own, and because when it comes to supporting the misguided Bush agenda on the Iraq war and the economy, he is a reliable yes man.

Just follow the money -- over the last three plus years Congressman Reichert has raked in more than $1 million in campaign contributions due to the direct fundraising help of George Bush, Dick Cheney, Tom DeLay, and Newt Gingrich.

The voters of the 8th district are looking for positive change that leads to real solutions, while Congressman Reichert offers more of the same: ineffective representation in Congress and lockstep support of failed Bush Republican policies that have put this country far off onto the wrong track.