Washington: Fundraising

The latest fundraising reports for state races were due this week, reflecting contributions and expenditures through the end of August.

Because of the "top two" primary every race in the state has been whittled down to two contestants, and after securing victory through voter outreach, staff salaries and paid consultants, the financial situations of the candidate have been, in some cases, drastically altered from the primary campaign.

In Spokane's 6th Legislative District, where Republicans are intent on recapturing Rep. Don Barlow's position 1 seat, which he won by a mere 260 votes in 2006 after narrowly losing to former Rep. John Serben in 2004, the heat is rising as the August 19 "top two" primary rapidly approaches.

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.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi's campaign announced today that Rossi, as of Friday, has surpassed the total amount of money he raised in his 2004 run for governor. Last time around Rossi brought in $6,254 million, and as of Sunday they have $6.28 million. Three and a half months remain in the race.