Published: Sunday, October 2, 2011
Reardon’s cash lead has Hope frustrated by lukewarm GOP help
Many people are donating to the campaigns of Democratic Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon and Republican state Rep. Mike Hope.
A few important folks are not and the absence of their dollars may wind up a determining factor in the outcome of this hard-fought contest.
Two things stand out. First, no member of the Snohomish County Council has made a contribution in this race. Second, not many elected officeholders of either party are investing in a candidate.
With Reardon, neither point is surprising. Three of the council's Democrats -- Dave Somers, Dave Gossett and Brian Sullivan -- contemplated running against the incumbent so no way they will give him money toward another term.
Reardon doesn't make a point of raising money from state lawmakers since he already does pretty well among the influential and influence peddlers in both parties. Besides, these days he's not buddies with many Democratic legislators because he's been pretty critical of decisions of the Legislature.
Hope is unquestionably supported by Republican Snohomish County Councilman John Koster even if the venerable Arlington legislator hasn't sent him a check.
And he's received donations from a handful of Republican officeholders including King County Councilman Reagan Dunn.
But entering the weekend, only two of Hope's Republican brethren in the Legislature have contributed to his campaign and neither is from Snohomish County.
Why not more? The question's baffled Hope for weeks.
He's heard state Republican Party leaders and key GOP lawmakers describe this seat as one of the biggest political trophies available this year.
They know money is a campaign's most needed fuel and candidates with more in their tank at the end of the race stand a better chance of finishing first. Last year, Koster might have won a seat in Congress had his coffers not been bone dry in the final days.
Hope knows he needs a fill-up. He's got $28,000 to spend compared to Reardon's nearly $160,000 with five weeks left in the campaign.
While he welcomes fellow lawmakers' advice and moral support and appearances at his events, cash is what he requires to pay for mailers and commercials to sway voters.
Hope said he asked caucus leaders for help to no avail. Part of the reason is a contest for an open House seat in southwest Washington is a higher priority for them. And some individual members simply don't have any money to spare in this economy.
Reardon may be another reason for the dearth of these dollars.
Though vulnerable, Reardon is favored to win and a few GOP lawmakers probably figure it would be wasted money to try for an upset.
Another explanation is Reardon has made it hard on Republican lawmakers and party leaders by snaring donations from a few of their elite donors.
Developer George Rowley, who writes five-figure checks to the party, hosted a fundraiser for Reardon. And people like Bruce McCaw, a renowned venture capitalist, and companies like the Premera Blue Cross health insurance firm, have chosen the Democrat over the Republican in this race.
Reardon's list of donors is littered with names of those who could very well be sponsoring tables at major Republican Party events in the future. Given the GOP needs cash from this crowd in the 2012 cycle, crossing swords with them in a 2011 county race is probably not viewed as the most prudent course.
Hope is frustrated and convinced if he loses it will be due to a lack of resources.
He knows who isn't donating and, if things don't turn out right, it won't be easy for him to forget.
Political reporter Jerry Cornfield's blog, The Petri Dish, is at www.heraldnet.com. Contact him at 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
A few important folks are not and the absence of their dollars may wind up a determining factor in the outcome of this hard-fought contest.
Two things stand out. First, no member of the Snohomish County Council has made a contribution in this race. Second, not many elected officeholders of either party are investing in a candidate.
With Reardon, neither point is surprising. Three of the council's Democrats -- Dave Somers, Dave Gossett and Brian Sullivan -- contemplated running against the incumbent so no way they will give him money toward another term.
Reardon doesn't make a point of raising money from state lawmakers since he already does pretty well among the influential and influence peddlers in both parties. Besides, these days he's not buddies with many Democratic legislators because he's been pretty critical of decisions of the Legislature.
Hope is unquestionably supported by Republican Snohomish County Councilman John Koster even if the venerable Arlington legislator hasn't sent him a check.
And he's received donations from a handful of Republican officeholders including King County Councilman Reagan Dunn.
But entering the weekend, only two of Hope's Republican brethren in the Legislature have contributed to his campaign and neither is from Snohomish County.
Why not more? The question's baffled Hope for weeks.
He's heard state Republican Party leaders and key GOP lawmakers describe this seat as one of the biggest political trophies available this year.
They know money is a campaign's most needed fuel and candidates with more in their tank at the end of the race stand a better chance of finishing first. Last year, Koster might have won a seat in Congress had his coffers not been bone dry in the final days.
Hope knows he needs a fill-up. He's got $28,000 to spend compared to Reardon's nearly $160,000 with five weeks left in the campaign.
While he welcomes fellow lawmakers' advice and moral support and appearances at his events, cash is what he requires to pay for mailers and commercials to sway voters.
Hope said he asked caucus leaders for help to no avail. Part of the reason is a contest for an open House seat in southwest Washington is a higher priority for them. And some individual members simply don't have any money to spare in this economy.
Reardon may be another reason for the dearth of these dollars.
Though vulnerable, Reardon is favored to win and a few GOP lawmakers probably figure it would be wasted money to try for an upset.
Another explanation is Reardon has made it hard on Republican lawmakers and party leaders by snaring donations from a few of their elite donors.
Developer George Rowley, who writes five-figure checks to the party, hosted a fundraiser for Reardon. And people like Bruce McCaw, a renowned venture capitalist, and companies like the Premera Blue Cross health insurance firm, have chosen the Democrat over the Republican in this race.
Reardon's list of donors is littered with names of those who could very well be sponsoring tables at major Republican Party events in the future. Given the GOP needs cash from this crowd in the 2012 cycle, crossing swords with them in a 2011 county race is probably not viewed as the most prudent course.
Hope is frustrated and convinced if he loses it will be due to a lack of resources.
He knows who isn't donating and, if things don't turn out right, it won't be easy for him to forget.
Political reporter Jerry Cornfield's blog, The Petri Dish, is at www.heraldnet.com. Contact him at 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
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