One month in Congress will pay $15,000

Whoever wins this year’s special election to replace former U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee can count on a nice salary and decent benefits for a month’s work in arguably the world’s most powerful political institution.

This temporary job pays roughly $15,000 and comes with a medical plan, an assigned parking place, a bus pass and all the privileges bestowed upon members of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Voters living in the existing 1st District — which include south Snohomish County, parts of King County and all of Kitsap County — will pick a person to serve the final month of Inslee’s term.

Though the eventual officeholder won’t qualify for a pension, they can expect in their short tenure to make decisions on the nation’s economy and security for years to come as Congress will act on critical tax bills and defense spending.

Yet the allure of perks and power aren’t attracting any takers. So far no Democrat or Republican has said publicly he or she will seek the 1st Congressional District seat Inslee, a Democrat, vacated to campaign for governor. His chief foe is Attorney General Rob McKenna, a Republican.

Candidates can file for the federal seat starting May 14 and officials of the state Democratic and Republican parties are confident they’ll be represented well.

“We expect to find a candidate that Democrats can rally around,” said Benton Strong, communications director for the state party.

State Republican Party Chairman Kirby Wilbur sounded equally sure a solid GOP candidate will step forward when the time comes.

“Absolutely,” he said. “There will be a capable, competent and qualified candidate who will step forward.”

The hesitance of potential candidates stems from the entanglement of this special election with the regularly scheduled election in the district’s new boundaries drawn up through redistricting.

Voters residing in its newly configured district will elect a representative for a full two-year term.

The redrawn district covers an area from the Canadian border south to King County communities of Kirkland and Redmond. It passes through southern and eastern parts of Snohomish County. About 40 percent of the new district is also in the old one.

Right now, seven people are vying for the two-year term and each of them is also weighing the value of running in the special election.

Another reason no one’s jumping at the opportunity to be a temporary member of Congress is it requires a sizable investment of time and money for a very limited gig.

Candidates must fork out $1,740 for the filing fee. Then it’s off to campaign for the Aug. 7 primary. The top two finishers face off Nov. 6.

Results of the November election will be certified by the state Dec. 6 and the winner could be sworn into office within 24 hours. Their term will end Jan. 3, 2013 when the new Congress convenes.

The winner will earn about $15,000, about one-twelfth of the annual salary of a House member, and be able to sign up for health insurance coverage offered federal workers.

He or she will be allotted a sum of money, known as the Members Representational Allowance, to operate their office and serve constituents.

Based on the 2011 disbursement for Inslee’s office, the sum could be in the neighborhood of $100,000.

How those dollars can be spent is detailed in a members’ handbook. Options range from hiring staff to paying for business cards, a coffeemaker or even decorations of nominal value to spiff up the office.

New furniture, however, is not on the list of allowed expenses. Chairs and desks will be awaiting them.

If there is enough money available, they could send out “franked” mail like a newsletter to thousands of constituents.

When the time goes to leave office, their four weeks won’t get them a pension, but there is something they will depart with of lasting value.

“You get the title of congressman for the rest of your life,” Wilbur said.

Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com.

More on job’s perks

Handbook for members of Congress: tinyurl.com/CongressHandbook

Link to rules on franking: tinyurl.com/FrankingRules

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

The Washington State University Snohomish County Extension building at McCollum Park is located in an area Snohomish County is considering for the location of the Farm and Food Center on Thursday, March 28, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Year-round indoor farmers market inches closer to reality near Mill Creek

The Snohomish County Farm and Food Center received $5 million in federal funding. The county hopes to begin building in 2026.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.