Edmonds is a pricey place for political campaigns

It’s no surprise to read stories about the high cost of campaigning for political office.

Would it surprise you to learn campaigns cost almost as much per capita in Edmonds as Seattle?

Herald Reporter Chris Fyall writes about In today’s print edition.

Home to just 40,900 people, the city (Edmonds) is not among the state’s 20 most populated cities.

Edmonds’ council elections, however, regularly rank among Washington’s most expensive.

So far this year, candidates have raised more than $64,500 — on pace for eighth — and the primary is still weeks away.

Fyall reports the eight candidates competing in races for three seats on the Edmonds City Council have raised $1.58 for every person resident, so far. That puts the city fourth on a per capita basis behind Seattle, Olympia and Shoreline.

And no surprise here – the money seems to matter.

Since 2001, Edmonds’ best funded candidates have beaten their opponents in nine of 11 contested races, according to the story.