There’s much at stake in the contest between appointed Democratic state Rep. John Lovick and Republican Janice Huxford.
And as a result, nearly $300,000 has poured into their campaigns thus far, according to the latest campaign finance filings.
Lovick and Huxford are competing in the Nov. 8 election for a two-year term representing the 44th Legislative District that takes in Mill Creek, Lake Stevens, Snohomish and part of Marysville. It’s the seat Democrat Hans Dunshee held until his appointment earlier this year to the Snohomish County Council.
The candidates’ biggest financial support is coming from their respective political parties because control of the state House of Representatives could hinge on the outcome of the election.
Democrats now hold 50 of the 98 seats in the House. Lose one, and they will share power with Republicans; lose two seats and the GOP will be in charge for the first time since 1998.
Lovick, of Mill Creek, the ex-Snohomish County executive and a former county sheriff, had raised $154,619 as of Wednesday, according to the Public Disclosure Commission website.
The House Democratic Campaign Committee has given him $78,479 in cash and in-kind contributions, including a $40,000 check Aug. 29.
The Harry Truman Fund, another Democratic-controlled committee, has donated $2,000 to Lovick.
Huxford, owner of a Lake Stevens roofing company who is making her first bid for political office, reported raising $143,194 as of Wednesday, according to a filing with the commission.
The House Republican Organizational Committee has given her $30,442 in cash and in-kind contributions so far, including a $20,000 donation Sept. 8.
Lovick won the primary with 50.9 percent of the vote, followed by Huxford with 46.2 percent, and Everett attorney Wilberforce Agyekum with 3 percent.
It marked Lovick’s first political test since losing the county executive’s race in November to a fellow Democrat, Dave Somers. Lovick was appointed in June to fill the vacancy created by Dunshee’s move to the County Council.
The appointment ends once the general election results are certified.
Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com Twitter: @dospueblos.
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