WASHINGTON – Freshman Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Wash., has raised more than $900,000 so far this year – the most among Washington state House members and among the highest fundraising totals for any House incumbent in the country, new campaign finance reports show.
Reichert, who has been targeted by national Democrats and liberal activist groups, has brought in more than $937,000 since the last election, the reports show. That total places him 26th among all 435 House members for the first nine months of the year, according to the Federal Election Commission. Reichert is the only lawmaker from Washington or Oregon to crack the top 50.
In the state’s 2nd District, incumbent Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., easily outraised his likely Republican opponent, Everett businessman Doug Roulstone.
Larsen had raised $444,000 as of Sept. 30, with $484,000 cash on hand, his report shows. Larsen’s totals include money from previous campaigns rolled over into his current effort.
Roulstone, who has received fundraising help from House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., and former gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi, has raised about $156,000, with about $136,000 on hand.
Reichert, a former King County sheriff, had about $455,000 on hand as of Sept. 30, the reports show – 10 times as much as either of his two Democratic challengers.
Darcy Burner, a former Microsoft program manager who lives in the Carnation area, has raised $105,000, including a $10,000 loan to her own campaign, and has about $44,000 on hand.
Bellevue lawyer Randy Gordon has raised nearly $78,000 and has about $49,000 on hand.
Ed Purta, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, called Reichert’s early totals impressive.
“Look, whoever runs against Dave Reichert is going to have to spend day and night, seven days a week, for the next year raising money,” he said.
“Part of the strategy here is to scare off a potential challenger with a huge war chest,” Purta said. “For somebody who’s looking to run for Congress the prospect of having to spend seven days a week – including nights and weekends – raising money is not appealing.”
Bill Burton, a spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, acknowledged Reichert’s advantage, but said it was early in the campaign season. The 2006 elections are more than a year away.
Burton attacked Reichert’s record, saying in the short time he has held office Reichert has proved to be too conservative for his suburban 8th District, east of Seattle.
“One thing that Washington families know about Dave Reichert is he’s certainly not afraid to take in special-interest money, and we’re not surprised that he is among the top” fundraisers in Congress, Burton said Friday.
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