Developers are pouring thousands of dollars into the campaigns of three Snohomish County councilmen seeking re-election this fall.
Individuals and the companies they run are fueling the fundraising success of Republicans John Koster and Jeff Sax and Democrat Dave Gossett, giving the three a significant financial edge over their opponents at this stage of the campaign.
Barclay’s North of Everett and the McNaughton Group of Edmonds, builders of homes and shopping centers in the county, have contributed the state-allowed maximum of $1,350 to each of the three councilmen.
So too have the Master Builders Association, the political voice of the construction industry, and David Barnett, whose firm is seeking to build at Lake Roesiger, southeast of Lake Stevens.
Everett developer Hank Robinett has poured $16,430 into the three races.
Donating as an individual donor and through his companies, he’s given $9,275 to Sax, $6,330 to Koster and $825 to Gossett.
“The development community has prospered due to the effect of a lot of the actions of the council,” said Sax, who represents the Fifth District.
Though Koster and Sax are unopposed in the Sept. 20 primary election, they have proven the most prodigious fundraisers.
Koster’s total of $186,397 collected through the end of July was the most of any candidate in the three council races, according to reports filed with the state Public Disclosure Commission.
It is 10 times the combined amount of his potential opponents, Democratic candidates Marian Harrison ($12,861) and Suzanne Smith ($5,886). Harrison and Smith square off in the Sept. 20 primary with the winner taking on Koster for the First District seat on Nov. 8.
Sax, who, like Koster, faces no primary challenger, garnered $140,467 plus the proceeds from a July 30 fundraising event that will be reported this week.
Two Democrats, Dave Somers and Steve Hobbs, are dueling in the primary for the chance to take on Sax. Somers, the former county councilman who lost to Sax in 2001, had raised $48,059 through last week; Hobbs’ reported collecting $20,745.
Gossett, a heavy favorite to retain his Fourth District seat, had received $53,424 in contributions through the end of last month. His opponent, Eva Davies, had collected $1,885.
It is no surprise that the forces of development are making their presence felt. This year, the five-member County Council is updating the comprehensive plan that spells out how and where growth will take place for the foreseeable future.
Hobbs also received $500 from Hank Robinett. “This is what they do,” he said.
Gossett is also ringing up money from many of the same sources as his council peers. Five of his top 21 contributors are development interests.
“Nobody’s given me any comments on it so far,” Gossett said. “I’m not selling my vote in some way. Sometimes I vote against them and sometimes I support them. When I vote against them I have a good reason.”
Environmentalists and their organizations are putting their support behind Somers, a biologist with the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. He also is receiving donations from supporters of his previous campaigns.
Somers and Harrison, who are the endorsed candidates of the Snohomish County Democratic Party, also have received money from various unions. Few of these groups have given the maximum amount, as they await the outcome of the September primary.
Another force, the Tulalip Tribes, have contributed $1,350 each to Somers and Harrison.
Scott North contributed to this report.
Reporter Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@ heraldnet.com
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