Rival Republican Rob McKenna’s campaign, which can't raise money until lawmakers leave town under the state's campaign financing freeze for state officials, has taken shots at the event. The fundraiser also earned Inslee a tut-tut from liberal Seattle political columnist Joel Connelly of Seattlepi.com.
In a post, Connelly quoted statements from an Inslee fundraising letter, which said in part: “Today, the system is too often rigged against the middle class: Big corporations write the laws, benefit from tax loopholes and then rack up large profits — all while working people continue to struggle … As governor, I won’t tolerate that … The people of Washington should not stand for a governor who caters to powerful special interests in Olympia. We need a governor who will stand up for the middle class.”
As Connelly noted, Democrats have had a hold on the Governor’s Office since 1985. They also control the statehouse. Admission is $100 for a guest and as high as $1,000 for “co-hosts,’’ and sponsors of the champagne brunch include former state party chairman Paul Berendt and congressional candidate Denny Heck.
Others listed as sponsors include Democratic backers Sam and Christine Garst, Thurston County Democratic chairman Stew Henderson, Thurston County commissioners Sandra Romero and Karen Valenzuela, port commissioner and former county commissioner George Barner, and numerous Olympia and Tumwater city council members.
Of course, that doesn’t sound like the oil and cigarette lobby, and a local physician is included.
But it’s the second recent Inslee fund raiser in Olympia, which is a bit like eating candy in front of other kids you don’t especially like. As attorney general, McKenna has been barred from raising funds since late November, because of the legislative freeze for all sitting lawmakers and statewide elected officials.
McKenna's campaign manager Randy Pepple has said repeatedly that Inslee, a congressman, should also observe the freeze – instead of living by “Washington, D.C., rules.’’ State campaign finance rules do not extend to congressional incumbents.
On the other hand, Pepple hasn’t called on his own candidate to stop taking advantage of the perks of his state incumbency – such as appearing in public service messages, announcing new lucrative legal settlements with fraudulent mortgage lenders or prescription drug companies – or making news in other ways by doing his job.
McKenna may get the last laugh. He has raised more money than Inslee, despite the Democrat’s transfer of contributions from his congressional donors. He has more cash on hand. And he leads in several polls.
UPDATED to correct reference to Randy Pepple and the McKenna campaign.
McKenna’s spokeswoman Janelle Guthrie said he stopped appearing in new public-service announcements after he announced his campaign in June. She said the law forbids that in an election year.
