These 5 state House campaigns have brought in more than $7 million this election
While today is the last day to vote in Washington, that hasn’t stopped last-minute donations from coming in for some House candidates.
As of this Election Day writing, the top five House races in the state have brought in over $7 million in campaign funds as well as outside spending.
A spokesperson for the House Republican Organizational Committee, Kevin Carns, told McClatchy that the 42nd Legislative District is “ground zero” for all three seats, including the state Senate position. The 42nd is the northernmost district in Western Washington, bordering Canada and containing most of Whatcom County.
Both House campaigns have so far made the cut for the most expensive races in the state this year, while the Senate campaign has brought in more than $3 million, making it the second most expensive Senate race this cycle.
Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, a Democrat from Seattle and chair of the House Democratic Campaign Committee, told McClatchy that the 42nd also is where Democrats were primarily focused this cycle. Democrats have spent most of their resources and have done the most doorbelling in the 42nd, he said.
Rep. Sharon Shewmake, D-Bellingham, is challenging Sen. Simon Sefzik, R-Ferndale, for the Senate position in the 42nd, leaving her House seat open for newcomers. Democrat Joe Timmons and Republican Dan Johnson are campaigning for her seat, where she has been a Representative for two terms.
Alicia Rule, Shewmake’s House Democratic seatmate in the 42nd, is being challenged by Republican Tawsha Dykstra Thompson. Rule assumed office in 2021.
Meanwhile, the 10th Legislative District, including Whidbey Island and Stanwood, also saw a lot of investments this cycle for both House seats.
Incumbent Reps Dave Paul, D-Oak Harbor, and Greg Gilday, R-Camano, are both facing challengers for their seats. Republican Karen Lesetmoe is trying to unseat Paul, who assumed office in 2019.
Democrat Clyde Shavers is challenging Gilday, who has held his seat since 2021. Shavers recently faced a lot of backlash for exaggerating his military service and his status as a lawyer; his father revealed the inaccuracies to a local newspaper.
Fitzgibbon told McClatchy that while House Democrats were disappointed that Shavers wasn’t more clear, they hope he has since learned his lesson.
Carns told McClatchy that Shaver’s lying was “heaven” for House Republicans and that he believes Shavers’ exaggerations will hurt him considerably in the general election.
Overall, Fitzgibbon said House Democrats are running on defense like they did in the primary and the focus is on protecting seats instead of picking up any new ones.
Here are the campaigns in the Washington House of Representatives that have raised the most money and brought in the most spending from outside groups.
Legislative District 10, position 2
Total: $1.76 million
Democratic Rep. Dave Paul, incumbent
Raised: $404,350
Outside spending for Paul’s campaign: $439,539
Outside spending against Paul’s campaign: $153,524
Republican Karen Lesetmoe
Raised: $289,409
Outside spending for Lesetmoe’s campaign: $355,014
Outside spending against Lesetmoe’s campaign: $119,941
Legislative District 10, position 1
Total: $1.53 million
Republican Rep. Greg Gilday, incumbent
Raised: $350,727
Outside spending for Gilday’s campaign: $121,714
Outside spending against Gilday’s campaign: $142,927
Democrat Clyde Shavers
Raised: $495,593
Outside spending for Shavers’ campaign: $302,804
Outside spending against Shavers’ campaign: $119,175
Legislative District 42, position 1
Total: $1.44 million
Democratic Rep. Alicia Rule, incumbent
Raised: $532,657
Outside spending for Rule’s campaign: $351,977
Outside spending against Rule’s campaign: $66,233
Republican Tawsha Dykstra Thompson
Raised: $374,735
Outside spending for Thompson’s campaign: $52,018
Outside spending against Thompson’s campaign: $63,561
Legislative District 26, position 1
Total: $1.15 million
Democrat Adison Richards
Raised: $372,439
Outside spending for Richards’ campaign: $27,043
Outside spending against Richards’ campaign: $193,854
Spencer Hutchins
Raised: $344,899
Outside spending for Hutchins’ campaign: $187,328
Outside spending against Hutchins’ campaign: $29,625
Legislative District 42, position 2
Total: $1.15 million
Democrat Joe Timmons
Raised: $439,405
Outside spending for Timmons’ campaign: $167,913
Outside spending against Timmons’ campaign: $51,715
Republican Dan Johnson
Raised: $357,423
Outside spending for Johnson’s campaign: $4,803
Outside spending against Johnson’s campaign: $127,934
This story was originally published November 8, 2022 at 2:39 PM.
