With a few days to go before the primary election, candidates for the Washington state Senate have raised more than $5 million in campaign funding, according to the Public Disclosure Commission.
There are 24 Senate seats up for re-election this year, but a few of those races are heating up as the primary election date draws near. Fundraising is often an indicator that the political parties see those races as most competitive.
Here are the three districts that have brought in the most money so far.
26th Legislative District
More than $800,000 has been donated to 26th District candidates on both sides of the aisle. The district covers parts of Kitsap and Pierce counties.
While three candidates are running in this district, only two have brought in any campaign funding: Incumbent Democrat Emily Randall from Bremerton, and current Republican state House Rep. Jesse Young from Gig Harbor. Republican David Crissman who put in a bid for the seat has not garnered any donations.
Randall, who was trailing last week in campaign funding, has now raked in $404,820, while Young, her challenger, has brought in $395,729. This makes Randall the top-earning Senate candidate in the state, with Young second.
42nd Legislative District
A total of $607,740 has been donated to candidates in the 42nd District, which covers Whatcom County.
Three candidates are gunning for the position and all three have brought in a significant amount of funding.
Incumbent Republican Sen. Simon Sefzik from Ferndale was appointed to the position after Sen. Doug Ericksen, a Republican, died from COVID-19 at the end of 2021. Currently Sefzik is out-raising his competitors by a large margin, having so far brought in $343,013.
His Democratic opponent, current House Rep. Sharon Shewmake from Bellingham, is still trailing by a wide margin with $160,533 in funding. Republican candidate Ben Elenbaas has raised $104,194 in his bid for the position.
45th Legislative District
This district, which covers parts of King County, has brought in a total of $477,154 in campaign funding so far.
Incumbent Democratic senator and Deputy Majority Leader Manka Dhingra from Redmond is leading by a large margin, having raised $328,261 for her campaign.
Her opponent, Republican Ryika Hooshangi, has so far brought in $148,893.
Other Districts
The 47th and the 21st districts have brought in a significant share of campaign dollars. Candidates in the 47th district have brought in $409,415 and in the 21st have brought in a total of $303,260.
On the lower end of campaign donations in districts where there is some competition, the 44th district has only brought in $40,753 in funding between incumbent Democratic Sen. John Lovick from Mill Creek and Republican candidate Jeb Brewer. Lovick’s campaign has only earned $16,010 so far to Brewer’s $24,743.
The primary election is Tuesday, Aug. 2. Ballots are due by 8 p.m.
