SEATTLE — Everybody knows the U.S. presidential contest is 2024's biggest political race, but it can be harder to gauge which local matchups matter most.
One way to figure that out is to follow the money — not only the cash that candidates collect but also the moola that interest groups spend independently on things like TV commercials, digital ads and mailers.
Outside dollars are important because political action committees don't have to deal with the contribution limits that apply to candidates. PAC donors can give as much money as they want to sway elections and influence how elected officials address issues like taxes, schools and climate change.
Ten federal and state races attracted at least $200,000 in noncandidate spending in Washington's Aug. 6 primary election, according to state campaign finance records and the nonpartisan research group OpenSecrets.
Many of those races will keep attracting money in the Nov. 5 general election, as Republicans challenge for statewide positions, Democrats seek to expand their legislative majorities and the fate of Congress hangs in the balance.
6th Congressional District
Independent spending surpassed $2.4 million in this district that includes the Olympic and Kitsap peninsulas and most of Tacoma, and almost all of that money went to support Emily Randall, a Democrat now in the state Senate. Randall finished first in the primary and will vie with Republican Drew MacEwen in November to fill a seat vacated by Democratic Rep. Derek Kilmer.
Much of the pro-Randall spending came from Protect Progress, a pro-cryptocurrency PAC, and Equality PAC, which advocates for LGBTQ+ rights.
3rd Congressional District
More than $1.4 million in outside money gushed into this Southwest Washington battleground district, with three primary candidates drawing support. Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and right-wing challenger Joe Kent advanced, leaving Republican Leslie Lewallen in the dust.
The biggest spender was Protect Freedom, a conservative PAC that backed Kent. Gluesenkamp Perez got significant support from Together for Progress, a PAC largely funded by the progressive organization Fuse Washington.
Washington lands commissioner
PACs dumped more than $1.2 million into this crowded primary, which saw Republican Jaime Herrera Beutler advance. Democrat Dave Upthegrove could join her in November; he's currently edging out Republican Sue Kuehl Pederson, with some votes left to count. Herrera Beutler lost her 3rd Congressional District seat to Gluesenkamp Perez in 2022; Upthegrove is a Metropolitan King County Council member.
The biggest recipient of outside money was Democrat Kevin Van De Wege, a state senator who garnered less than 8% of the primary vote despite more than $730,000 in support from a firefighters PAC. A PAC affiliated with the Washington Conservation Voters put more than $360,000 behind Upthegrove.
Washington governor
Independent spenders mostly sat out the gubernatorial primary. The exception was the Coalition for Pragmatic Leadership, a pro-business PAC that shelled out $840,000-plus to support centrist Democrat Mark Mullet.
Mullet finished third to Bob Ferguson, the state's Democratic attorney general, and Republican Dave Reichert, a former sheriff and congressman. A lot more outside money could flow into their head-to-head matchup.
4th Congressional District
More than $820,000 raised the temperature in Central Washington, where Republican Rep. Dan Newhouse advanced behind right-winger Jerrod Sessler.
The biggest player was a PAC created solely to help Republican challenger Tiffany Smiley. Newhouse got support from ClearPath Action, a GOP energy-issues PAC, and Defending Main Street, a mainstream Republican group.
Washington Senate, 10th Legislative District
Outside spenders plowed almost $475,000 into a swing district that includes Island County and parts of Snohomish and Skagit counties. Republican Sen. Ron Muzzall will defend his seat in November against Democrat Janet St. Clair.
The big players were WA Wins, a state GOP PAC bankrolled by corporate interests, and New Direction, a state Democratic Party PAC whose major funders include labor unions. Expect those groups to keep spending.
Washington Senate, 14th Legislative District
A similar story is playing out in the Yakima Valley, where a voting-rights lawsuit by progressive Latino voters recently redrew the 14th District and gave Democrats hope of flipping seats.
WA Wins is backing Republican Sen. Curtis King, while New Direction is supporting Democratic challenger Maria Beltran. King easily bested Beltran in the primary but Democrats say higher turnout in November will give Beltran a shot at unseating the incumbent.
Washington Senate, 17th Legislative District
Liberals are going after Republican Paul Harris in this Columbia River district that runs from Vancouver to Goldendale. A Democratic PAC called Southwest WA Priorities spent more than $220,000 in the primary against Harris.
Harris is currently a state representative. He's vying for the 17th District's open Senate seat with Marla Keethler, White Salmon's mayor. Map changes related to the Yakima Valley lawsuit could help Democrats in the 17th District.
Washington House, 24th Legislative District
Some Democrat-on-Democrat-on-Democrat action attracted about $216,000 in outside money during this primary on the Olympic Peninsula. A moderate Democrats PAC supported Adam Bernbaum, a teachers union PAC backed Eric Pickens and a youth issues PAC gave Nate Tyler a boost. Only Bernbaum advanced. He'll face Republican Matt Roberson in November.
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