Video: WA Democrats lead in fundraising as election nears

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OLYMPIA, Wash. - With less than a month to go until the primary election, Governor Christine Gregoire is both raising more and spending more than republican challenger Dino Rossi.

Her latest campaign finance reports show Gregoire has about $4.2 million on hand, while Rossi has about $3.6 million.

Both candidates raised similar amounts in June. Gregoire drummed up about $1.7 million and Rossi about $1.5 million. And both of them spent it on political ads. Our latest poll from SurveyUSA showed that race was statistically a dead heat.

The other big re-match is between republican incumbent Dave Reichert and democratic challenger Darcy Burner, in the 8th congressional district. A SurveyUSA poll shows Reichert still leading Burner by six points Wednesday, unchanged from six weeks ago.

But Burner is ahead in fundraising, raising $1.2 million so far to Reichert's $916,000.

NWCN

Governor Chris Gregoire

In the second congressional district race a SurveyUSA poll shows fourth-term Democrat Rick Larsen is still well ahead of republican challenger Rick Bart, 58 percent to 37 percent.

Larsen is also well ahead in funding. He's raised about $1 million to Bart's $32,000.

So in all three races, the democrats lead in fundraising, if not in the polls. That's one reason why the Democrats expect to do well this year.

Results of SurveyUSA News Poll on elections

Data Collected: 07/27/2008 - 07/29/2008

Sponsor: KING-TV Seattle

Survey

Asked of 688 Likely Voters: If the election for U.S. House of Representatives, were today, would you vote for Republican Dave Reichert? Or, Democrat Darcy Burner?
50% Dave Reichert (R)	50%
44% Darcy Burner (D)	44%
1% Other	1%
4% Undecided	4%
Asked of 507 Likely Voters: If the election for U.S. House of Representatives, were today, would you vote for Republican Rick Bart? Or, Democrat Rick Larsen?
37% Rick Bart (R)	37%
58% Rick Larsen (D)	58%
2% Other	2%
3% Undecided	3%