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Washington congressional races on track to set fundraising records

These fundraising charts are designed to highlight the source of campaign contributions of Washington congressional races and how much cash is coming from out of state or special interest groups, compared to people actually living in the state.

Congressional races in Washington state this year are on track to set new spending records, compared to years past.

Candidates in the three most competitive races have already raised millions of dollars, ahead of the primary, and the spending will only increase in the months ahead.

KING 5 is tracking the fundraising in Washington’s 8th District, Eastern Washington’s 5th District, and Southwest Washington’s 3rd District.

The charts below are designed to help you get a better idea of the source of campaign contributions and how much cash is coming from out of state or special interest groups, compared in Washington individuals.

8th Congressional District campaign contributions

In the 8th District race, Republican Dino Rossi is leading the money race, currently, raising more than three million dollars so far.

As the chart shows you, the peak of his fundraising happened in September of last year, when he entered the race. The majority of his money, more than 85 percent is coming from individuals, but nearly 13 percent has come from Political Action Committees.

A top PAC contributing to Rossi’s campaign is called “Club for Growth” donating more than $150,000 to Rossi, so far, according to FEC filings. The conservative group describes itself as a pro-growth, limited government group; Rossi appears on their list of endorsed candidates.

Dr. Kim Schrier has less PAC spending, under 3 percent. A number of labor groups have contributed to her campaign, as well as Emily’s list, a group that supports female candidates.

The remaining money comes from donations received through the group ActBlue, an online Democratic fundraising tool, based in Massachusetts. That’s why Massachusetts shows up at the top of her list of out-of-state contributors.

5th Congressional District campaign contributions

In the race for Washington’s 5th Congressional District, incumbent Republican Cathy McMorris Rodgers, has already raised more than $3.8 million dollars. The chart shows her fundraising ramping up in the weeks ahead of the August primary.

Nearly 38 percent of her money comes from PACs and much of it originates from a joint fundraising PAC called the McMorris Rodgers American Dream Project.

Top donors to the PAC include Edmund Schweitzer of Schweitzer Engineering Labs in Pullman, Washington.

Pharmaceutical billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong who recently bought the Los Angeles Times also donated $50,000 to the McMorris Rodgers PAC.

Meanwhile, Democrat Lisa Brown has raised nearly $2.4 million, so far. Like Schrier, she’s also received support from labor PACS, as well as the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC and ActBlue donations. While both Brown and McMorris Rodgers are running to represent eastern Washington, they’ve both received Western Washington donations; Lisa Brown from Seattle and McMorris Rodgers from Mercer Island.

3rd Congressional District campaign contributions

In the race for the 3rd district, incumbent Republican Jaime Herrera Beutler has raised more than $1.5 million to Democratic challenger Carolyn Long’s more than $600,000, as of the latest filing.

Track the money in the 3rd district via the FEC site

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