Incumbent state legislators enjoy fundraising edge

17th District, Position 1

Monica Stonier (D) $191, 056.70

Lynda Wilson (R) $157, 382.43

17th District, Position 2

Paul Harris (R) $88,543

Richard McCluskey (D) $10,408.16

18th District, Position 1

Brandon Vick (R) $69,431

Mike Briggs (D) $28,543.35

18th District, Position 2

Liz Pike (R) $85,841.22

Maureen Winningham (D) $38,940.70

49th District, Position 1

Sharon Wylie (D) $62,007.99

Anson Service (R) $8,213

49th District, Position 2

Jim Moeller (D) $84,812.35

Lisa Ross (R) $13,979.27

SOURCE: state Public Disclosure Commission

Many political veterans hoping to return to Olympia this winter are enjoying a fundraising edge over their challengers.

Rep. Jim Moeller, D-Vancouver, has so much money he gave $31,000 back to his party. Although the incumbent is quick to point out he’s not taking anything for granted — the stunning defeat of U.S. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor is still fresh — Moeller has managed to raise $84,812 compared to his opponent’s $13,979, according to public disclosure reports.

Lisa Ross, who is running against Moeller, said she knew she wouldn’t win a “money war.”

“So I’m just going to go grass-roots,” Ross said. “Although, the money is starting to roll in a little bit and it feels pretty good.”

There’s an old saying that “money is the mother’s milk of politics.” The size of a candidate’s war chest isn’t the only factor determining survival, but “candidates who have more funds, have more of a capacity to get their message directly to voters,” said Carolyn Long, an associate professor of the school of politics, philosophy and public affairs at Washington State University Vancouver, who cited the phrase. “And if it’s a good message and resonates … they are going to have an advantage.”

With ballots slated to go out in less than two weeks, legislative candidates are doing their best to remind voters why they should be the ones sent to the Statehouse.

And in every local legislative race, the incumbent has a cash advantage.

The closest contest money-wise is not surprisingly the competitive 17th Legislative District, Position 1, race in which Democratic Rep. Monica Stonier, with $191,056, has a slight edge over her Republican opponent Lynda Wilson, who has raised $157,382.

Some challengers have teamed up with incumbents in other races to host fundraisers and boost their own name recognition. Political newcomer Democrat Maureen Winningham, who has raised $38,940 to her Republican opponent Liz Pike’s $85,841, plans to host a fundraiser with Rep. Sharon Wylie, D-Vancouver.

Incumbents can often rely on name recognition and past accomplishments to generate donations, but newcomers often need to get creative.

“It takes some getting used to, asking for (money) and realizing it’s a cause bigger than yourself,” Ross said.

For one fundraiser, Ross set up a book-signing and reading with local author Sean Emerson, who penned “Economics for Occupiers: A Free Market Manifesto.”

Winningham’s husband is a stand-up comedian and often kicks off her events with some laughs. Democrat Mike Briggs, who is up against incumbent Rep. Brandon Vick, R-Felida, said he’s eased up on mailers and putting out political signs. Instead, he’s put an emphasis on doorbelling.

“I think personal contact is much better,” Briggs said.

Statewide, California billionaire Tom Steyer generated headlines last week when he poured $1 million into state Senate races. Steyer, a climate activist whose political action committee is NextGen Climate, hopes to help Democrats take control of the Senate from the philosophically conservative Senate Majority Coalition Caucus.

So far, political action committees in the state, representing everyone from Realtors to teachers, have raised about $20 million this election.

Political action committees, unions, corporations and individuals do have a $950 limit on how much they can contribute to campaigns per election to a legislative candidate. There is no limit on how much a candidate can contribute to his or her own campaign.

The Clark County Elections Department is projecting a 51 percent voter turnout for the Nov. 4 general election.