Democratic congressional candidate Denny Heck announced Tuesday that he has built a campaign chest of $215,000 in his quest to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Brian Baird as Washington’s 3rd Congressional District representative.
Heck, a former state representative who founded the state TVW network, said he raised $115,000 in the final eight days of 2009, in addition to committing $100,000 of his own money. He formally announced his candidacy Jan. 6.
Other Democratic candidates in the race are state Sen. Craig Pridemore, and state Rep. Deb Wallace, both of Vancouver; Hispanic activist Maria Rodriguez-Salazar of Vancouver; and Olympia peace activist Cheryl Crist.
Republicans are state Rep. Jaime Herrera of Camas, Olympia financial planner and former Homeland Security official David Castillo, Washougal City Councilor Jon Russell and former Marine David Hedrick of Camas.
Heck is the first candidate to announce the results of his fundraising efforts. The Federal Election Commission’s next campaign finance reporting deadline is Jan. 31.
