Kirkland residents have already given about $750K
With the 2008 elections only six months away, Kirkland is doing its part to keep campaign fundraising going at a record pace.
Local residents have contributed at least $746,834 to various campaigns and committees for November’s elections, according to April numbers released by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and Washington State’s Public Disclosure Commission (PDC). The numbers are virtually the same, if not slightly higher, than at the same time in 2004, when Kirkland residents and organizations contributed a record $1.9 million. Thousands more have likely been raised, but the FEC does not track donations under $200 and the PDC does not require disclosure of amounts of $25 or less.
“Our purpose is to bring more transparency to the public,”
said PDC spokeswoman Lori Anderson, speaking on behalf of the independent body of commissioners appointed every five years by the state’s governor. “We want them to see how money affects government.”
Pushing the numbers at such an early stage is the democratic presidential primary race. The top recipient of Kirkland’s campaign donations so far is presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, with $90,045. He is followed by Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-New York, with $48,950 and the leading republican candidate, Sen. John McCain, with $19,300. McCain is scheduled to host a fundraiser in Bellevue May 13.
In Washington’s gubernatorial race, republican Dino Rossi has raised $61,861 here, while Gov. Christine Gregoire is close behind with $56,587. As of May 2, the pair have raised over $8.4 million statewide and will probably pass the $14 million mark set in 2004. This year’s numbers are closer between the pair than in 2004, when Rossi topped Gregoire in Kirkland by a nearly 3 to 1 margin. Nonetheless, Rossi’s campaign says it is pleased that, as of May 2, 435 local residents have contributed to his bid for governor.
“We’re going to continue talking about issues folks in Kirkland care about most,” Rossi spokeswoman Jill Strait said, outlining the former state senator’s local campaign strategy. “Transportation, providing congestion relief … replacing the 520 bridge and widening the 405 — these are projects that are important to Kirkland.”
According to the PDC, Gregoire has yet to report any contributions from Kirkland donors in 2008. Anderson said that’s because the governor wasn’t allowed by law to raise money for her re-election while the legislature — which adjourned in April — was in session. Money Gregoire raised here hasn’t shown up yet because the candidates are only required to report monthly. Updated numbers will be released in mid-May.
The top donor within the city right now is Joel Benoliel, Costco’s senior vice president. Benoliel has contributed at least $25,500 to Democratic Party candidates and committees, including the area’s largest single donation of $10,000 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Not far behind is Papillon Airways chairman Elling Halvorson, who has given at least $15,850 to Rossi, state Attorney General Bob McKenna and the state’s Republican Party.
The big election year has also inspired several Kirkland City Council members to open their wallets. Council members Jessica Greenway, Dave Asher and Joan McBride have all contributed to Gregoire’s campaign, while none apparently have given to Rossi. Councilman Bob Sternoff is the only one to contribute to a republican (McKenna), while Councilwoman Mary-Alyce Burleigh is supporting the democratic candidate for state attorney general, John Ladenburg.
Information on donations funding Washington state races and committees can be found at the PDC’s Web site, www.pdc.wa.gov.
