Election Center
Related Coverage, Page 11
Contradictory gun initiatives favored by majority, poll shows
OLYMPIA – Washington voters appear confused about a pair of contradictory gun initiatives that will be on the November ballot and could approve both this fall, a new survey suggests. If that happens, the courts may have to sort out initiatives 591 and 594, which deal very differently with the question of background checks for gun buyers. I-594 would expand background checks in Washington beyond the current federal standards to cover most sales. I-591 would allow background checks to be expanded only as part of a new national standard.
McMorris Rodgers raises 12 times the money as her foe
WASHINGTON – Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers has raised about 12 times as much money as her Democratic challenger in the first three months of this year, reports filed with the Federal Elections Commission show. Joe Pakootas, chief executive officer of the Colville Tribal Federal Corporation, brought in campaign contributions of $28,951 between January and March, while McMorris Rodgers raised $363,324.
Baumgartner hosts re-election breakfast
Although he’s been raising money for nearly a year, state Sen. Mike Baumgartner makes it official Thursday with a formal kickoff breakfast for his re-election campaign. Republican Baumgartner, 38, was elected to the 6th District seat in 2010, defeating incumbent Democrat Chris Marr in what became the most expensive legislative race that year. In the minority his first two years, Baumgartner has been a member of the coalition of Republicans and two disaffected Democrats who controlled the Senate for the last two.
Joe Pakootas, Colville Tribe CEO, starts run for U.S. House
As a member of Congress gains stature in Washington, D.C., opponents often have more trouble defeating them in elections back home. Eastern Washington Democrats are hoping the reverse is true this year as Joe Pakootas prepares to run against Republican Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers. He’s counting on a boost from the public’s general low opinion of Congress, and thinks its partisan wrangling and its short time in session will work against the 10-year incumbent who is part of Republican leadership.