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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Eye On Olympia

Who’s bankrolling who…

The state's campaign-finance watchdog, the Public Disclosure Commission, has just issued its annual "Fact Book" for the last election cycle: 2002.
The book is mainly a profile of state legislative races, including who gave how much cash to whom. It also includes information on political committee fundraising and spending.
Among the revelations: legislative candidates spent nearly $16 million last year, trying for seats in the statehouse. An average race cost $110,000 -- quite a lot of money, especially considering that the salary for a lawmaker is about $34,000 a year.
Interestingly, 11 losing candidates for state Senate spent an average of $13,000 more than the incumbents who won.
Curious to see who's bankrolling your local lawmaker's political career? Click here to download the factbook.


Short takes and breaking news from the Washington Legislature and the state capital.