Show me the money…
By quitting, Rossi avoids a state campaign-finance law that bans state office-holders from fundraising during the 60-day legislative session and for 30 days afterward.
Rossi's leading opponent, Democratic Attorney General Christine Gregoire, will abide by the fundraising freeze. Her staff says she has no intention of stepping down in order to raise more money.
Still, Rossi will have to do a lot of plate-passing to match Gregoire's war chest. Her most recent reports say she's raised $743,000 to Rossi's $132,000.