6th District House races are among state’s costliest

If money is any sign, the battles for legislative seats in Spokane are among the most competitive in the state.

Candidates for two House seats in the 6th Legislative District, a crescent-shaped area that includes parts of Spokane and areas north, south and west of the city, have raised more than $767,000 – a record for House candidates in the district. And that’s not including money spent on behalf of the candidates by independent political action committees.

The district has become a campaign contribution magnet for traditional players in politics, such as political parties, unions, Realtors and other groups.

“It’s just one of the few places in the state that can even be competitive,” said Todd Donovan, a Western Washington University political science professor.

Including money spent by independent groups, Republican Kevin Parker has a significant money advantage over his opponent, Democrat Don Barlow.

The challenger in the other race, Democrat John Driscoll, also has a fundraising lead over his opponent, Republican incumbent John Ahern.

Only the district that includes Bellevue has attracted more money for state representative races this year. The 6th and the Bellevue district already have topped the previous record: $628,000, set in 2006 by a district that includes Seattle.

Some of the money in the 6th has come from familiar sources: unions, environmental groups and Planned Parenthood for Democrats; developers, Realtors and the National Rifle Association for Republicans.

Rob Higgins, executive director of the Spokane Association of Realtors, said the group endorses candidates for all legislative races. But money is targeted.

“The committee made the decision to put the money where it might make a difference,” Higgins said. In Eastern Washington, that means the 6th. Expensive campaigns in the 6th are nothing new. The three most expensive state Senate races in Washington history were in the 6th, culminating in the 2006 matchup between Brad Benson and Chris Marr, which attracted $817,000.

Money this year has been spent on polling and consulting and TV, radio and newspaper ads. The campaigns and groups on their behalf also have been spending around $10,000 for each mailer they send to registered voters.

Bruce Pinkleton, a Washington State University communications professor, said direct mail can be more effective for candidates because it can be targeted to certain kinds of voters.

“Direct mail in some ways allows candidates to go negative more safely,” he said.

Some of the mail pieces in the 6th have gone negative. Ads for Parker and Ahern accuse their opponents of wanting to increase taxes. Ads for Driscoll and Barlow accuse their opponents of lying about their opinions on taxes.

While voters may get tired of ads, especially negative ones, the bottom line is, money makes a difference.

“When you’re able to have a strong presence in the marketplace, you certainly increase your chance of winning,” Pinkleton said.