Pre-primary spending heats up in Seattle

Plus more bad news on Medicaid, a big PDC fine and some recommended reading

With the Aug. 5 primary less than two weeks away, independent money is starting to fly around in earnest as political players try to boost favored candidates’ fortunes. 

Let’s take a look at the cash playing in Seattle, where two leading figures in city government face upstart challenges from the left. 

Bruce Harrell For Seattle’s Future, the business-backed PAC that has the Seattle mayor’s back, spent $68,000 on direct mail hyping hizzoner and discouraging voters from choosing Katie Wilson, who’s coming at him from the left. 

The two candidates are almost exactly square in direct fundraising at about $450K apiece thanks to the city’s democracy voucher system, which requires candidates to accept contribution and spending limits in exchange for the ability to solicit the four $25 vouchers issued to every registered voter in the city. 

The pro-Harrell PAC’s money, about $250K so far, comes mostly from the world of big property developers. The biggest check, $25K, came from Homestreet Bank, followed by smaller five-figure checks from prominent developers and allies. A similar cast of fat cats was there for Harrell’s first run in 2021.

Here’s the anti-Wilson side of the mailer: