The Sunday Observer: Money for boots on the ground

Labor-fueled PAC hires canvassers in key swing districts

Last week we brought you a look at the big stacks of public-sector labor cash flying around, mainly through a political action committee called New Direction that works to protect and expand the Democratic majorities in the Legislature. This week we look at how that money’s getting spent.

First, a note on the impact of last year’s redistricting process, which redrew the lines of lawmakers’ districts: One of the takeaways of last month’s primary is that there are fewer swing districts than before. Despite Republicans’ attempt to broaden the battlefield, you can count the districts that are really up for grabs in November on one hand.

Here’s why you should care about this. Democrats are unlikely to lose the majority outright in either the House or the Senate, but losing even a few seats would strengthen the hands of the moderate blocs in each caucus. That handful of centrists has a history of killing things beloved by progressive interest groups. Remember that hospitals vs. nurses thing from earlier this year? A net gain for Democrats likely weakens that bloc.

New Direction PAC’s filings with the Public Disclosure Commission over the past week show the smart money on the left is focusing on three districts — the 26th on the Kitsap Peninsula, the 42nd in Whatcom County, and the 10th, which is centered around Whidbey Island.