Republicans David Castillo and Rep. Jaime Herrera are competing hard for campaign funds and endorsements in their race for the open 3rd Congressional District seat.
So hard, in fact, that both claim the endorsement of Rep. Ed Orcutt, Herrera’s fellow 18th District state representative.
In a press release this week, Castillo, an Olympia financial consultant and former chief of staff to the House Republican Caucus, included Orcutt’s name in a list of 13 House Republicans who have endorsed him.
Herrera also claims Orcutt’s endorsement.
Orcutt explains: “I endorsed Castillo back in May or June of last year. When Jaime got into the race I decided to co-endorse because both could serve us well in Congress.”
Castillo campaign spokesman Bill Lohr said Castillo has no obligation to report that Orcutt has endorsed his opponent, as well.
Castillo also has been endorsed by Attorney General Rob McKenna, former Attorney General Ken Eikenberry and 15 other state legislators, including Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver and House Minority Leader Richard DeBolt, R-Chehalis.
Herrera has been endorsed by Clark County Commissioner Marc Boldt, state Sen. Joe Zarelli, R-Ridgefield, and former state Public Lands Commissioner Doug Sutherland, among others.
Castillo, who worked as an official in the Department of Homeland Security during the Bush administration, declared his candidacy for the 3rd District seat last spring, well before U.S. Rep. Brian Baird announced in December that he would not seek re-election.
He maintains a healthy fund-raising lead among Republicans in the race, although Herrera made a strong showing in the final weeks of 2009.
According to the latest Federal Election Commission filings, Castillo raised $50,298 in the last three months of 2009, for a total of more than $104,000.
“He’s raised the money he’s needed to raise, he has very consequential endorsements, and he’s the most qualified candidate running,” Lohr said.
Herrera raised $55,775 in a 15-day blitz at the end of December, including Christmas Day.
“Most of my contributions were from people in my area, people who own small businesses, people who were waiting for a change in direction,” she said. “It’s good to get off to a solid start, but the reality is, this is an 11-month campaign.”
On the Democratic side, Olympia businessman Denny Heck, a former state representative from Clark County and the founder of the public affairs cable channel TVW, maintains a clear fundraising lead, with $114,000 in campaign contributions buttressed by a $100,000 loan he made to his campaign.
Rep. Deb Wallace raised nearly $23,000 and state Sen. Craig Pridemore about $8,500 in the final days of December after they launched their campaigns. Both are Vancouver Democrats.
The next campaign fundraising reports are due March 31.
Heck was endorsed last week by Gov. Chris Gregoire and state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler.
Wallace has been endorsed by former Clark County Commissioner Betty Sue Morris, former state Rep. Val Ogden and philanthropist David Nierenberg, among others.
Pridemore has landed the endorsements of state Reps. Jim Jacks and Jim Moeller, both Vancouver Democrats; Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane; Clark County Commissioner Steve Stuart; and state Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn.
Kathie Durbin: 360-735-4523 or kathie.durbin@columbian.com.
