Democratic challenger Carolyn Long has already amassed more than $275,000 since launching her bid for the 3rd Congressional District in November. Long is one of three Democrats hoping to unseat Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground, who is seeking a fourth term.
“This is just one of many goals that we’re going to hit on our way to victory in November,” Long said in a statement. “We’re proud of the outpouring of support from grass-roots donors and the more than 1,000 combined volunteers and endorsements that make our campaign strong.”
One of the outstanding challenges of this race is the ability to raise campaign funds. Herrera Beutler took in more than $1.3 million in 2016 and raised nearly $580,000 in 2017. She also had more than $385,000 left over from the 2016 election to start her 2018 campaign fund.
The reporting deadline for the Federal Election Commission’s quarterly reports isn’t until April 15, when fundraising totals for all candidates will be finalized.
In terms of cash on hand, Democratic candidate David McDevitt is leading the pack. He’s only reported $19,850 in contributions so far, but he loaned his campaign $300,000. McDevitt told The Daily News he’s loaned the campaign another $100,000 since then.
Dorothy Gasque is also making a run for the 3rd District as a Democrat. In 2017, she reported contributions totaling about $23,000. Gasque has committed to running a grass-roots campaign and has stated that she will not accept corporate-interest donations.
Wyatt Arnall, Long’s campaign manager, said their campaign will also not accept corporate Political Action Committee money but will take contributions from labor groups and organizations that align with her beliefs, such as Planned Parenthood.
Arnall added that Long’s first-quarter contributions mark the most any Democratic challenger has reported since Herrera Beutler first took office in 2010.
The last notable Democratic challenger, Jim Moeller, reported only $112,575 in contributions for his 2016 bid.
“I think it just shows people are really thirsty for change,” Arnall said. “People are just really excited. They see Carolyn and they see she is really an ideal candidate to take on the incumbent.”
Long’s campaign released a poll in March that showed Herrera Beutler is vulnerable as a candidate. The poll found that only 39 percent of voters approve of the representative’s performance and that only 38 percent would vote to re-elect her.
