Democrats respond to Rossi financial support

Independent backers of Republican gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi have added millions of dollars into the already record-breaking campaign in the last few days, and the Democrats aren't happy about it.

Both the Washington State Democratic Party and the Gregoire campaign released statements about the news that the Building Industry Association of Washington added another $4 million to their campaign efforts on behalf of Dino Rossi, and that the Republican Governors Association contributed another $3.5 million to advocate for Rossi.

The Seattle Times reports that the total cash on hand between interest groups and campaigns is now lopsided on Rossi's behalf by a 4-to-1 ratio. The RGA, BIAW and Rossi campaign have $8 million to spend in the next three weeks compared to $1.8 million for Gregoire and her backers, the union-backed Evergreen Progress.

In addition to the third party influx, Rossi has outraised Gregoire recently, and has accrued the highest total of individual contributors in state history.

Statement from Washington State Democratic Party Chair Dwight Pelz:

"The fact that Bush-bankrolled DC Republicans and Rossi's shady builder friends have just ponied up the most campaign cash in Washington state history shows they will do anything, say anything, and spend anything to buy the governor's mansion for Republican Dino Rossi. Since day one, Rossi and his allies have run the sleaziest, most despicable campaign in Washington state history - including substantial illegal activity in which Mr. Rossi appears to have been directly and personally involved. Now that Rossi's backers have put it all on the line to buy the election for him, it's time Rossi answers questions about his role in their illegal activities - under oath and before the election. 

We've always expected to be outspent in this race by Rossi's wealthy and powerful special interest backers. While voters should brace themselves for the final wave of Rossi and his backers' illegally-financed smear campaign, we're confident Washingtonians won't put a Bush Republican like Rossi in charge of our state, and will re-elect Gov. Gregoire for her strong record of getting real results for us in tough times."

Statement from Gregoire campaign spokesman Aaron Toso:

"Dino Rossi and his friends are waging the most bitter, divisive and negative campaign that Washington has ever seen. From signs claiming Seattle will steal the election, to scaring voters with sex offenders, to outright lies, they have proved they will stop at nothing to buy the Governor's mansion.

"He can talk about a citizen's movement, but Dino Rossi is bought and paid for by special interests."

Rossi's campaign did not respond to a request for comment, but the candidate himself recently told PolitickerWA.com that he felt it was Gregoire's campaign that was "bitter, angry and divisive."