WA-03: Deb Wallace withdraws; Denny Heck rakes in out-of-district money

Full Disclosure: I am a supporter and volunteer for Senator Craig Pridemore's campaign to succeed Brian Baird as U.S. Representative in the 3rd District. My opinions do not necessarily reflect those of Pridemore for Congress.

Denny Heck must be confused. First, he's claiming the mantle of the hometown boy done good, even though he hasn't lived in Vancouver for over 20 years. And now, Heck seems to be running for another Congressional seat (Tacoma, Seattle, Dulles, Alexandria, or Washington, D.C.), since that is where most of the money that is funding his campaign (outside of his personal funds that he's loaned the campaign)is coming from.

Of the $114,738 that Denny Heck has collected thus far in the campaign (not counting the personal funds he has loaned the campaign), $78, 738 or 68.6% of his total, has come from outside the 3rd Congressional District. The amounts donated come from the FEC website (linked above) and the information provided on that site has been cross-referenced with Congressman Brian Baird's website to determine if the ZIP codes are in the 3rd District or not. Obviously, the overwhelming majority of Denny Heck's donations are coming from outside the 3rd District, and he's not running a grassroots campaign that speaks to the people of the district. So why should we elect Denny Heck, when he's representing interests outside our district?

In other 3rd Congressional District News, state Representative Deb Wallace has dropped out of the race. Unlike Senator Craig Pridemore, who is not up for re-election to the Senate this year, Wallace is and would have to give up her seat if she lost the congressional race. Deb Wallace issued the following statement on her withdrawal:

Citing the need for Democrats to come together around one strong candidate, Rep. Deb Wallace, candidate for Congress in the 3rd Congressional District, announced yesterday she would no longer continue her bid for Congress.

“We cannot let the 3rd Congressional Seat go to an anti-choice, anti-health care Republican,” Said Wallace. “We must come together and support a Democrat who will keep the people at the heart of their mission to serve.”

Although Wallace is not making an endorsement for another candidate at this time she believes we need to elect a true moderate Democrat who has the wherewithal to win this election.

Wallace is focused on finishing the current 60 day legislative session where she is fighting to keep college tuition from increasing and working to promote new job creation. She will continue to serve out her term as State Representative from the 17th Legislative District and as Chair of the House Higher Education Committee.

Though Wallace says she's not endorsing anyone at this point, her remarks about electing a "true moderate candidate" appear to be a parting shot at Craig Pridemore, who has demonstrated that he's the progressive champion in the race.