Campaign contributions flow in race to replace retiring US Rep. McMorris Rodgers after 20 years

Federal Election Commission filings show more than $1.6 million raised at the end of the second quarter by candidates in the 5th Congressional District in Washington state.

Earlier this year, U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a Republican who has represented the eastern Washington district in the House of Representatives for nearly 20 years, announced she would not seek reelection, triggering a high-profile race for the congressional seat.

Fundraising isn’t the only measure of a campaign’s viability, but a lack of money makes it tough to connect with voters. Campaign finance filings for the second quarter have been posted to the FEC website, and five of the 11 active candidates who have filed for the open office are already in the six-figure range.

Spokane County Treasurer Michael Baumgartner, Republican, leads with $616,867, an increase of 53% over his total at the end of the first quarter.

State Rep. Jacquelin Maycumber, R-Republic, picked up her fundraising pace in the second quarter for a total of $286,267, more than doubling her first quarter funds.

Democrats Bernadine Bank, a medical doctor, and former diplomat Carmela Conroy follow the leaders with totals of $239,006 and $224,226, respectively.

The FEC website shows total receipts of $140,563 for Democrat Ann Marie Danimus, a small marketing business owner, as of March 31, with no second quarter filing listed.

Ferry County Commissioner Brian Dansel, endorsed for the position by delegates to the Washington State Republican Party at its convention earlier this year, is in sixth place with $90,882.

He foreshadowed the disappointing fundraising results in remarks at a Monday candidate forum hosted by the Republicans of Spokane County, saying he is not known for his fundraising ability but for his hard work in representing constituents.

Democrat Matthew Welde, a domestic violence prosecutor, has raised $26,100, while Spokane City Councilman Jonathan Bingle, a Republican, lists $20,443.

Democrat Bobbi Bennett-Wolcott, a clinical assistant professor at Washington State University’s College of Nursing, listed $8,186 in receipts.

Republicans Rick Valentine Flynn – a veteran, author and farmer – reported less than $5,000 during the first quarter with nothing reported for the second quarter.

Radio host Rene Holaday had "No processed data this period," according to the FEC.

The seat was last open in 2004 before the top-two primary was instituted in 2008. Spokane’s McMorris Rodgers, then a state representative, defeated three other Republican hopefuls in the primary to meet Democrat Don Barbieri in the general election. Total primary spending for all five candidates was $2.3 million, or about $3.6 million in 2024 dollars.