Jay Inslee
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jay Inslee has transferred $155,000 from his old federal campaign account to the state Democratic Party in a move that effectively allows him to circumvent limitations on how he can use that cash. (AP Photo/File)

Inslee sends $155K in federal cash to state party

April 14, 2012 @ 9:22 am (Updated: 6:41 am - 4/16/12 )

Congressman Jay Inslee has transferred $155,000 from his old federal campaign account to the state Democratic Party in a move that effectively allows him to circumvent limitations on how he can use that cash, according to reports released Friday.

By simply sending the batch of money to the state Democratic Party, Inslee can help pay for get-out-the vote efforts that will benefit him. The state party has also been providing him hundreds of thousands of dollars in financial support in recent months.

Inslee spokesman Sterling Clifford said the money is not a quid-pro-quo to shift money to the Inslee campaign but is sent to the state party's federal efforts to encourage voting.

"There is a party-led get-out-the-vote effort that benefits candidates from the top of the federal ticket all the way down," Clifford said.

Inslee, who resigned from his job in Congress last month, still has $375,000 in his federal account.

Even with more than $700,000 in support from the Washington State Democrats, Inslee has only managed to build a small fundraising lead in his race for governor.

Meanwhile, Republican Attorney General Rob McKenna has largely been unable to fundraise for months because of rules prohibiting state politicians from raising cash while the Legislature is in session.

The state party can transfer a maximum of about $3 million to Inslee's campaign.

Lori Anderson, a spokeswoman for the state's Public Disclosure Commission, said the state party has an account segregated specifically for federal money.

"We don't have regulatory authority over that federal money," Anderson said. "And we don't have any authority over the political party's ability to accept it."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Comments (19)


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  • Moondoggie wrote...
    If Jay thinks this will silence critics, he is dumber than I thought.
    April 14, 2012 10:31 am
    So jay sends 155K to the Dems. and they then send 700K back to Jay. A clear violation of the spirit of the law. Real smart move Jay. It's going to be so easy for McKenna to paint Inslee as an opportunistic party hack.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    yes, yes and yes
    April 14, 2012 10:46 am
    Yes he does. Yes he is. And, yes tor McKenna, can anyone say field day ?. .................. As for reposting, who knows. Some stories are reworks with starting comments from a year ago.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Moondoggie wrote...
    Why
    April 14, 2012 10:33 am
    has this story been reposted and the previous comments erased?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ottmilkr wrote...
    Moon
    April 14, 2012 10:34 am
    Somebody did not like the comments
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Sportfisher wrote...
    Perhaps we need a new law that confiscates all political funds
    April 14, 2012 3:03 pm
    to pay off the debt, when they retire. Its campaign money anyway. They do it to family members.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    Moondoggie : day late dollar short on comments removed . . . .
    April 14, 2012 3:41 pm
    next Washington state Governor will be Jay Inslee. I hope Dino get in the race to the bottom.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • soo purletiv wrote...
    How much
    April 14, 2012 4:37 pm
    is he going to send to the state to pay for the special election?

    No really, how much?

    A round ballpark figure is all I am looking for......

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    I got a ballpark frank your looking for . . . .
    April 14, 2012 5:27 pm
    come get it.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Moondoggie wrote...
    I don't think Ch
    April 14, 2012 5:56 pm
    even makes any sense to CH anymore.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    Stupid posts as stupid does.
    April 14, 2012 6:11 pm
    I looked up the word "imbecile" in Webster's. There was a small drawing of CH there.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    Just another Dimocrat w/ no morals or ethics.
    April 14, 2012 6:10 pm
    I wonder how he looks at himself in the mirror?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • longwayhome wrote...
    hpd
    April 14, 2012 7:22 pm
    You have taken over for "it's me" in the stupidity corner. Criticism of another posters views does not make your views any better, it lessens your credibility (which is non existent anyway) and makes this board nothing but a waste of time. It could be a learning experience for all of us to share ideas without the hate and discontent. I know I am guilty of criticism and will try to mend my ways. Any hope of a change here? I'm willing to try.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Moondoggie wrote...
    longwayhome---This is what you just posted on anotyher story
    April 14, 2012 8:05 pm
    Barking republican posters are a nuisance on this site. Shock therapy? How about a cattle prod to keep them in line? That's the only way to get the attention of a republican, plug him into 110 volts or tell him his investment in the health care industry just tanked, or halliburton just went into chapter #11. I think you need to try harder.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }