MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Gov. Inslee inches closer to Democratic presidential debate stage

May 21, 2019, 12:39 PM | Updated: 3:54 pm

Jay Inslee, security detail...

(Ted Warren / AP)

(Ted Warren / AP)

Gov. Jay Inslee is inching closer to meeting the minimum requirement to be allowed to take the Democratic debate stage for the 2020 presidential primary.

Inslee polling behind ‘someone else’ but raises $2.25 million

Inslee announced Monday that “more than 60,000 people” have donated to his campaign. In order to to participate in the Democrat debates, he needs 65,000 individual donors, 200 of whom must be from 20 different states.

The campaign donors requirement is one of two possible criteria that candidates have the option of meeting. The other requires a candidate to poll at 1 percent or greater in three national polls, something Inslee has struggled to do since his campaign launched.

Despite his poor polling numbers, Gov. Inslee’s fundraising efforts have proven successful in the early months of his run at the White House. In mid-April, he revealed that his campaign had raised over $2.25 million in a month-and-a-half, 95 percent of which came from individual donations under $100 each.

73 percent of voters haven’t heard of Jay Inslee

Representatives from his campaign pointed to his strong climate change message as the driving factor behind the fundraising efforts.

“This first-month fundraising shows strong grassroots momentum for Gov. Inslee’s message of defeating climate change,” said campaign manager Aisling Kerins. “Jay Inslee is the only 2020 candidate who will make climate change the top priority. That clear message allowed Gov. Inslee’s upstart campaign to raise money at a faster clip than many better-known candidates.

Inslee’s climate change plan got a signal boost just this week too, thanks to an endorsement from New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

MyNorthwest News

shootout...

Tom Brock

North Seattle shootout leaves dozens of shell casings, hair-raising close call for woman in her apartment

People living in a north Seattle neighborhood survived a shootout Saturday morning, but their homes and cars were damaged in a flurry of gunfire.

6 hours ago

Everett...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Everett proposes a $766 million budget with a potential new sales tax

Everett’s proposed budget for next year does not cut services or staff, but it could include a new sales tax to fund public safety.

10 hours ago

Bellevue’s Cantina Monarca sets sights on Seattle waterfront debut in 2027...

Regan Gallo-Fenz

Bellevue’s Cantina Monarca sets sights on Seattle waterfront debut in 2027

From gourmet tacos to lobster enchiladas, Bellevue's Cantina Monarca is coming to Seattle.

16 hours ago

Seahawks...

Luke Duecy

Seahawks vs. Chiefs: How the 12s can reclaim the world record for loudest stadium

Seattle Seahawks fans have a record to reclaim, and science offers a few clues about how to do it.

16 hours ago

e-scooter...

Brittany Perry, KIRO 7 News

5-year-old hospitalized with life-threatening injuries in crash involving car, e-scooter

Two children were injured in a crash involving an e-scooter and a car on Friday afternoon, and one of those children is fighting for their life.

1 day ago

winco foods grocery store seattle renton opening...

MyNorthwest Staff

WinCo Foods recalls popular bread item distributed in WA

WinCo Foods has recalled a popular bread item due to an undeclared allergen.

1 day ago

Gov. Inslee inches closer to Democratic presidential debate stage