Englund-Dhingra Race Most Expensive Senate Contest Ever: PDC

REDMOND, WA - The fight for the 45th Legislative District state Senate seat - which is also a fight for control over the state Senate - between Democrat Manka Dhingra and Republican Jinyoung Lee Englund is breaking campaign spending records, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission. Spending in the race recently surpassed the former most-expensive race, which was also for the 45th District state Senate seat.

According to the PDC, Dhingra and Englund have spent a combined $2.4 million so far. Each candidate has raised close to $1.3 million in direct contributions. And the cash is only expected to continue to flow into the race.

"With three weeks left to go before the Nov. 7 election, we expect this high-profile race will continue to attract national attention, leading to further record-breaking spending,” PDC Executive Director Peter Lavallee said in a release.

The previous spending record for a state Senate campaign was set during the 2014 race between former state Sen. Andy Hill and challenger Democrat Matt Isenhower. The spending in that race, however, seems quaint compared to 2017. Hill and Isenhower spend a combined $1.49 million during the entire race, according to the PDC.

The biggest donor to Englund has been the state Senate Republican Campaign Committee with about $90,000 in contributions so far. The state House Democratic Caucus Campaign is the largest donor to Dhingra with $85,000 in contributions.

Image via Elaine Thompson/Associated Press