Guess who deep-pocketed Republicans like for Seattle mayor? – seattlepi.com
Photo: GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM
Seattle Mayoral candidate Jenny Durkan and her supporters celebrate her first place position in the primary race, as returns come in Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2017.
Seattle Mayoral candidate Jenny Durkan and her supporters celebrate her first place position in the primary race, as returns come in Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2017.
Guess who deep-pocketed Republicans like for Seattle mayor?
Coming off a primary election that included 21 candidates, the Seattle mayor's race was left with two liberal Democrats contending in the nonpartisan election.
Standing to the left of center -- but just barely is former U.S. Attorney Jenny Durkan. Durkan is a liberal political insider in the image of her endorser, embattled incumbent Mayor Ed Murray. She draws backers from many of the same people and groups who supported Murray before he left the race in May amid sex abuse allegations.
And in the farther left corner is Cary Moon, an urban planner and activist who fought hard against the state Route 99 tunnel. Moon has self-identified as a city hall outsider, and her politics are considerably less moderate than Durkan's.
RELATED: Connelly: It's Durkan vs. Moon for mayor, but with Oliver declaring victory
Each has announced her platform, but that only tells part of the story. They have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars together and, like all fundraising, there is another story to be told there.
Campaign finance records filed with the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) and collected atFollowTheMoney.org show who donated to whom, and what that might say about each candidate. We looked back at many donors' history of giving to see what they supported in candidates and issues.
The story that emerged was simple: Only a sliver of Moon's donors have given to anything other than Democrats or Dem-backed issues. Durkan's donors, however, include a sampling of the city's wealthy, some of whom almost exclusively backed Republicans or Republican-backed causes in the past.
(Moon, who was something of an underdog in the crowded primary, has self-funded more than half the $181,478 that she has raised so far.)
Take Tom Alberg who donated the maximum $500 to Durkan's campaign. Alberg, the managing director of Madrona Venture Group, has given to candidates 72 times since 1999. Of those donations, 57 went to Republicans, including Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush in 2016, according to data from FollowTheMoney.org. In 2010, Alberg gave $25,000 to a campaign against a measure to institute a state income tax. He also backed campaigns in seven states outside Washington.
Suzanne Burke, president of real estate organization The Fremont Dock Company, gave Durkan $500 toward her candidacy. Burke, who has donated more than $86,000 to campaigns since 1995, has given most of that to Republicans, including $250 in 2016 to U.S. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan. She has also made several donations to the King County Republican Central Committee.
Durkan has a number of endorsements from labor groups, but the business sector has given to her campaign, either through CEOs and other figureheads, or directly from companies themselves.
RELATED: Connelly: Labor Council endorses Jenny Durkan for mayor
Kansas-based Ash Grove Cement Company (they have operations in Seattle) handed Durkan $500, but the company has a tendency to back more conservative candidates overall. Of the $1.1 million donated by Ash Grove in the last 23 years, $812,000 has gone to Republicans, according to data from FollowTheMoney.org.
Moon has set herself out as the anti-establishment candidate, and pointed to Durkan as more her opposite than a kindred leftist.
"The fact that we had an unprecedented turnout, and 70 percent of voters were for one of the more progressive candidates, the five of us to the left of Jenny Durkan, is a real sign that voters have had enough with big money and the political establishment running this city in the wrong direction, and they're ready for change," Moon told Seattle Weekly.
In Durkan's case, big money is certainly accurate, as she has accrued more than $523,000 in 2,470 donations compared to Moon's 380 donations totaling just shy of $69,000 in cash, according to PDC records. But Moon pledged not to accept corporate donations and instead has funded $109,000 of her total campaign funds out of her own pocket.
And those who gave to Moon bear little resemblance to Durkan's donors.
Jabez Blumenthal, an investor who is known for being a big campaign giver, gave Moon $500. He has donated more than $400,000 over the last 14 years. Most of it has gone to campaigns on ballot initiatives backed by Democrats or Democrat-minded interests; none went to Republican candidates.
A number of Moon's donors had no records of campaign donations at FollowTheMoney.org, which collects campaign finance data from across the U.S. in local, state and federal elections.
But still, some of her donors have lobbed money to the right before.
Steven Fetter, a consultant, gave $2,700 in support of efforts to get Republican Ohio Gov. John Kasich on the presidential ticket.
And then there's Peter H. Van Oppen, a partner in Trilogy Equity, who has mostly given to Dems, but in 2012 gave $1,000 each to President Barack Obama and Republican opponent Mitt Romney.
Even if most of her donors are, in fact, honest leftists not of the Seattle establishment, Moon is known around town as a powerful figure and she's not exactly poor (as evidenced by her funding more than $100,000 of her own campaign).
Daniel DeMay covers Seattle culture, city hall, and transportation for seattlepi.com. He can be reached at 206-448-8362 ordanieldemay@seattlepi.com.Follow him on Twitter:@Daniel_DeMay.
Read more here:
Guess who deep-pocketed Republicans like for Seattle mayor? - seattlepi.com
- Will democratic socialist Francesca Hong shake up the establishment or help Republicans win Wisconsin? - The Guardian - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- 9 Republicans on US Senate primary ballot but 1 clear frontrunner - 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Republicans win Hardeman County seats for first time in 25 years - wbbjtv.com - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Republicans vying to face Rep. Castor in redrawn Hillsborough district - WFLA - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Rep. Max Miller Stays in the Race. What Will Republicans Do Now? - News of the United States - NOTUS - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Trump claims Black voters are rejecting socialism, and 'flocking' to Republicans. Heres what the data says - TheGrio - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Sen. Tim Scott: Republicans could win 54 seats with expanded Senate map - CNN - August 11th, 2026 [August 11th, 2026]
- Are Republicans blind to the canaries in the Florida and Texas coal mines? - The Hill - August 9th, 2026 [August 9th, 2026]
- Americans are turning against AI and its a problem for Republicans - The Times - August 9th, 2026 [August 9th, 2026]
- Trump has squandered Republicans typical advantages in 2 key areas - CNN - August 9th, 2026 [August 9th, 2026]
- John James considering these 7 Republicans to be his running mate - detroitnews.com - August 9th, 2026 [August 9th, 2026]
- Republicans are the real winners of Michigans primary - The Economist - August 9th, 2026 [August 9th, 2026]
- Republicans face likely year-end test after punting Trump spending bill - Politico - August 9th, 2026 [August 9th, 2026]
- Amodei still refuses to back Flippo as rift between the two Republicans grows - The Nevada Independent - August 9th, 2026 [August 9th, 2026]
- Trump says the GOP base is 'angry at Republicans,' but not at him - USA Today - August 9th, 2026 [August 9th, 2026]
- MD Republicans sue Moore, elections officials over redistricting ballot question - Maryland Daily Record - August 9th, 2026 [August 9th, 2026]
- Ban hijabs and halal foods? Texas Republicans offer early blueprint of plan to 'stop Islam' - Dallas News - August 9th, 2026 [August 9th, 2026]
- Republicans and Democrats uniting against animal testing are wrong - The Economist - August 9th, 2026 [August 9th, 2026]
- Key Republicans say they'll support Blanche for AG after he rescinds 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' - ABC7 Chicago - August 9th, 2026 [August 9th, 2026]
- Republicans Behind in Five Key Races They Havent Lost in Decades - Newsweek - August 9th, 2026 [August 9th, 2026]
- Ohio Rep. Max Miller faces a growing number of calls to resign from fellow Republicans - NBC News - August 9th, 2026 [August 9th, 2026]
- This Week, Republicans Won Some Battles. Democrats Are Still Winning the War - Cook Political Report - August 9th, 2026 [August 9th, 2026]
- What to Watch in the Kansas Primaries: Can Republicans Flip a Governors Mansion? - The New York Times - August 5th, 2026 [August 5th, 2026]
- With Susan Collins opposed to Todd Blanche, his fate rests with two Senate Republicans - MS NOW - August 5th, 2026 [August 5th, 2026]
- Joseph Solomon Jr. is asking Republicans to disaffiliate and vote for him in the Democratic Primary for Attorney General - SteveAhlquist.news - August 5th, 2026 [August 5th, 2026]
- Republicans are not seizing the day and broadcasting economic progress: Adam Johnson - Fox Business - August 5th, 2026 [August 5th, 2026]
- 'I had to look my kids in the eyes': Why some Republicans are backing Gov. Katie Hobbs - ABC15 Arizona - August 5th, 2026 [August 5th, 2026]
- Ahead of midterms, Republicans run ads after cutting healthcare funds - NPR - August 5th, 2026 [August 5th, 2026]
- Republicans stand behind Trump on Iran even as unpopularity of conflict grows - The Hill - August 5th, 2026 [August 5th, 2026]
- Cornyn Claims Republicans Cant Rein In Trumpas He Bends the Knee - The New Republic - August 5th, 2026 [August 5th, 2026]
- Republicans are in too little disarray - Slow Boring - August 5th, 2026 [August 5th, 2026]
- Florida Republicans now have a 1.5 million voter registration advantage over Democrats - Creative Loafing Tampa - August 5th, 2026 [August 5th, 2026]
- Here are the Republicans who could replace Chuck Edwards on the ballot in North Carolina - Washington Examiner - August 5th, 2026 [August 5th, 2026]
- Republicans spent years targeting progressive dark money. That could now boomerang on Trump. - CBS News - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- Grassley is lobbying other Republicans to okay Blanche as attorney general - Radio Iowa - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- Republicans have nothing to run on in midterms after Trump failures, Jeffries says - The Guardian - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- The 2026 House Map is No More Favorable to Republicans than the 2018 Map was - Sabato's Crystal Ball - Center For Politics - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- Republicans head home for the summer after a string of losses in Congress - The Guardian - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- California Republicans urge RFK Jr. to block new Newsom-backed taxes on health insurers - Denver Gazette - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- Lindsey Graham, the South Carolina senator who died this month at 71, was eulogized in the Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday morning. Vice President JD Vance... - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- Meet the Republicans running in Michigans 34th Senate District - 9and10News.com - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- Republicans Senators Are Turning Todd Blanches Confirmation Fight Into an Anti-Abortion Free-For-All - Balls and Strikes - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- California Republicans ask Washington to kill the state's new insurer tax - Insurance Business - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- 4 Republicans Distance Themselves From House H-2A Reform Over Amnesty - DTN Progressive Farmer - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- Grassley is lobbying other Republicans to okay Blanche as attorney general - Sioux County Radio - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- Nothing nefarious? Bless Dave Boliek and NC Republicans cheating hearts | Opinion - Raleigh News & Observer - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- Why Trumps team is letting some Republicans distance themselves from him - MS NOW - July 28th, 2026 [July 28th, 2026]
- An amazing job: Many Republicans cant name a single thing Trump has done wrong - MS NOW - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- The Republicans Who Have Broken With Their Party to Support Limiting Trumps Iran War Powers - Time Magazine - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Some House Republicans defect to again pass resolution seeking to halt military action in Iran - PBS - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Congressional Republicans Say D.C. Shouldnt Be Allowed to Run Its Own Tax System - Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- House Republicans Question Future of Federal Broadband Programs - Broadband Breakfast - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- These are the Republicans who voted for the Iran war powers resolution - The Hill - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Arizona Republicans pick nominees Tuesday for governor and other top offices - PBS - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- NJ Republicans target two laws as they seek probe into non-citizen voting reveal - New Jersey Monitor - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Smithsonian too focused on 'oppressors and the oppressed,' say House Republicans - NPR - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- House Republicans pass hard-right defense bill, handing wins to Trump - Politico - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- All 15 Senate Republicans call for probe of voter registration failures - New Jersey Globe - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Republicans push Trump administration to extend TPS for Haitians as deadline nears - NBC 6 South Florida - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- House Republicans to write $95bn bill to fund Iran war and aid farmers | House of Representatives - The Guardian - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Why labor unions are sticking with two Pa. Republicans, even as control of the U.S. House hangs in the balance - Inquirer.com - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- House Republicans Focus on Democrats Plans, Not Their Own Wins - News of the United States - NOTUS - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Voter exhaustion could haunt Democrats and Republicans in the midterms - KJZZ - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- New poll shows Republicans losing their advantage over Democrats on immigration - MS NOW - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Extreme Candidates Have Cost Arizona Republicans a Bunch of Elections. Guess What the Plan Is for 2026? - Slate - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- House Republicans Pass Stock Trading Bill Tied to SAVE Act and Voter ID Measure - The New York Times - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- House Republicans Have Tied the Defense Policy Bill to Trumps SAVE Act - The New York Times - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- NJ Republicans say noncitizen voter problem is larger than governor disclosed - Gothamist - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- House Republicans vote to advance $95 billion spending bill. What happens next? - WESH - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Trump returns to Georgia with election claims, worrying some Republicans - Reuters - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Democrats and Republicans Want To Extend TPS for Afghans - Newsweek - July 24th, 2026 [July 24th, 2026]
- Poll: Costs Are the Top Health Care Issue for Voters in the Midterms, But Fraud Tops Republicans' List As Trump Administration Pushes Crackdown - KFF - July 18th, 2026 [July 18th, 2026]
- House Republicans unveil a $95 billion plan for the Iran war, farm aid and elections - AP News - July 18th, 2026 [July 18th, 2026]
- Where Republicans Cuts to Medicaid Could Cost Them - News of the United States - NOTUS - July 18th, 2026 [July 18th, 2026]
- Meet the Republicans running to be Michigans next governor - 9and10News.com - July 18th, 2026 [July 18th, 2026]
- Graham Is Gone and McConnell Is Out Where Does That Leave Republicans? | National News | U.S. News - U.S. News & World Report - July 18th, 2026 [July 18th, 2026]
- Republicans Want to Sanction Canada for Not Stopping Wildfire Smoke From Entering the US - Truthout - July 18th, 2026 [July 18th, 2026]
- Trumps Stuck in 2020 With Other Republicans Thinking About 2026 - Bloomberg Government News - July 18th, 2026 [July 18th, 2026]
- He sued the oil industry for $51B. Now he faces Republicans in a private grilling. - Politico - July 18th, 2026 [July 18th, 2026]
- Republicans are forging ahead with a plan for Trump's SAVE Act. Is it doomed? - USA Today - July 18th, 2026 [July 18th, 2026]