Voter turnout looks good in Snohomish County, last minute money being spent.

As of yesterday, 71,598 voters, 18.9% of Snohomish County voters have already returned their ballots. The article also states that King County is averaging a little lower than expected, with 15.29% returned so far. “I think it is reflective of the excitement of this particular election,” said Snohomish County Auditor Carolyn Weikel. While the Senate race is state-wide, we'll have to watch and see if this strong trend from our home county continues across the rest of the state. Important of note: If past trends hold, Dino Rossi will need a very strong turnout on the east side of the state to offset what will most certainly be a strong advantage for Senator Murray in King County. Both Patty Murray and Dino Rossi carried Snohomish County in their respective 1994 races, Murray with 54.89% and Rossi with 49.88%.

As promised, Michelle Obama came to town on Monday to support Senator Murray. First Lady Michelle spoke at the Bellevue Hyatt to aprpoximately 1400 people who paid between $75-175 per person to attend. Later, she spoke at the home of Jeff Brotman, to 100 people who paid $7,500 each to attend. While we would have loved to attend and offer a first hand account of the private fundraiser, we we're not invited.

On the same day First lady Michelle came to town, Senator John McCain, someone who is notable for his stance against Federal earmarks, held a conference call with reporters in support of Mr. Rossi. McCain was on the call to support Rossi's stance that Senator Murray's "pork barrel" politics are not good for the taxpayer, with McCain calling Federal earmarks a "corrupt practice". Directed at Senator Murray, Rossi has stated in the past "I just don't think this is the year to be talking about port. What part of broke don't you understand"?

Certainly, one group that isn't broke is the independent expenditure groups that are participating in the Rossi-Murray Senate race. A recent Seattle Times article notes that there has been $12M in independent spending in this race. This is the 3rd highest Senate race for independent expenditures in this election cycle, with only Colorado and Pennsylvania being higher. Both the Democratic and Republican National Senatorial Committees have spent nearly $3M each in this hotly contested race. As we come closer to election day, don't expect the ads to get any nicer.