Rossi camp says he leads in-state fundrace

Although Governor Chris Gregoire led the May fundraising battle between her and opponent Dino Rossi, $785,000 to $701,000 and the overall matchup $6.8 million to $5.15 million, the Rossi campaign is claiming that it has raised more money, both in May and throughout the campaign, from in-state individuals and businesses.

The Seattle Times' David Postman first reported this morning that Gregoire received $200,000 of her $785,000 in May from the state Democratic Party. Postman also notes that Gregoire has received $511,000 of the $2 million she has raised since officially beginning her campaign two months ago has come from the state party.

The Rossi campaign went a little further, and reminded everyone in a press release today that Gregoire has received a total of $695,704 from the Washington Democrats throughout her campaign, and that an additional $1,085,444 came from out of state contributors.

"Christine Gregoire has raised a lot of money for her campaign. Unfortunately a lot of it is coming from people she isn't elected to represent as governor," said Rossi spokesperson Jill Strait. "With over 26 percent of her campaign contributions coming from out-of-state special interests and state party checks, it's clear she does not have the type of grassroots support she claims."

Rossi's campaign has received $120,553 from out of state contributors and $40,000 from the Washington Republican Party.