George Fearing

Two of the state's Democratic challengers for U.S. House seats ended the month of July having raised more money than the Republican incumbent they are running against. And it's not the first time for either.

8th District Democrat Darcy Burner raised $350,837 in the month of July, much of it on the strength of a national ActBlue outreach after she and her family lost their home to a fire at the beginning of the month, more than triple that of Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Auburn) who brought in $115,474, the Times is reporting.

George Fearing, 4th District candidate for congress, with his son George: Politicker PhotoWith the end of June rapidly approaching, and with it the time limit for reporting monthly (for state offices) and second quarterly (for congressional races) fundraising figures, candidates across the state have appealed to their supporters for a last-minute surge in contributions to beef up their prospects for the coming home stretch.

On Wednesday night Governor Chris Gregoire sent out an e-mail to supporters asking for $50,000 by month's end. Her letter doubles to show up her new radio ad, and with it the campaign theme that Democrats are being attacked on two fronts, both by the Republican Party and their "special interest lobbyist" backers.

Two congressional candidates, Darcy Burner (D-Carnation) and George Fearing (D-Richland) , also got into the act.

SPOKANE -

Check out more images from the convention below the jump.

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels: Politicker Photo

At a time when man many candidates are appearing out of the blue, filing week, Wenatchee Democrat Don Moody has decided to go the other way. He announced this morning that he would drop his bid for U.S. Rep. Doc Hastings' (R-Pasco) seat in the 4th District.

Moody cited a lack of financial and party support in his decision. The Democrats have endorsed George Fearing (D-Richland) in the race.

Read Moody's full statement below the jump.

Other "safely Republican" districts have recently fallen to Democrats. Could central Washington's 4th Congressional District be next? Democratic challenger George Fearing is taking on incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Doc Hastings.

Don Moody (D-Wenatchee)When you don't have much money and you don't have the pulpit of incumbency it can be difficult to make your voice heard.  The simplest solution, for those in the underdog role, is to seek debates with one's opponent. Just ask Hillary Clinton as of February 5, 2008.

It is no different here in Washington. In the last week two Congressional challengers, Steve Beren (R-Seattle) and Don Moody (D-Wenatchee) have issued calls for a series of public debates with their opponents.

Eastern Washington added a second Democratic candidate in as many days yesterday when White Salmon businessman John Gotts called the Tri-City Herald to announce his run for Doc Hastings' seat in the 4th District.

Gotts told the Herald that he is a "very, very, very pro-business" Democrat who has gone back and forth between the two major parties in his adult life, voting for George W. Bush as recently as 2000 but now supports Barack Obama and American troop withdrawal from Iraq.

Two of Washington's contested House races saw some unusual figures when the 1st Quarter fundraising numbers were released yesterday. What was so unusual? The challenger outraised the incumbent.  read more »

George Fearing grew up the son of a preacher, and while his father's ministries took him all over the country, he always felt a connection to Eastern Washington. He spent much of his childhood in the region, went to college in Walla Walla, and returned to the Tri-Cities upon completion of his law degree in 1982. He has stayed there ever since.  read more »