Light fundraising puts 15th on backburner

YAKIMA, Wash. -- A few months ago, the 15th Legislative District was pegged as a possible election battleground, but there have been no signs that either state party sees it as such now.

In theory, the midterm departure of Sunnyside Republican Dan Newhouse was going to bust things wide open.

Democratic leaders saw an opportunity to break a Republican stronghold in a district that encompasses the south end of Yakima County and a huge swath of south- central Washington. And Republican leaders talked about how they'd need to raise money to balance the coming Democratic fundraising onslaught.

More recently, though, Democratic and Republican officials have turned their sights toward the 16th District, the only other competitive race between the two parties this year. The top three candidates in that Walla Walla-area district already have raised more than $90,000.

In the 15th, Donicio Marichalar, who is challenging Newhouse's appointed replacement Rep. David Taylor, has not yet raised any money.

Taylor, a Moxee Republican, has about $15,000, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission. A third candidate, Democrat John Gotts of White Salmon, has dropped out of the race, although his name will still be on the ballot.

While they may not be the subject of a political money race, Marichalar and Taylor have firmly staked out their ground philosophically.

Taylor is for local control, small government and property rights. Marichalar is for curing social ills, increased education funding and giving a voice to the district's poor.

The 15th District encompasses all of Klickitat and Skamania counties, and parts of Yakima and Clark counties.