Following the money

CHENEY — Incumbent Republicans are up for re-election against Democrat challengers in the race for both Position 1 and 2 in the House of Representatives in District 6, which covers the West Plains and portions of Spokane outside downtown.

Twice-incumbent Mike Volz is being challenged by first-time politician and middle school teacher Zack Zappone for Pos. 1, while incumbent Jenny Graham is facing Spokane attorney Tom McGarry for Pos. 2.

Following is a breakdown of the campaign donation totals each candidate has received since announcing their respective campaigns, including where the top donations came from and how many political action committees (PAC’s) the candidates accepted donations from within their top 45 donations. The numbers come as of Sept. 28.

UPDATE: After press time, the PDC website reported that Zappone and McGarry had each received a $75,000 contribution from the House Democratic Campaign Committee.

Mike Volz

Volz started his re-election campaign with a balance of $6,820.06 and has since received $63,000 in contributions for a total of $69,820.36.

Most of Volz’s donations come from businesses ($25,250) and PAC’s ($22,000). Other donations have come from individuals ($11,750) and unions ($3,000).

Top Business, PAC and Union Donations

The top donations Volz has received were $2,000 each, and came from eight businesses, PAC’s and unions, including Avista, Amazon, Kaiser Aluminum and Washington State Troopers PAC.

Fourteen businesses and organizations have also contributed at least $1,000 to Volz’s campaign, including Allstate Insurance, Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Chevron, Kalispel Tribe Economic Council, Microsoft, Phillips 66, Premera, STCU and USAA.

Six PAC’s have also contributed at least $1,000 to Volz’s campaign, including Washington State Auto Dealers, Washington Society of CPA’s and Washington State Dental.

Top Individual Donations

The top individual donations to Volz’s campaign have been $1,000 each: Lisa Bonnet, Douglas Harley, Cayla Snow and Scott Wetzel, all of Spokane. Five other individuals have donated at least $500, including County Commissioner Mary Kuney.

Zack Zappone

Zappone announced his candidacy May 18, 2020 with a starting balance of $0. Since then, he’s obtained $49,678.91 in contributions and $6,000 in loans for a total balance of $55,678.91.

Most of Zappone’s donations have been from individuals ($34,103.09). Unions ($5,500), PAC’s ($2,000) and the Democratic Darty ($1,441.62) have also contributed. Business donations have been a mere $140.

Top Organization, PAC and Union Donations

The Truman Fund made the largest donation to Zappone’s campaign, totaling $2,000. The Washington State Democrats contributed $1,441.62 of in kind services. “Small contributions” total $1,083.49.

Eight organizations, PAC’s and unions contributed at least $1,000 to Zappone’s campaign, including the Denny Heck for Congress campaign, the Washington Education Association PAC, the American Federation of Teachers Washington Cope and the Spokane Firefighter’s Union PAC.

Top Individual Donations

The top individual donation to Zappone’s campaign came from Joe Mancino of Brooklyn, New York, who contributed $1,500 in kind.

Seven individuals contributed at least $1,000 to Zappone’s campaign, including Mike Zappone of Medical Lake and Julie Zappone and Jenna Appleton, both of Federal Way, Wash. Nine other individuals have donated at least $500 to the campaign.

The Lisa Brown for Congress campaign also made a $500 donation.

Jenny Graham

Graham started her re-election campaign with a balance of $6,857.62. After raising $66,625.36 since her campaign began May 15, 2019, she sits at a total balance raised of $73,482.98.

Individual donations top Graham’s largest contributions by contributor ($24,312.08), followed by PAC’s ($21,950) and businesses ($16,382.78). $1,000 have come from unions.

Top Business, PAC and Union Donations

Five organizations and businesses have donated $2,000 to Graham’s campaign, including: Avista, Kaiser Aluminum and the Washington Affordable Housing Council.

Ten businesses and organizations have donated at least $1,000 to Graham’s campaign, including Phillips 66, Chevron Policy Government and Public Affairs, Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Puget Sound Energy, and Premera.

Eight PAC’s have donated at least $1,000 to Graham’s campaign, including Justice for All, The Boeing Company, Washington State Council of Firefighters Support Team and Washington Food Industry Association.

Top Individual Donations

Alice Spray of Spokane made the top individual donation to Graham’s campaign so far, contributing $1,500, with three others — all of Spokane — donating $1,250 each.

15 other individuals have donated at least $500 to Graham’s campaign.

Tom McGarry

McGarry announced his candidacy April 21, 2020, with a starting campaign balance of $253.67. He’s raised $46,008.34 in contributions and taken $6,000 in loans for a total of $52,262.01.

Individual donations make up the bulk of donations to McGarry’s campaign ($31,382). Other donations have come from PAC’s ($5,950), party ($1,839.21), unions ($1,500), businesses ($1,420) and caucus ($208.13).

McGarry is the top contributor to his own campaign, having donated $3,010.00.

Top Organization, PAC and Union Donations

The Harry Truman Fund donated $2,000 to McGarry’s campaign, while Washington State Democrats contributed $1,439.21.

The Kuhlman Office of Spokane and United Association Local #44 Segregated Fund donated $1,000 each to the campaign.

Top Individual Donations

Outside of McGarry’s own contribution, Shayne Davis of Spokane and John McGarry of Marysville, Kansas top the list of individual donations at $1,000 each. Seven other individuals have donated at least $500.

A complete list of contributions to candidates and candidate expenditures and loans can be found at pdc.wa.gov. District 6 House of Representative candidates can be found by entering an address within District 6.

UPDATE: After press time, the PDC website reported that Zappone and McGarry had each received a $75,000 contribution from the House Democratic Campaign Committee. This puts Zappone's balance at $133,028.91 and McGarry's balance at $133,171.59.

Drew Lawson can be reached at drew@cheneyfreepress.com.