If campaign contributions are an indication, incumbent 24th District Rep. Jim Buck, R-Joyce, could be in for one of the toughest fights of his political career.
Buck is being challenged by Democrat Kevin Van De Wege of Sequim as he tries for a sixth, two-year term in Olympia.
The 24th District includes all of Clallam and Jefferson counties as well as part of Grays Harbor County.
In Buck’s three most recent elections he cruised to easy victories that were reflected in the difference in contributions. In fact, Buck’s three last opponents didn’t collect as much — combined — as Van De Wege has with nearly 2½ months before their Nov. 2 general election showdown.
The state House of Representative seat pays $33,556 annually.
Two other District 24 candidates are running unopposed. They are state Sen. Jim Hargrove, D-Hoquiam, and state Rep. Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam.
Van De Wege, during a telephone interview Friday, said his campaign contributions had reached the $53,000 mark, although filed reports show him just passing the $40,000 mark.
Buck received $119,590 in 2002 to $15,904 for Democrat Bill Thomas of Port Angeles, and garnered 60 percent of the vote.
In 2000, Buck gained 61 percent of the vote in defeating Patricia Slaten of Port Angeles. Buck received $95,419 in contributions, while Slaten got $15,108.
Contributions to Buck’s 1998 campaign totaled $78,707 as he defeated Hugh Haffner of Port Angeles with 58 percent of the vote. Haffner raised $12,587.
Buck and Diane Ellison combined to raise $254,000 during the 1996 election, with Buck coming away the winner with 37 percent of the votes.
Buck raised $134,000 in that election, to $120,219 for Ellison, of Hoquaim.
