Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), whose reelection bid is looking a little tougher than expected thanks to the entrance of former gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi (R), is getting a little help from the country’s most famous Democrat.
According to the Seattle Times, President Obama will headline a fundraiser for Murray on August 17 — the same day as Washington’s primary — as part of his first presidential trip to Seattle.
Murray, first elected to the Senate in 1992, already has a large warchest to battle Rossi, the assumed Republican choice in the state’s “top 2” open primary system. In the last fundraising quarter, Murray reported $6.8 million on hand, putting her well ahead of Rossi’s reported $1.3 million.
Polls show the race to be close, however, and Republicans have repeatedly pointed to the race as a potiential pickup opportunity since Rossi got in. The TPM Poll Average shows the race to be essentially a dead heat, with Murray leading Rossi 45.5-44.8.
