Rossi donors from '04 contribute to Gregoire

OLYMPIA — Gov. Christine Gregoire is stealing money from Republican Dino Rossi.

Well, not literally. But as of the beginning of this month, Gregoire had taken in nearly $160,000 from individuals, businesses and political-action committees that gave to Rossi — and not her — during the 2004 election.

While that's just a fraction of the $3.55 million Gregoire has raised for her 2008 campaign, it's a trend that must be at least a little worrisome for Rossi as he begins his second run for governor.

In 2004, despite being a newcomer to statewide politics, Rossi kept pace with Gregoire in fundraising.

But that will be harder to do this time around now that Gregoire has had three years as governor and wields the power to dramatically affect people's lives and livelihoods.

Take Colin Moseley, for instance.

Moseley is chairman of Green Diamond Resource and former chairman of the Washington Roundtable, an association made up executives from many of the state's biggest businesses. Like others in big business, Moseley praises Gregoire for focusing heavily on education and for pumping more money into road construction.

Aside from donating $2,700 to Rossi's 2004 campaign, Moseley also served on the Republican candidate's campaign-finance committee. But so far for 2008, he has given $2,800 to Gregoire and nothing to Rossi.

"I haven't decided what I'm doing with Dino yet," Moseley said last week.

Phil Bussey, vice president of Puget Sound Energy and former president of the Roundtable, gave nearly $1,500 to Rossi and nothing to Gregoire in 2004. So far for 2008, he's given $1,000 to Gregoire.

Then there's Cheri Marusa. A small-business owner from Cle Elum, Kittitas County, Marusa in recent years had given money only to Republicans. She donated nearly $700 to Rossi in 2004 and hosted a fundraiser for him.

But for 2008, Marusa has given only to Gregoire — nearly $1,400 in cash and in-kind contributions so far.

Marusa said she still thinks highly of Rossi, but added she has been disappointed at how "how silent he has been" since losing in 2004.

On the other hand, Marusa says she has been impressed with Gregoire's work as governor, especially her "efforts to traverse the Cascade Mountains."

"Her broad knowledge on issues specific to this area of the state is impressive," Marusa said.

Earlier this month, Marusa was named to Gregoire's newly formed Governor's Eastern Washington Advisory Council. Nine of the 16 people appointed to the volunteer panel gave money to Rossi in the 2004 campaign, and not to Gregoire.

The former chairman of the state Republican Party says it is inevitable that some of Rossi's 2004 supporters will switch to Gregoire, or at least give money to both campaigns.

"This is Politics 101," said Chris Vance, who now works as a political consultant. "There are a lot of people who have business with state government and they just flat-out need to contribute to the incumbent, even if their heart's in another place."

But Vance said it won't be a problem for Rossi. He predicted Rossi and Gregoire would easily surpass their record-shattering totals from 2004, when they raised more than $6 million apiece.

J. Vander Stoep, a Chehalis attorney and close political adviser to Rossi, said Gregoire's incumbent advantage is offset by the fact that she will have to face a challenger who already is well-known statewide.

During his 2004 campaign, it took Rossi nearly two months to raise his first $300,000. He raised more than that in the first week after announcing his 2008 candidacy last month.

However, of the more than $500,000 Rossi has raised thus far, it doesn't appear he has received any money from people who gave only to Gregoire in 2004. A handful of people have given to both sides.

Vander Stoep said he thinks Gregoire's campaign is specifically targeting Rossi's 2004 donors.

"I believe this governor has been quite systematic in contacting a lot of former Rossi donors and being very direct in saying, 'You need to get on my team now,' " Vander Stoep said.

As of Nov. 1, Gregoire had received campaign contributions from nearly 130 people who gave to Rossi and not her in 2004.

On top of that, she got donations from 54 businesses, PACs and interest groups that in 2004 gave more than $103,000 to Rossi, but nothing to her. The list includes Boeing, Weyerhaeuser, Safeco and several major pharmaceutical companies.

Gregoire's advisers deny pressuring those individuals and groups for money.

"We don't have a strategy laid out to go after Rossi supporters," said Gregoire aide Ron Judd.

"We have a strategy to go after folks — whether they're Democrat, Republican or independent — who think this governor is doing a good job."

In some cases, it's easy to see what's behind Gregoire's new-found support.

In 2005, during her first legislative session, Gregoire played a pivotal role in pushing through the biggest gas-tax increase and transportation-spending package in state history.

She also was a strong supporter of the multibillion-dollar regional roads-and-transit ballot measure that was rejected by voters earlier this month.

The list of former Rossi donors who are now backing Gregoire includes several people and businesses that stand to gain from a robust road-building program.

Tom Gaetz, executive director of the Washington Asphalt Paving Association, gave $2,700 to Rossi's campaign. But so far for 2008, he has given only to Gregoire — $2,800.

Gaetz didn't want to discuss his reasons for supporting Rossi over Gregoire in 2004.

"But I would say that we have found that Gov. Gregoire has been a tremendous supporter and asset to dealing with our transportation issues and needs," Gaetz said.

Leo Greenawalt, president of the Washington State Hospital Association, donated nearly $500 to Rossi in 2004, and nothing to Gregoire. This time around, however, he has given $1,500 to Gregoire.

Greenawalt said Gregoire has been straightforward and pragmatic in her efforts to solve problems with the health-care system.

In particular, he praised her for pushing to expand state-paid health coverage for children and said she is the first governor he has seen make a serious effort at reining in health-care costs.

And, unlike some past governors, Greenawalt said, Gregoire "has steered away from the big answers that everyone knows can't be implemented. ... It was a part of her I really hadn't had a chance to see before."

Ralph Thomas: 360-943-9882 or rthomas@seattletimes.com