King County Councilwoman Hague Leads Challengers in Fundraising

The primary election is on Tuesday, and King County Councilwoman Jane Hague for the chance to proceed to the general election in November.

So far, Hague has out-raised and outspent her three primary challengers combined.

She is being challenged by Port of Seattle Commissioner John W. Creighton of Kirkland; Richard E. Mitchell of Mercer Island, a King County Housing Authority Commissioner; and former Bellevue City Councilwoman Patsy Bonincontri.

Hague, who has been in office since 1994, has raised nearly $240,000 in in-kind and monetary contributions, which represents about half what she expects to spend, according to a questionnaire that she answered for Patch.

Mitchell, comes in second in terms of fundraising, bringing in $93,000 in campaign contributions. Mitchell and is an attorney trained in architecture and urban planning.

Creighton, a Kirkland attorney and a Port of Seattle Commissioner 2005, trails Mitchell's fundraising by $3,000, with $90,000 in contributions, according to the Washington Public Disclosure Commission.

Bonincontri, a business owner and trained architect who was named to the Bellevue City Council in 2008 but lost her seat to Councilman Kevin Wallace the following year, has raised $2,858, according to the Public Disclosure Commission.

The county council position makes $131,578 for 2011, according to the county.

Ballots are due to the county or to be postmarked by Tuesday Aug. 16.

-- Information from the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission

In their own words

Click to read the candidates' response to Patch questionnaire.