The rematch between Democratic Christine Gregoire and Republican Dino Rossi in Washington State is one of the three most-competitive gubernatorial races this year (the others are in North Carolina and Missouri). Gregoire ended up on top by a tiny margin in 2004 after multiple ballot counts. This go-round, labor unions are playing aggressively in these and other statewide races with 527s and PACs. In Washington, a new $2.4 million union PAC supporting Gregoire seems likely to outspend pro-business groups supporting Rossi.
By the way, at the same time the union-funded independent expenditures are on the air, the Gregoire administration is negotiating state pay raises with the unions.