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In the horse race that can be political reporting, tracking candidate spending is like checking split times and the weather — it can at least give some indication of who might finish ahead come November.
But in the U.S. Congressional race for District 2, where self-proclaimed MAGA Republican Cody Hart is facing off against long-time Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, such a measuring stick is futile.
Hart confirmed to Cascadia Daily News in mid-September that he had not filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), which tracks candidate fundraising and spending. All candidates, including Hart, are required to register and file financial reports if they have raised, or spent, more than $5,000 on their campaign, according to the FEC.
“I have no intention of exceeding this amount,” Hart said. “I, as with most Americans, am tired of money controlling politics and enrichment being the focus of public servants and instead strive to focus on my constituent’s interests, government accountability and restoring honor to public service.”
He said his lean campaign was evidence that he can save millions of dollars while working within the political system, and accused incumbents, such as Larsen, of becoming beholden to special interests.
Larsen raised about $1.85 million this election cycle, according to his campaign’s quarterly report filed in August. More than half of his war chest has come from “Other Political Committees,” such as a political action committee (PAC).
Larsen, who has served District 2 since 2001, has a history of dominating the primary. He secured nearly 50% of votes earlier this year, building momentum ahead of the General Election.
He explained that his performance in the polls is directly linked to the hard work he puts in during campaign season from raising money to ringing doorbells.
“I will continue to raise money that I’m legally allowed to raise in order to ensure that I can continue working on the things I think are important for the people I represent,” Larsen told CDN. He noted that his efforts to help Democrats win the House back extends beyond his own re-election efforts.
While emphasizing the need to continue raising money, Larsen did say that he supported overturning Citizen United. The controversial Supreme Court ruling allows for unlimited election spending by corporations and labor unions, as well as paved the way for dark money influence — unreported giving to political efforts.
Larsen, who has helped to bring millions of federal dollars into the district in the form of major infrastructure development projects and tribal grants, serves as the lead Democrat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
“I am running for re-election so I can continue to work to protect reproductive freedom, combat fentanyl in our communities, build an economy that works for everyone, increase access to health care and support our veterans,” Larsen previously told CDN.
He emphasized the need for the Democrats to take the House in order to codify Roe v Wade, ensuring women throughout the country have access to abortion services. He also voiced his support for a bill that would create term limits for Supreme Court justices, who are currently appointed for life, and advocated for legislation that would establish a code of ethics for the justices.
“Since there are no rules for Supreme Court justices, there are no punishments,” Larsen said.
This was the third time Hart ran in the District 2 primary and the first time he’s made it through. The MAGA Republican’s popularity has steadily increased since he first ran in 2020.
“I believe a vast majority of voters in District 2, from every group, are consolidated around my positions on securing our nation’s borders, economic reform, veteran support, government accountability, rebuilding the middle class and biological girls rights, to name a few,” Hart said.
Hart secured nearly 20% of the votes cast in the 2024 primary election, where more than 39% of the ballots cast were spread among four conservative candidates. Even if Hart is able to consolidate the Republican votes behind him, he will still need to siphon off more than 10% of moderate voters from Larsen’s campaign.
Nonetheless, Larsen said that he continues to campaign because he doesn’t take any vote for granted.
Isaac Stone Simonelli is CDN’s enterprise/investigations reporter; reach him at isaacsimonelli@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 127.
