Since I dissed on a State Democratic Party press release last week, let me praise one today.

Last week, I slogged about Norm Maleng’s $194K campaign war chest—asking if the GOP would funnel it to GOP candidate Dan Satterberg ….

Maleng left behind quite a campaign war chest of his own. The question is: What’s going to become of that war chest. There’s talk that it may go to the state GOP—and then get funneled back to Satterberg. Given Maleng’s history of donating, I think it oughta go to the Mainstream Republicans of Washington, something I’m not sure Satterberg is.

Well, the Washington State Democrats picked up on that question today, sending out a press release to head off any GOP shenanigans. I’ve linked the whole thing below, but here’s the crux of it:

Under state law, it is illegal to transfer so-called “surplus” campaign funds – the money left over after retirement, loss, or death – from one candidate’s accounts directly to that of another candidate. It is, however, legal to donate to charity, or to a party organization — but if the funds do go to a political party, any quid pro quo understanding that the funds will then be donated to or spent in support a particular candidate would run afoul of Washington State’s campaign finance laws.

In the case of the prosecutor’s race, State Democratic Party Chairman Dwight Pelz says that if large amounts of cash from Maleng’s campaign coffers are funneled through the Republican Party back to the GOP nominee for the position, Republican Dan Satterberg – as some Satterberg backers have been whispering is likely – it would be tantamount to the sort of illegal and unethical political money laundering that Republicans have become known for on the national level.

p.s. The Mainstream Republicans of Washington called me yesterday to let me know they couldn’t take the money (rules prevent a PAC from taking surplus funds). They also let me know they endorsed Satterberg, who they consider a moderate.

Will Maleng's war chest get laundered into the GOP hitmachine?
SEATTLE – Top Democrats today responded to widespread rumors that the Republican Party is planning to funnel the $194,000 remaining in the campaign coffers of late King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng into partisan attacks intended to influence the special election this fall to name Maleng's replacement.

Under state law, it is illegal to transfer so-called "surplus" campaign funds – the money left over after retirement, loss, or death – from one candidate’s accounts directly to that of another candidate. It is, however, legal to donate to charity, or to a party organization — but if the funds do go to a political party, any quid pro quo understanding that the funds will then be donated to or spent in support a particular candidate would run afoul of Washington State's campaign finance laws.

In the case of the prosecutor's race, State Democratic Party Chairman Dwight Pelz says that if large amounts of cash from Maleng's campaign coffers are funneled through the Republican Party back to the GOP nominee for the position, Republican Dan Satterberg – as some Satterberg backers have been whispering is likely – it would be tantamount to the sort of illegal and unethical political money laundering that Republicans have become known for on the national level.

"A fair minded leader like Norm Maleng should not have his campaign cash laundered through a Tom Delay-style money machine," said Pelz, who worked with Maleng during his eight years on the King County Council. "Out of respect for Maleng’s legacy, that money should rightfully go to charity, not to fund attack ads or earmarked to help anoint a partisan replacement."

Maleng, whose mark on the office — and secret to political longevity in Democratic King County — was a commitment to high ethical standards and long-standing determination to avoid overly partisan political statements, would be offended by such an ethically dubious, potentially illegal partisan maneuver, believes Pelz.

"Maleng put people before politics, so why sully that legacy by writing a six figure check to the party of George Bush and Karl Rove," said Pelz. "Dan Satterberg needs to stand up to his Republican handlers like two-time Bush-Cheney Washington State chair Mike McKay. If Satterberg were truly committed to his boss' legacy he would demand that the money go to charity."

Pelz said he and others would keep a close eye on where the money moves over the coming weeks.