As Slog readers know, the August 19 primary includes two seriously contested races for the state legislature—the 36th district, encompassing Ballard, Queen Anne, and Magnolia, and the 46th, which spans much of North Seattle. In each race, one candidate is attempting to paint the other as an “establishment” candidate beholden to big-business and lobby interests, and the other is trying to portray himself as an energetic young up-and-comer running against a tired relic of old Seattle.

It’s been interesting to watch the tactics of the two candidates in the former camp—John Burbank and Gerry Pollet, in the 36th and 46th, respectively—evolve. Each candidate began by portraying himself as the populist underdog in his race, refusing corporate contributions and demanding that his opponent accept contribution limits; but while Pollet has continued to run his class-warfare campaign, Burbank has all but abandoned that approach. Consider these two press releases sent out by the Pollet and Burbank campaigns, respectively, over the past week (edited for length as noted).

Pollet’s:

Grassroots Support - Not Special Interest Corporate PAC Money

Dear friends,

Thank you again for your support and for making this a truly grassroots campaign. I am proud that my campaign has your support, and the support of so many other residents of the 46th District.

There is a clear difference in who supports this campaign and that of my opponent.

According to the Public Disclosure reports, since the beginning of June over 70 voters who live here in the district contributed to our campaign, compared to only 11 for my opponent. Yes, eleven. (All data from PDC filings are available on line.)

And among my donors, you will not find timber companies, the fireworks manufacturer’s PAC, drug companies, or lobbyists representing the Maury Island gravel mine.

Because of my belief in campaign finance reform, I do not accept such special-interest corporate contributions, or money from their PACs.

My opponent, on the other hand, has received large maximum-allowable contributions from special interests and corporations, including Weyerhaeuser, and PACs for developers and the beverage and restaurant industry. And he’s taken fireworks money whose agenda is expanding individual sales and defeating safety restrictions. […]

Thank you for your commitment and support.

Sincerely,

Gerry

And Burbank’s:

Burbank Raises More Than Double of All Other Opponents in June; Trend Continues in July. […] Seattle, WA – John Burbank’s campaign announced today that it had raised over $42,600 in June, more than double any other candidate in the race. This is the second month in a row that Burbank has out-raised all other candidates in the race. This trend is continuing in July, with Burbank having raised another $10,000 as of July 16 and his competitors having raised less than $3,000 for the month combined. “I am very gratified by this outpouring of support for our campaign for public service,” said John Burbank. “It just shows how much voters want real change in Olympia and they see my proven experience as the best guarantee for working for our future and delivering results.”

Pollet is running against former 46th District Democratic chair Scott White for the seat formerly occupied by Jim McIntire, who is running for state treasurer; Burbank is running against software entrepreneur Reuven Carlyle for the seat formerly held by Helen Sommers, who is retiring after 36th years in office.