As of today, Progressive Majority director Noel Frame has reported $26,323 in contributions for her campaign to represent the 36th District, narrowly edging past Gael Tarleton, the Port of Seattle commissioner who came out of the gate last month with nearly $20,000 in contributions. Tarleton's has raised $25,076. But a couple caveats: Tarleton's reported contributions to the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission run only through March 31, whereas Frame's include the following week, in which she raised about $2,600.

It's not a big difference (even when Tarleton was narrowly ahead at the end of last month), but being one of two leaders in the fundraising horse race helps position Frame as a front runner.

The other candidates in the crowded field to replace Representative Mary Lou Dickerson are thousands of dollars behind. The closest is Brett Phillips, with $18,520 as of the end of last month, followed by Sahar Fathi, the Seattle City Council aide with $8,150. Evan Clifthorn has reported $5,458.76 and Progressive Party activist Linde Knighton has reported only $901.

(PSSSSSSSST — Money isn't everything. Dickerson and I will moderate a forum with all the candidates next Monday at 6:30 pm at Spitfire in Belltown, where they'll show you their smarts. It's free! Here are the details. )

UPDATE: Tarleton's campaign has e-mailed The Stranger with their updates so far in April (which haven't yet been reported to the state), raising $3,150 this month, and giving Tarleton the edge with $28,226. Meanwhile, Phillips's campaign has e-mailed to say that he's raised a total of $22,836 through today.