That said, Sawant has more individual donors from the district, with 602 donors to Banks’ 458 – Sawant leads Banks in overall donor count by about 1800. For a race that is clearly fascinating to moneyed interests, big-spending independent groups have not played a big role in it, beyond some mostly grassroots help for Sawant. More on this race’s donors will follow later in the guide. Clearly this is one people are very interested in.

Money’s Most Hated Candidate

In the at-large district occupied by council president Tim Burgess, money has mounted a shock and awe campaign against challenger Jon Grant to an almost comical degree. Burgess’ campaign has raised over $361k, to opponent Jon Grant’s roughly $62,000. If money were votes, this would be the biggest landslide in the city. The average cash gap in other races is a fourth that amount, around $75k.

Then there’s the independent expenditures, which only emphasize the lopsidedness of money in this race. United for Tim has raised more than $218k, mostly from the Seattle Chamber of Commerce and the Restaurant Association, but also from SEIU 775. Recently another IE named Seattle Needs Ethical Leaders popped up, which consultant Jason Bennett claimed would raise about $200k to help defeat Grant. That IE figured into in the alleged extortion scheme involving Grant and his former employers at the Tenants Union, which the Seattle Times revealed earlier this month. Time will tell whether that scandal smothers it out before it can get to work.

Candidates running against incumbents – Tammy Morales, Catherine Weatbrook, Grant, and Banks – all are raising less than their opponents. But if there's anyone that donors really want to lose, it's Grant. Burgess beats him in labor money, business money, and every category in between. Like Game of Thrones' Lord Tywin of House Lannister, Burgess and his allies are not content to simply best their foe in battle, but must smite him from the earth.

While we are not here to pick favorites, below we present a picture of Grant having a nice cupcake. Just look at him, people with money. Look upon the man you would destroy.