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Dispatches from public radio's correspondent at the Washington Legislature. Austin Jenkins is the Olympia correspondent for the Northwest News Network. You can also see Austin on television as host of TVW's (the C–SPAN of Washington State) weekly public affairs program "Inside Olympia."

Inslee Launches First TV Ad; Bryant Raising Money To Hit The Air

Jay Inslee for Washington, Democrat
Screen grab from Washington Gov. Jay Inslee's new TV ad, ''Open for Business.''

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is on the air with his first TV ad of the general election. His Republican challenger Bill Bryant hopes to hit the airwaves soon -- but money is an issue.

Inslee’s ad is titled “Open for Business.” It features representatives from four Washington companies touting their role in the state’s economy.

But what stands out about the ad is what’s missing -- Inslee himself. You see him, but you never hear him. Even at the end.

In other words, this ad is not about introducing Inslee to voters, but about third party validation.

The Bryant campaign said its TV ads are ready and will go up soon. But a Bryant spokesman said they only have enough money on hand for one to two weeks of TV. So, the focus now is on raising what they need to fully fund their on-air campaign.

Inslee has raised around $8.5 million for his re-election efforts while Bryant has only raised only about $3 million.

Since January 2004, Austin Jenkins has been the Olympia-based political reporter for the Northwest News Network. In that position, Austin covers Northwest politics and public policy, as well as the Washington State Legislature. You can also see Austin on television as host of TVW's (the C–SPAN of Washington State) Emmy-nominated public affairs program "Inside Olympia."