Both gubernatorial campaigns—Democrat Jay Inslee's and Republican Rob McKenna's—sent out email blasts on Saturday.

With six months to go before election day, the emails—what they focus on, what they ask for—offer a handy compare and contrast.

There are certainly a lot of differences.

Inslee is asking for money ($3, specifically, to reach a $40,000 last-minute fundraising goal in a push for small donors). McKenna (or McKenna's campaign manager, Randy Pepple, in this case) is asking for volunteers to hit the precincts. (He's also asking for money—$5— but it's tied directly to the campaign's Saturday canvassing drive.)

Inslee takes note of McKenna—by name—and his fundraising. (Inslee leads McKenna in fundraising, but not by much—which is bad news for Inslee, given that McKenna hasn't been able to raise funds since December.) Inslee is not part of McKenna's letter.

McKenna's email gets his campaign slogan, "New Direction," in the pitch. Inslee talks about a "brighter, sustainable future," which is somewhat different from the "jobs" campaign soundbite he's been pushing.

Here are the letters.

It's Saturday. I just checked the weather reports around the state, and from what I'm seeing, I know the last thing you're thinking about is politics -- so I'll make this update quick and to the point.

Here's what you need to know:

• We have six months to share our message with millions of Washington voters.


• My opponent will likely raise at least $1 million before Monday's reporting deadline.


• I'm counting on you -- and thousands of donors and supporters like you -- to help us fund our campaign, match McKenna's millions, and build a working Washington.

So we're launching an aggressive $40,000 grassroots fundraising drive to show our momentum before Monday's midnight fundraising deadline. We need to make it -- and I need you to make it happen.

Will you contribute $3 to our campaign and help us reach our $40,000 goal before Monday at midnight?

I am in this race because I believe in Washington. The more I travel the state and hear from Washingtonians, the more convinced I am that we can build a bright, sustainable future together.

But first we have to win this campaign, and it's going to be a tough fight.

I know these end-of-month deadlines come hard, and they come fast. But together, we can make a big impact this April, and pave the way for another month of hard work. We can't do it without you. Will you make a contribution today?

Click here to contribute $3 to our campaign and help us reach our $40,000 goal before Monday at midnight.

Thanks for standing with us.

Very truly yours,

Jay Inslee

 

Team –

We all need you today.

Our first statewide volunteer event, “Super Saturday,” kicks off this morning and we need everyone’s help.

If you want to walk with a team in your area, it might not be too late. Click here to find your local meeting location.

Also, please become a sponsor of our volunteers to help offset the cost of supplies for Super Saturday.

Just see how far $5 - or whatever you can give - will go in making today a success:

www.RobMcKenna.org/SuperSaturday

It’s time for a New Direction for Washington State – join Team McKenna in going there!

– Randy

McKenna's campaign ended up knocking on more than 8,000 doors, with 307 volunteers in 30 counties across the state. And the email raised over $8,900 from folks who couldn’t make the doorbelling.