Election 2012

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jay Inslee reported Monday that he raised nearly $574,000 in cash contributions for the month of May, about half of what his Republican opponent, Attorney General Rob McKenna, raised during that same timeframe.

In filings with the state Public Disclosure Commission, Inslee tallied $573,763 in cash, plus more than $43,000 in in-kind contributions like catering and yard signs. Inslee, a former congressman, has $3.4 million cash on hand entering the month of June.

On Friday, McKenna reported that he raised nearly $1.2 million in cash, plus $23,000 in in-kind contributions, and that he had $3.2 million cash on hand.

May was the first full month McKenna was able to fundraise after spending much of the previous few months in a freeze.

Sitting state officials face strict rules about collecting donations while the Legislature is in session, so McKenna had largely been prevented from fundraising from November until the Legislature adjourned a second special session in mid-April.

Inslee and McKenna are vying to replace Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire, who is not running for a third term.

McKenna was endorsed Monday by the Public School Employees of Washington, a state union representing public school employees. The state's largest teacher union, the Washington Education Association, has endorsed Inslee.

Earlier in the day, McKenna held a news conference announcing the support of some conservative Democrats, including state Auditor Brian Sonntag and state Sen. Tim Sheldon.