Oregon Public Broadcasting

Cash continues to flow toward Washington's red-hot third district Congressional race. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has indicated it may spend more than half a million dollars for its preferred candidate.

The DCCC's move is something of a shot across the bow, in political terms. The Committee's chair, Congressman Chris Van Hollen, says he's reserved $650,000 for broadcast ads supporting Denny Heck.

He's the Democrat running for this coveted open seat. Republican Jaime Herrera is his opponent.

Herrera's well behind Heck in the money chase, even with a recent $180,000 ad buy on her behalf from the conservative group Americans for Prosperity.

Joanna Burgos is with the National Republican Campaign Committee. She says there's a lot more than money in play for this race.

Joanna Burgos: "Especially in a year like this, with the way the political environment is, I'd much rather have intensity and energy on my side than dollars."

Heck is a politically experienced businessman, best known for his involvement in Real Networks, and Washington's public affairs TV network. 

Herrera is a former state legislator, with experience as a Congressional staffer.