Legislature races show that money can't buy everything

If you ever feel depressed about our political system, dismayed by the growing influence of money, and PACs and Super PACs, remember the 27th District state Senate race of 2012.

Tacoma trial lawyer Jack Connelly raised some $1.1 million for that just-concluded race — including $988,383 of his own money — and got 42.7 percent of the vote, according to the latest tally.

In other words, he raised $46.38 for each of the roughly 23,000 votes he received. And he lost — to longtime state Rep. Jeannie Darneille, a fellow Democrat.