Paul Allen, Nick Hanauer pledge $1 million each to gun control initiative
They're not the biggest political contributions in the state's history, but they're up there.
Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen says he has written a million-dollar check for a gun-control initiative.
And Seattle venture capitalist Nick Hanauer says he's doing the same.
Read: What the Seattle City Council learned just two weeks before the head tax vote
The proposed ballot measure would raise the minimum age, as well as require safety training and background checks, to buy a military-style rifle in Washington state.
Other billionaires and businesses have spent more heavily to influence Washington voters.
The biggest single pulse of money into a Washington state election came seven years ago, when Costco wrote a check for nearly $9 million in its successful push to privatize liquor sales.
Read: 'We live in a jewel of a place that comes with wild risks'
-
John Ryan
Reporter
KUOW senior reporter John Ryan joined the station as its first full-time investigative reporter in 2009 and took on the environment beat in 2018. He focuses on climate change, energy, and the ecosystems of the Puget Sound region. He has also investigated toxic air pollution, landslides, failed cleanups, and money in politics for KUOW.
More stories from John Ryan »
