I don't have much in the way of specifics on the free events (if any) but here is the Steattle Times account:
http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=election22m&date=20050422&query=John+KerryDemocrats yesterday sent out invitations to a May 1 Seattle fund-raiser headlined by Kerry, the party's 2004 presidential nominee.
"We have started fund raising again very aggressively to pay for the field and legal operations for the rest of the case," Berendt said.
Kerry will be raising money for the state party's "Governor's Defense Fund." Tickets will cost $40 to $250 apiece.
While Gregoire has worked to distance herself from the party's legal work on her behalf, she is being billed as a "special guest" at the event.
Kerry has already helped Gregoire. In December he gave the party $250,000 of his leftover campaign funds to help pay for the hand recount.
Vance wouldn't say what plans Republicans have for fund raising but noted he hopes for help from national Republican groups.
In some ways, Kerry's concession to President Bush in November led to Gregoire's eventual victory in the recount. Gregoire has said Democrats from around the country donated money for a statewide recount in her race in part because they wanted her to fight rather than give up too early, as they believed Kerry did and former Vice President Al Gore had done in 2000.
"Some people feel that this governor's race hasn't ended and some people are wishing the presidential race ended in a different way, so I think it's interesting to bring Kerry and Gregoire together," said Ari Melber, who was deputy political director for Kerry's campaign in the state.
Berendt said Kerry's trip west "does make one wonder whether he is gearing up to run again."
Melber said it is way too early for people to focus on a 2008 presidential campaign.
"This is a trip that is about connecting with Democrats, talking about health care and helping Gov. Gregoire. John Kerry, especially in a blue state like Washington, can come into town, draw a crowd and raise money."
Kerry's visit will help the state party draw attention to the election challenge as the trial nears.