Just moved into a house that came with a relatively new GE Profile front load washer. The machine generates a persistent foul odor. i've tried bleach and the Affresh brand washer treatment with no luck. It seems like there is stagnant water somewhere creating the smell. What can I do to get rid of this smell? We've tried leaving the door open as much as possible to let it dry out.

Run a small load and put an entire small box of Baking Soda in the water and let it run through with just water and Baking Soda .. nothing else, this will start to kill the odor. Bleach will disinfect it but not get rid of the humid damp smell, like those in the hotels and motels in humid beach towns... Air is essential for high quality air in the home. If you have your doors and windows always shut in your laundry room, leave them open at least 2 times a day for the damp smell escape. The only reason front loads (which I have as well) generate smell is leaving wet laundry in them. To avoid it,
1)when laundry is done, put all the wet clothes to the dryer. Wipe the glass with a rag, and inside as well. This helps with hard water plugging the holes inside where water gets in the machine as well.
2) Also do not leave the door closed always. Keep it open until the inside dries, or do not keep it closed at all times. If you are living in a humid area, the excess water won't evaporate quickly and will make a damp almost a pre-mold smell.
3) For immediate result, run the machine in its shortest cycle or even rinse cycle with a little bit of fabric softner. Follow directions #1 and #2. It will get rid of it right away.