On the last-minute campaign cash front, A.J. Balukoff, the Democratic candidate for governor, had the biggest numbers today, not only collecting two more $1,000 contributions but also putting another $345,000 of his own money into his campaign. That brings him up above the $2 million mark for the personal funds he's put into his campaign for governor. Meanwhile, Gov. Butch Otter reported another $13,500 in major contributions, according to 48-hour notices filed with the Idaho Secretary of State’s office; that included $5,000 contributions from Hewlett-Packard Company PAC and from Marian Zubizareta of Boise. The other candidate with a 48-hour notice filed today was Democratic candidate for Secretary of State Holli Woodings, who reported $3,500 in new contributions, including $2,500 from the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.

Several new independent-expenditure notices also were filed today. The Idaho Realtors PAC reported spending $4,750 on literature, postage and advertising in support of Rep. Cindy Agidius, R-Moscow, who is locked in a tight rematch race with Democratic challenger Paulette Jordan, who lost to Agidius two years ago by just 123 votes.

Two PACs that were among several used two years ago for a controversial money-shuffling maneuver to underwrite unsuccessful efforts to defeat several Republican incumbents are also starting to shift money around again: GUN PAC reported spending $1,166 for literature on behalf of Rep. Thyra Stevenson, R-Lewiston, and transferring $2,000 to Free Enterprise PAC for advertising. Meanwhile, Free Enterprise PAC reported spending an identical amount, $1,166, on literature on behalf of Stevenson, and transferring $1,500 to Idaho Chooses Life for advertising.