So, who are the “Citizens for HJR 5”?

The group began fundraising on Sept. 30 of this year, according to campaign finance reports filed with the Idaho secretary of state. Its treasurer is Travis Hawkes, managing partner at Riverwood Strategies in Eagle, which also is consulting on the campaigns this year of U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo and U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson. The firm lists among its other clients the Sun Valley Film Festival, Marco Rubio, The Romney Group, Gardner Co., Butch Otter’s gubernatorial campaign, the Petroleum Association of Wyoming, and the campaign of Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead.

The “citizens” who have donated thus far consist almost entirely of elected officials, nearly all GOP members of the Idaho Legislature, and lobbying groups or large businesses that lobby the Idaho Legislature, including Idaho Power ($5,000), Simplot ($5,000), Idaho Association of Realtors ($5,000), Micron ($5,000) and the Idaho Dairymen’s Association ($5,000).

Forty-three sitting state lawmakers, 41 of them Republicans and two Democrats (Reps. Mark Nye and Elaine Smith of Pocatello), each anted up between $250 and $1,000/Betsy Russell, Eye on Boise. More here.

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