October 17, 2004 in Idaho

Democrats faring well in race for money

• Print
• Email
• Share

BOISE – The money race may not win elections, but it can provide an interesting glimpse into how campaigns are going.

For example: Democrats have outraised their Republican opponents in seven legislative races in North Idaho.

That’s interesting, because Democrats, who just 10 years ago held all but one of the Panhandle’s legislative seats, are now heavily outnumbered by Republicans in the North Idaho legislative delegation.

According to the latest campaign finance reports, here are the races:

“ In District 1, Democrat Steve Elgar has raised more than $56,000 for his campaign, compared with nearly $24,000 for Republican Eric Anderson and about $850 for Libertarian Frank Reichert. The three are facing off for the open seat created by the retirement of Rep. John Campbell, R-Sandpoint.

“ In District 2, prominent local Democrat George Currier has raised more than $17,425 for his campaign, including a $250 donation from Duane Hagadone’s influential Committee on Hospitality and Sports. That compares with incumbent GOP Rep. Dick Harwood’s $10,390 war chest, of which more than $3,500 was left over from previous years.

“ Also in District 2, Sen. Marti Calabretta, D-Osburn, has a small fund-raising edge over Republican challenger Joyce Broadsword. Calabretta’s campaign funds total $13,216, while Broadsword has raised $11,760.

“ In District 4, Coeur d’Alene City Attorney Mike Gridley defeated incumbent Rep. Bonnie Douglas, D-Coeur d’Alene, in the primary, and now he’s facing off with Republican Marge Chadderdon. As of the most recent report, Gridley had raised $27,821 to Chadderdon’s $19,593.

“ Also in District 4, Rep. George Sayler, D-Coeur d’Alene, reported raising $17,462 for his re-election bid, slightly more than GOP challenger Dan Yake’s $16,846.

“ In Moscow’s District 6, Democrat Mark Solomon has pulled in $14,313 for his campaign against GOP Rep. Tom Trail, who has raised $12,105.

“ Also in that district, Rep. Shirley Ringo, D-Moscow, has raised $21,939 to fight a challenge from Republican Earl Bennett, who’s raised $13,818.

To see North Idaho legislative candidates’ campaign finance reports on the Internet, go to www.idsos.state.id.us/elect/Finance/ 2004scan.htm and click on “Legislative Districts 1-13” under “2004 Reports.”

It’s all there – who gave, how much, and how the money’s been spent. As the election approaches, large, last-minute contributions will have to be reported within 48 hours. They’ll show up on the same Web site.

Lobbyists ante up

Legislative candidate Mike Jorgenson is unopposed in the general election, but his campaign finance report shows that he’s raised $4,347 since his victory in the three-way GOP primary contest for a Senate seat in District 3 – almost all of it from lobbyists or big business interests who lobby the Legislature.

Jorgenson’s post-victory contributors included Idaho Power Corp. ($500); Micron Technology ($400); R.J. Reynolds Tobacco ($200); and Boise lobbyists Jerry Deckard and Roger Sieber ($100 each). However, he still closed out the reporting period with a $2,317 campaign debt, according to his report.

Jorgenson raised a total of $30,423 in campaign funds this year, more than $15,000 of that his own money, to unseat Sen. Kent Bailey, R-Hayden. The three-way GOP primary also included former Sen. Clyde Boatright, R-Rathdrum, whom Bailey defeated two years ago.

Different candidate, same district, same story

It’s the same story for Phil Hart, who defeated Rep. Wayne Meyer, R-Rathdrum, in the GOP primary this year.

According to Hart’s campaign finance report, he’s received seven contributions of $200 or more from big businesses or groups that lobby the Legislature since his primary win, including Micron Technology ($300); Idaho Power ($250); Qwest ($200); and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco ($200).

Hart reported that his campaign still owes him more than $9,400.

Candidate forums

The Idaho Debates, sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Idaho and the Idaho Press Club, will feature 1st District GOP Rep. Butch Otter debating Democratic challenger Naomi Preston at 8 p.m. Oct. 24. The debate will be broadcast on Idaho Public Television and live on the Web at www.idahoptv.org.

Candidates for the North Idaho College Board of Trustees will participate in a forum at 6 p.m. Oct. 25 in the Lake Coeur d’Alene Room of the Edminster Student Union building at NIC. The public is invited. Two board positions are up for election in the Nov. 2 election.

Rolly Williams is unopposed for one; three candidates, Jim Hammond, Christie Wood and Tyler Allen Smith, are seeking the other.

No comments on this story so far. Add yours!