Candidates disclose campaign war chests

Kootenai County Commission candidate Todd Tondee so far has raised $3,314 more than commission Chairman Gus Johnson. Yet $5,000 of Tondee’s $13,464 war chest is a personal loan.

“I know to get the word out you need money,” said Tondee, a Post Falls city councilman.

Johnson, who is seeking a third term, has raised $10,150 since January. He said the money is mostly from friends, some of whom include developers and large landowners.

Three members of the well-known Jacklin grass seed family each gave Johnson $1,000, as did developer Stephen Ridenour. Johnson said he golfs with the Jacklins, who have donated money to every campaign of his since he was a city councilman. Ridenour is a church friend.

“Everyone makes a big thing that if they give money, you owe them a favor,” Johnson said. “That’s never been my case. There’s never been a string attached.”

Commissioner Katie Brodie raised $21,395, which is about $5,000 less than the record $26,380 she raised in the 2004 primary. She also received $3,000 from the Jacklin family.

Challenger Rich Piazza collected $8,309, including a $1,000 personal loan.

Piazza said Brodie’s large bank account doesn’t necessarily bode well with voters, especially after they see that so many developers, real estate agents and builders have contributed.

Brodie said most of her cash is from friends and that her finance report doesn’t mean she’s a single-issue pro development candidate.

Here’s what candidates are raising and spending in other races for state office:

Senate Dist. 3 – Sen. Mike Jorgenson, R-Hayden Lake, already had $13,114 in the bank for his campaign against former Sen. Kent Bailey, R-Hayden. Since January, Jorgenson raised an additional $4,727, of which $2,100 has come from political action committees.

Bailey has raised $3,745, of which $1,600 has come from political action committees.

So far, Jorgenson has spent $9,900, including repaying himself $1,500. Bailey has spent $2,211.

House Seat A, Dist. 3 – Rep. Jim Clark, R-Hayden, raised $10,594 including $762 that he already had in the bank in his bid against Hayden City councilwoman Jeri DeLange.

DeLange raised $6,072, including a $2,133 personal loan. Only one of her donations was from a political action committee.

Clark received six individual $1,000 donations, including from the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and Micron Technologies. DeLange’s largest contribution of $500 was from Dan and Linda Green of Rathdrum.

Clark spent $7,701 while DeLange used $4,163.

House Seat A, Dist. 3 – Rep. Phil Hart, R-Athol, raised $8,330 in his bid against former Rep. Wayne Meyer, R-Rathdrum. Yet Hart’s campaign still has an outstanding $7,774 personal loan from 2005. He received two $1,000 donations. Since January, he has spent $5,926, including money that went to a campaign manager.

Meyer raised $7,514, including a $4,000 loan. Of that, $2,000 came from political action committees. He has spent $3,484.

Lieutenant governor – The two candidates facing off for the Democratic nomination, former Congressman Larry LaRocco and college instructor Dan Romero, had wide differences in fundraising.

LaRocco has raised $37,478 in contributions, much of it from out-of-state individuals. His largest donation was $5,000 from a Washington, D.C., PAC, but he also got dozens of smaller contributions from individuals. He’s spent $8,710, mostly on brochures, printing and fundraising expenses.

Romero has raised $5,919, much of it from himself or family members, plus some small contributions from individuals. That amount included $1,178 in unitemized contributions under $50. Romero has spent $4,658, mostly for consulting, Web services and promotional items.

Idaho attorney general – Incumbent Republican Lawrence Wasden has raised $21,370 in contributions since Jan. 1, and had $27,091 in his campaign fund before that, for a total war chest of $48,461. He has spent $13,571.

GOP challenger Myron Dan Gabbert has raised $24,149 for his campaign, $22,800 of that in loans of his own funds. Gabbert has spent $25,064.

Superintendent of public instruction – In the three-way race for the GOP nomination for state superintendent of schools, Tom Luna has raised $73,617 for his campaign, including a $23,545 carryover from last year. Steve Smylie has raised $53,656 and Steve Casey has raised $19,335.

On the Democratic side, Bert Marley reported $50,850 in campaign fundraising, while Jana Jones reported $28,515.

State controller – In the GOP race for state controller, Royce Chigbrow had raised $27,520, but added a $20,000 last-minute infusion of family funds to bring his campaign funds to $47,520. Donna Jones has raised $10,513.

Democrat Jackie Groves Twilegar, who is unopposed in the primary election, reported raising just over $18,000.