The gubernatorial debate is tonight, for the candidates in the contested GOP primary, and there's some news in the race today: In the most recent quarter, Democratic candidate Keith Allred out-raised incumbent GOP Gov. Butch Otter. According to campaign finance reports filed today, Otter raised $193,339 in contributions from Jan. 1 to May 9, while Allred raised $241,278 in the same time period. Allred said in a news release that 90 percent of his contributions came from Idahoans and that he set a fundraising record for Democratic candidates for governor. "I'm particularly gratified at how many contributors we have from within Idaho," Allred said. "People from all across the state are saying they support our goal to make Idaho government by, for and of the people."

Otter, in his own campaign news release, said "thousands of people are stepping forward" to help his re-election campaign. His campaign manager, Debbie Field, said, "That reflects the compelling message that our campaign is able to deliver to voters throughout our state, and the hard work and dedication of our campaign staff and local volunteers in each of Idaho's 44 counties."

Among other candidates, Republican Rex Rammell reported raising $55,981 during the fundraising period and spending $43,219, including $1,000 for a giant, green inflatable T-Rex he's using as a campaign prop; and Republican Sharon Ullman reported raising just $2,333 in the fundraising period, including $1,878 that she donated to her own campaign. Democrat Lee Chaney reported raising $2,100, more than half of it his own money; anti-abortion activist Walter Bayes reported no contributions but putting $22,000 of his own money into his campaign, of which he's spent $20,610; and wig shop owner Tamara Wells of Post Falls reported no contributions, but spending $2,044 of her own money. Amateur comedian Ron "Pete" Peterson hadn't filed a report as of today's deadline.

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