Chenoweth’s Campaign Cash Poor Representative Has Failed So Far To Attract Pac Contributions

One month from the primary election, U.S. Rep. Helen Chenoweth’s campaign has less than $20,000 in the bank and is more than $80,000 in debt.

Although Chenoweth has paid off her debts to others - the remaining debts are to the candidate herself - she spent far more than she raised in the first quarter of 1996, according to her new campaign finance report.

And the freshman representative’s failure to attract PAC contributions this quarter could mean the loss of a substantial portion of her potential campaign war chest.

Political action committees can give up to $5,000 each for the primary and general election, but if they don’t give by the primary, they’re limited to $5,000 for the year.

“If I were her campaign people, I’d be beginning to get a little concerned,” said Florence Heffron, a University of Idaho professor of political science and director of the university’s Bureau of Public Affairs Research. “They should have a major fund-raising effort in place by this point, and they should have a big war chest built up.”

Chenoweth’s Democratic opponent, Dan Williams, pulled in $31,200 in PAC contributions during the quarter, compared to Chenoweth’s $10,400. Williams also received $10,000 from political party committees; Chenoweth got only $310.

Both candidates drew hundreds of contributions from individual citizens. Williams’ individual contributions totaled $60,373; Chenoweth’s, $74,762.

Jim Gambrell, Chenoweth’s campaign manager, said of the campaign’s finances, “I would be less than honest if I didn’t have some concern with it, obviously, but it’s an area that I believe is being and can be resolved and gotten on top of.”

Williams, a Boise lawyer and aide to former Gov. Cecil Andrus, has $101,207 in the bank as he heads into the primary election.

“There’s a lot of interest in a lot of places in this race,” said Doug Dodson, Williams’ campaign manager. “People are starting to take more and more notice.”

That’s meant a few surprises, like singer Don Henley requesting information from the campaign. Henley, a former member of the Eagles, and his wife Sharon each sent Williams a check for $1,000.

Most of Williams’ contributions have come either from Idahoans or from traditionally Democratic PACs, including labor organizations and the trial lawyers’ association.

“We knew from the beginning this was going to be a hard race when it came to raising money,” Dodson said. “We knew we were going to have to work really hard at it, and we have.”

Heffron said some PACs may be steering clear of Chenoweth until questions about her campaign finances are settled.

The Idaho Democratic Party has filed complaints with the Federal Election Commission over payments by the campaign to Chenoweth’s own consulting firm, and over a loan that Chenoweth first reported as a personal loan to the campaign, then later acknowledged as an unsecured bank loan. After questions were raised, Chenoweth took out a second mortgage on her Boise home to replace that loan.

“I think at this point the PACs are a little leery of her,” Heffron said. “I would suspect at this point a lot of them are just playing a wait-and-see game to see if she manages to resolve past problems and past conflicts.”

Some PAC managers reached Tuesday in Washington, D.C., said they haven’t contributed to Chenoweth because she hasn’t asked.

“We haven’t received a request from her,” said Ruthann Geib, assistant treasurer of the American Sugarbeet Growers Association PAC. The group gave 2nd District Rep. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, $500 during the first quarter of 1996.

“I don’t think people are jumping ship or anything,” said Chandler Keys, vice president for congressional relations of the National Cattlemen’s Association PAC. His group also gave Crapo $500.

Keys said he thought Chenoweth might have a “case of the freshmanitis,” and said, “I honestly can’t remember her having a fund-raiser.”

Chenoweth’s report also notes that she settled a dispute with former aide Mike Duff through arbitration, and paid him $6,588. He had claimed that she owed him more than $17,000.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTORS Here are some of those who contributed to Helen Chenoweth’s campaign in 1996’s first quarter: Roland Almgren, Coeur d’Alene, $450; Frank Bennett, owner of Bennett Lumber, Moscow, $1,000; Trent Clark, director of communications for Monsanto Corp., Soda Springs, $1,000; Steve LaTourette, Coeur d’Alene, $500; Charles Lempesis, Post Falls, $1,000; Douglas Magnuson, Coeur d’Alene, $500; Patrick Malloy, Idaho Veneer Co., Post Falls, $1,000; William Reagan, Coeur d’Alene Resort general manager, $500; Kathy Sims, Coeur d’Alene, $250; Robert Templin, Post Falls, $260; Rocky Watson, Coeur d’Alene, $250; Steven Widmyer, Coeur d’Alene Resort controller, $500. Chenoweth also received two $1,000 contributions from Oregon timber company heads and two smaller donations from Oregon and Washington timber company managers. Here are some of those who contributed to Chenoweth’s challenger, Dan Williams, in the same period: Walt Minnick, Boise, $1,015; Elise Lufkin, Ketchum, $650; William C. Janss, Sun Valley, $250; Brian McColl, Eagle, $400; Nelle Tobias, McCall, $250; Marjorie Pigg, Boise, $240; Marc C. Johnson, Boise, $200; Louise Regelin, Moscow, $35; Mary Lou Reed, Coeur d’Alene, $110; Cliff J. SiJohn, Coeur d’Alene Tribe official, $100; Paul Collins, Boise physician, $1,000; LuAnne Hormel, Bliss, $1,000; Thomas D. Hormel, Ketchum, $1,000; Jay C. Hormel, Ketchum, $1,000; Peggy Grossman, Sun Valley, $2,000. Williams also received six $1,000 contributions from Southern California residents involved in the entertainment industry, including singer Don Henley.