Confident Chenoweth Low On Cash

Confident that Idaho’s populace is firmly in her camp, U.S. Rep. Helen Chenoweth isn’t concerned about her skimpy campaign war chest, she said Saturday.

Chenoweth was in Coeur d’Alene for an open house at her North Idaho office and a fundraiser at the Blackwell House.

She also held a town hall meeting in Kellogg and was scheduled to appear today at the Retired Officers Association conference in Post Falls.

Last weekend, she greeted about 200 people who showed up at a Bonners Ferry fund-raiser to contribute about $3,500 to her campaign.

But it will take many more such gatherings to catch up with her Democratic opponent Dan Williams’ $101,200 campaign fund.

According to Federal Election Commission reports from the first quarter of 1996, Chenoweth has only $20,000 in the bank, and owes herself $80,000.

“I’m not as concerned as one would think,” Chenoweth said Saturday as she met with a half-dozen constituents in her downtown Coeur d’Alene office. “I know more will come in.”

The difference between her finances and Williams’ extends beyond quantity, she said.

“Mine come mostly from Idaho people. His come from big labor, Hollywood and Sun Valley,” Chenoweth said. “It’s difficult to gauge the strength of a campaign just on polls and FEC reports. I have tremendously broad support.

“When we look at the number of people who have contributed, we’re in a healthy position.”

Chenoweth did raise more individual contributions than Williams, but has raised very little from political action committees and the Republican Party.

Chenoweth readily admitted that she suffers from “freshmanitis,” a reluctance to ask for money. Instead, she said, her energy is focused on legislative work.

All of Chenoweth’s campaign debts are paid off now except for what she owes herself, her staff said.

“She said the last person she’ll pay back is herself,” said staff member Heather Sawyer.

, DataTimes