Challenger Outspending Incumbent Cda Mayoral Candidate Judy Raises Nearly $6,000

If money talks in politics, Steve Judy will be shouting.

The mayoral hopeful and political newcomer has raised more than $13 for every dollar incumbent Al Hassell has raised.

Judy has attracted $5,885 in contributions, according to reports filed at City Hall covering campaign transactions through Oct. 19. Judy, human resources director for North Idaho Immediate Care, has spent $5,737.

Hassell, a partner in an insurance and financial services firm, reported only $430 in donations and no expenditures.

He says he’s not surprised at the disparity.

“I haven’t asked for contributions at this point,” Hassell said. “I prefer not to have any strings attached to anything.

“If I don’t solicit them, I don’t have any special interests backing my campaign. I have a freer hand.”

This year, Hassell’s contributions have come from three sources - $200 from friends in Boise who once lived in Coeur d’Alene, $100 from the Idaho Life & Health Industry political action committee and $100 from M. Bernice Larson of Coeur d’Alene.

Judy’s contributors, in contrast, read like a Who’s Who of business people in Kootenai County. That’s not surprising because he was executive director of Concerned Businesses of North Idaho until days before announcing his candidacy.

At least 15 members of Concerned Businesses, from Knudtsen Chevrolet to Washington Water Power Co., Tom Addis, Bruce Cyr and Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty, have given $100 each to Judy’s campaign fund. The single largest donation is an in-kind contribution of $995 from Unique Printing, also a member of Concerned Businesses.

Silver Valley business magnate Harry Magnuson and his wife, Colleen, each gave Judy $100. The Committee to Elect Clyde Boatright, a state senator, donated $100, as did Idaho Rep. Jim Clark, R-Hayden.

Deanna Goodlander leads the six City Council candidates in both money raised and spent, according to the most recent reports.

The Coeur d’Alene businesswoman has gathered $1,720 in contributions.

She is the only candidate to record a contribution from the City of Coeur d’Alene Employees Union - $200. She also has received $500 from the Coeur d’Alene Association of Realtors.

Goodlander has spent $1,205.

Council veteran and civic volunteer Nancy Sue Wallace has raised $1,040, of which all but $40 came from her father, Robert W. Hufford.

Wallace has spent about $400.

Susan K. Servick, a Coeur d’Alene attorney appointed to the council in 1991, has raised $652. The largest chunk - $500 - came from her mother, Karmen Servick.

Servick has spent $581.

Manny Olvera has raised no money and spent just over $40. Hank Roseth has raised $50 and spent more than $600.

Independent logger Stan Smith has recorded $910 in contributions and $288 in expenditures. Some $200 of Smith’s money came from the Washington State Council of City and County Employees.

Council candidates must report the names of people who donate more than $50. Contributors may give only $1,000 to each candidate.

The next reports will be filed Nov. 14 - well after Tuesday’s election.

Raising the most money doesn’t automatically mean victory.

Hassell was buried in the fund-raising contest by incumbent Mayor Ray Stone in 1993. Stone raised $13,017, outspent Hassell 4 to 1 - and lost.

And Dan English, the top finisher in the 1993 council race, spent the least money of any of the winners.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 2 Color Photos