Harris funds get strong start

Three-term Spokane County Commissioner Phil Harris jump-started his re-election campaign last month with more than $41,000 in campaign contributions, much of it coming from people or businesses that ask the county for changes in zoning or property use.

Harris collected the bulk of his money to date at a campaign breakfast in January where many of the $1,000 tickets were purchased by people in the building and land development industries. The Board of County Commissioners rules on appeals of zoning changes from the Planning Commission.

Harris, a Republican, said the contributions are a recognition that he makes good decisions, not a sign that he’s for sale.

“I think that people are giving to me because I’m giving them a fair hearing. They can trust me to make a right decision when the time comes, although not necessarily in their favor,” he said. “Nobody can ever buy me. I don’t give special favors.”

The contributions are legal; there are no limits to campaign giving or spending in local races.

“If it’s honest and it’s clean money … you take it so you can help people who can’t afford to give,” Harris said.

Joel White, executive officer of the Spokane Home Builders Association, which gave $1,500 to Harris’s campaign, said that group is supporting Harris as it has in past campaigns, but not because of any particular vote or decision.

“Phil has been a longtime advocate for affordable housing in our community,” White said.

Two casino owners, including one who had asked the county to waive penalties on an unpaid tax bill, also contributed $1,000 each.

Harris’ campaign reports were filed with the Public Disclosure Commission late last week, but because of errors by a former staff member, they actually show him with nearly twice as much money as he’s actually raised. He raised $41,050 in January and has raised $2,000 thus far in February, his treasurer Dick Kunz said.

Correct reports will be filed by the end of the week, Harris said.

The fact that the bulk of his contributions are from the development community is temporary, Harris said, because he started the campaign with the $1,000-per-plate breakfast attended by about 40 supporters. He has a $30-per-plate breakfast scheduled for this week.

“I wanted to send a message that as much as Phil Harris has been beat on by people, Phil Harris can still get money and run for office,” he said. A large campaign bank account might intimidate or discourage potential opponents, he added.

George Orr, a former Democratic legislator who filed late last week for Harris’s job, said he’s not intimidated.

“He’ll huff and puff and buy a bunch of media,” Orr said. “He’s got some baggage.”

Orr said he loaned his campaign $1,000 to start operations and plans to “get out there and talk to people.”