Green takes financial lead

Dan Green, a Kootenai County commissioner challenger for District 3, is easily financially outpacing all other county candidates running in Tuesday's primary election.

Green, seeking to oust incumbent Rich Piazza, reported $19,378.47 in contributions on his sunshine report and $17,780.84 in expenditures. Of the income, $7,400 was from loans.

Green's biggest contributors include: James Eisses and Michael Henkoski, $1,000 each; Robert Daugherty, $750; and Bill Robinette, Lorna Finman, Judith Eisses, Conda Mitchell and Ground Force Manufacturing, all $500.

Piazza reported $3,675 in contributions, including $1,000 in loans, and $3,408.41 in expenditures. His biggest contributors were Wayne Gianotti, $500; N.M. Cushman and Merritt Brothers, $300 each; and Jerry Rega, $250.

The other challenger, Kevin Ratigan, took out a $1,500 loan and reported $1,113 in expenditures.

In the three-way race for the commission's District 2 seat, challengers Chris Fillios and Jai Nelson are leading incumbent Rick Currie in contributions.

Fillios reported $9,347.75 in contributions and $9,279.04 in expenditures. His biggest donors were: Conda Mitchell, $575; Brent Regan and Hamid Wasti, $500 each; Nancy Currie, $450; and Norb Twillmann, $300.

Nelson had $7,238.99 in contributions and $6,755.91 in expenditures. Mike and Pam Henkoski gave $1,000 and Mary Brown, H.A. Wasti and Lorna Finman, all $500.

Currie reported $2,699 contributions and $2,619.70 expenditures. Contributions included those from Bruce Oliver, $500; Andy's Heating and Cooling, $300; and Robert Turnipseed and John Robideaux, $200 each. He also reported an in-kind contribution from Fightin' Creek for $1,000.

In the coroner four-way race to replace Robert West, Jody DeLuca Hissong reported $3,615 in contributions, Douglas Stafford $2,058.99, Debbie Wilkey $1,222.97 and Tom Cronin $948.45.

DeLuca Hissong took out a $3,000 loan and Stafford one for $2,058.99. All of Cronin's contributions were from himself. Wilkey reported in-kind contributions worth $850.97 from Forrest Muthersbaugh.

County clerk Dan English reported $2,599 in contributions and $789.39 in expenditures. Eighteen people have contributed either $50 or $100. English also took out a $750 loan.

Challenger Cliff Hayes has $603 in contributions and $100.70 in expenditures. Larry Gilman was Hayes' top contributor with $250.

Two incumbents, Assessor Mike McDowell and Treasurer Tom Malzahn, reported no contributions or expenditures.