Campaign cash figures are in for Coeur d'Alene

COEUR d'ALENE — If campaign contributions raised by Coeur d'Alene city council candidates were a measure of victory, Dan English would be cruising to victory.

English racked up $7,041 through Sept. 30. His money comes from 35 contributors, including $1,000 each from the Coeur d'Alene firefighters organization, Coeur d'Alene Police Officers Association, and Boise firefighters organization.

The other 32 contributors were individuals and couples throughout Kootenai County, but mostly Coeur d'Alene.

English, a former county clerk, Coeur d'Alene city councilman and Coeur d'Alene School Board member, reported he had a pledge for another $1,000 from the city employees association.

"I'm very gratified by the number of residents who have contributed to my campaign," English said Monday. "It's really meaningful to me to have that number of contributors."

English is taking on incumbent Steve Adams and another challenger, Bruce MacNeil.

Adams has raised $5,901, with $3,000 of that coming from his mother, father and brother.

Those family members each gave the maximum $1,000. He also received $1,000 from a retiree named David Lyons.

"He's just a concerned citizen who likes my politics," Adams said.

Brent Regan, a conservative political activist, donated $500 to Adams.

"The budget's looking good," Adams said.

MacNeil raised $20.

Longtime incumbent Ron Edinger raised $5,678. Like English, Edinger received $1,000 each from the Coeur d'Alene firefighters group, Boise firefighters and Coeur d'Alene police.

"It shows that they appreciate what I've done," Edinger said.

He received money from those groups in the past, too.

Edinger was the only candidate to receive money from Coeur d'Alene Mayor Steve Widmyer, who donated $500.

"I'd say with him giving me money that he's endorsing me," Edinger said. "He's also putting some (campaign) signs out for me."

Toby Schindelbeck, who is challenging Edinger, raised $1,620, including $500 from his mother and $500 from Regan.

"I'm not endorsed by any unions or big public groups like my opponent," Schindelbeck said. "I'm not going to be bought."

Incumbent Councilman Dan Gookin, who is running unopposed, raised $330.

The election is Nov. 3.