House race heats up with finances

COEUR d'ALENE — The candidates for the District 4B House seat in Tuesday's election are among those in local races who lead the way with campaign contributions.

Paul Amador, who defeated fellow Coeur d'Alene Republican and current seat holder Kathleen Sims in the May primary, reported $52,172 in contributions. His opponent, Democrat Tom Hearn, reported $28,736.

"We believe our campaign message has resonated with voters and groups in Idaho," Amador said. "A lot of people believe in me as a candidate who brings a forward focus and they're excited to support that. That's a good sign for my campaign."

Amador said he figured he would receive a financial challenge from Hearn.

"Looking back at previous presidential elections, Democrat candidates in District 4 have raised between $20,000 and $30,000," he said. "I believe local Democrats also felt an opportunity in this race because there is not an incumbent involved. But we feel very good about where we stand because of all the hard work we put in."

Hearn said he's proud of the contributions toward his campaign because many come from small donors.

"Many of them are from within District 4, which is very important to me," Hearn said. "We have been working hard for many months so that we'd be competitive and we are. My contributions reflect support from individuals in the community. I'm humbled by it."

Amador reported $40,881 in expenditures, while Hearn reported $23,837.

Amador's top recent contributors include: Michael Amador, $2,000; North Idaho PAC, $1,500; Idaho Hospital Association PAC and Idaho Association of Realtors, $1,000 each; North Idaho Builders PAC, $800; and Eve Knudtsen, $750.

Hearn has received strong recent support from the Democrat Party, including $2,000 from the Kootenai County Democratic Central Committee, $1,500 from the Idaho Democratic Party and $1,000 from the Kootenai County Democratic Club.

Other major contributors included: $684 from Mary Lou Reed; $500 each from the Coeur d'Alene Tribe and International Brotherhood of Electricians Local Union No. 73; $356 from Doug Fagerness; and $250 from International Brotherhood of Electricians Local No. 77 PAC.

Tuesday was the deadline for candidates and their treasurers to file their seven-day pre-general campaign finance reports. The reports were for contributions and expenditures through Oct. 23. The total contribution amounts include both the primary and general election cycles.

Here's a look at the finance reports in the other races:

STATE LEGISLATURE

• Rep. Eric Redman, R-Athol and the District 2B incumbent, reported $29,137 in contributions and $16,461 in expenditures.

Redman has received strong support from business groups, including $500 each from the Idaho Association of Chiropractic Physicians, River City Hospice, Idaho Sugarbeet Growers Political Action Committee, Idaho Association of Realtors PAC, Idaho Medical PAC and Blue Cross of Idaho.

"I'm blessed to be endorsed by a lot of different organizations," Redman said. "That helps. I'm surprised that I've raised that much money."

Redman, who has a business background in the marina, real estate and insurance industries, serves on the Health and Welfare, Commerce and Human Resources and Local Government committees and believes those experiences have earned the trust of businesses.

Redman's challenger, Democrat Richard Kohles, who works in real estate, reported $3,080 in contributions and $2,980 in expenditures. The highest contributor listed in his report was the Kootenai County Democratic Club with $400.

After assisting with previous campaigns, Kohles said he has not tried to raise a lot of money.

"What is very clear is that in this district, two-thirds of the folks seem committed to Republicans," Kohles said. "The Democrats realizing that didn't recommend that we spend a lot of money."

• Rep. Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens, has a lead on his challenger for the District 2A seat with $26,429 in contributions. He has $15,875 in expenditures.

Kathy Kahn, a Democrat from Medimont, reported $15,066 in contributions and $15,374 in expenditures.

Barbieri's largest contributors have been: Mary Drennan, $1,500; Lister Frost Injury Lawyers and Idaho Association of Realtors, $1,000 each; and Avista, $600.

Kahn has received strong union support, including $1,000 from the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, $500 from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union No. 73 and $250 from IBEW Local 77 PAC.

• Rep. Luke Malek, R-Coeur d'Alene and the District 4A seat holder, has raised more year-to-date contributions than any other local candidate at $83,680. He has expended $86,546.

Malek's challenger, Patrick Mitchell of Coeur d'Alene, reported no contributions and expenditures.

Malek's largest contributors include: Idaho Loggers PAC, Idaho Sugarbeet Growers PAC and Idaho Medical PAC, $1,500 each; and Idaho Association of Realtors and Idaho Forest Group, $1,000 each.

• In the race for the District 4 Senate seat, challenger and Democrat Kristi Milan reported $19,618 in contributions for a narrow financial lead on incumbent Mary Souza, R-Coeur d'Alene, who reported $16,447.

Milan reported $11,494 in expenditures. Her top contributors have been: Kootenai County Democrats, $2,000; Idaho State Democratic Party, $1,500; Kootenai County Democratic Club and AFL-CIO State PAC, $1,000 each; and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and Political Action Committee for Education, $500 each.

Souza, who reported $6,597 in expenditures, reported a $1,000 contribution from Raul Labrador, $600 from Idaho Sugarbeet Growers and $500 each from Bart Davis, Idaho Conservative Growth Fund, Idaho Soft Drink PAC, Steve Vick and Avista.

KOOTENAI COUNTY

• In the race for sheriff, Republican incumbent Ben Wolfinger reported $8,924 in contributions and $8,265 in expenditures.

Democrat challenger Tina Kunishige reported $10,858 in total contributions and $10,371 in expenditures. However, most of her finances — more than $6,000 — has come with loans.

• In the race for the District 5 county commission seat currently held by Dan Green, Republican Bob Bingham reported $5,190 in contributions and $4,863 in expenditures. His recent contributors have included Steve Vick and Micheal Towan with $100 each.

Bingham's opponent, Russell McLain, an independent, reported no contributions or expenditures.

Green is not seeking re-election.

NORTH IDAHO

COLLEGE BOARD

In the race for the Zone 3 seat, challenger Greg Gfeller reported $6,679 in contributions and $4,977 in expenditures.

Top contributors were: Avista, $1,000; Empire Airlines, IBEW Local PAC 77 and Jim and Cyndie Hammond, $500 each.

An updated report for incumbent Todd Banducci was not posted on the county's website as of deadline Tuesday night and after the elections office had closed.