Debbie Critchfield self-reported a campaign milestone Thursday, saying she has raised $150,000 for her Republican campaign for state schools superintendent.
“Everywhere I travel, I hear the same message: people are ready for change, and they are ready for a new educational leader,” the former State Board of Education president said in a news release.
Candidates don’t have to report all of their contributions to the state until the end of the year. But they do have to report contributions of at least $1,000 within 48 hours.
Those “48-hour” reports indicate Critchfield has maintained a big lead in fundraising.
Critchfield has reported $125,500 in large contributions this year. Recent donors include Ahlquist Development LLC, the business arm of former gubernatorial candidate Tommy Ahlquist; former Senate Education Committee chairman John Goedde; and the Idaho Land Fund.
GOP Incumbent Sherri Ybarra, who has not yet announced her 2022 election plans, has reported $11,000 in large contributions. She has received $1,000 from former state Sen. Jeff Siddoway of Terreton.
Branden Durst — a former Democratic legislator now running on the Republican ticket — has reported $7,500 in contributions.
Disclosure: J.B. Scott — the founding chairman of the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation, which funds Idaho Education News — is affiliated with the Idaho Land Fund.
