David Leroy took the news release route Thursday evening to tout his fundraising — and a couple of big-name endorsements in his run for Congress.
The former attorney general and lieutenant governor said he raised $114,004 in six weeks leading up to the June 30 federal reporting deadline.
That gives Leroy an early fundraising edge in the open Republican primary in Idaho’s 1st Congressional District. Former state Sen. Russell Fulcher raised $53,723 by the June 30 deadline. But Leroy and his wife Nancy contributed $50,000 of their own money to the campaign.
In his news release, Leroy announced three endorsements: former Gov. Phil Batt, former First Lady Patricia Kempthorne, and Boise attorney and lobbyist Roy Eiguren, who will serve as Leroy’s campaign co-chairman. On Monday, Fulcher announced a round of endorsements, including support from nearly two dozen GOP legislators.
The Federal Election Commission has not yet posted Leroy’s sunshine report on its website.
Fulcher’s June 30 report is public, however. Among the prominent donors on his list: former state superintendent Tom Luna (who donated $1,000); attorney and former 2nd Congressional District candidate Bryan Smith ($2,700); and Senate Education Committee Chairman Dean Mortimer ($500). Fulcher also received $2,000 from Greg Lowe, CEO of Syringa Networks, the vendor that successfully sued the state over the Idaho Education Network broadband contract.
Leroy and Fulcher are among the candidates looking to succeed 1st District incumbent Rep. Raul Labrador, who is running for governor.
