The 2013-in-review statewide campaign fundraising reports — due last week — tell very little about the fundraising picture for state superintendent.
And there’s a good reason for that. The fundraising reports run through Dec. 31. At year’s end, only incumbent state superintendent Tom Luna had named a campaign treasurer, a required step for raising money for a race. Republicans John Eynon and Randy Jensen and Democrat Jana Jones named campaign treasurers in January — too late to raise any money for 2013.
So the fundraising reports are a snapshot. With that as backdrop, here are some takeaways from fundraising for the final six months of 2013:
State superintendent
Luna. The Republican raised $23,500, leaving him with $44,226.66 cash on hand, but $24,500 in outstanding debt. Notable donors: $5,000 apiece from Melaleuca Inc. and Melaleuca CEO Frank VanderSloot; and $2,500 apiece from State Board of Education member Milford Terrell and his company, DeBest Plumbing.
Governor
Butch Otter, Republican. Raised 685,845.72, and has 708,065.87 on hand heading into 2014. Notable donors (2013 totals): Simplot, $10,000; Micron Technology, $7,500; Idaho Power, $5,000; CenturyLink, $5,000; Intermountain Gas, $5,000; Melaleuca, $5,000; VanderSloot, $5,000; Education Networks of America, $4,000; Wal-Mart, $3,500; DeBest Inc., $1,250. (For more about Otter’s donations from Nevada gaming interests, here’s a story from the Idaho Statesman’s Dan Popkey.)
Russ Fulcher, Republican. Raised $251,642.50. Fulcher has $199,335.83 on hand, but owes himself $100,000 in campaign loans. Notables: state Sen. Dean Mortimer, $500; state Sen. Steve Vick, $500; Felix Nuxoll, husband of state Sen. Sheryl Nuxoll, $1,000; state Rep. JoAn Wood, $100.
A.J. Balukoff, Democrat. Raised $110,860.35. Has $38,132.32 on hand, and $75,000 in campaign debt. Balukoff has made $90,000 in loans and in-kind contributions to his campaign. Notable donors include Bev Harad, former Boise School Board member, $5,000; and former Gov. Cecil Andrus, $1,000.
Pro-Life, independent. Raised $3,032, has $42 on hand.
Lieutenant governor
Brad Little, Republican. Raised $247,273.52; has $207,907.90 on hand. Among the notable 2013 donors: Micron, $3,500; Gary G. Michael, former Albertsons CEO, board member J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation, $300; Senate Education Committee Chairman John Goedde’s campaign fund, $250; Melaleuca, $250; Ryan Kerby, New Plymouth school superintendent, $100.
Jim Chmelik, Republican. Has announced his candidacy, but did not name a campaign treasurer until January.
Secretary of State
Lawerence Denney, Republican. Raised $33,748; has $13,968.16 on hand. Notable donors: House Majority Leader Mike Moyle, $500; House Education Committee Chairman Reed DeMordaunt’s campaign fund, $250.
Evan Frasure, Republican. Raised $13,250; has $5,227.29 on hand.
Phil McGrane, Republican. Raised $11,025.78; has $8,856.03 on hand. Notable: Ada County Clerk Chris Rich, $250.
Mitch Toryanski, Republican. Raised $4,150; has $1,907.01 on hand. Includes a $4,000 loan Toryanski made to his campaign.
Holli Woodings, Democrat. Has announced her candidacy, but did not name a campaign treasurer until January.
Controller
Brandon Woolf, Republican. Raised $26,370.36; has $50,237.08 on hand. Notables: Idaho Forest Group, $5,000; Hecla mining, $2.500.
Todd Hatfield, Republican. Raised $25,571.12; has $13,496.79 on hand. Notables: Felix Nuxoll $200; state Rep. Paul Shepherd, $50.
Disclosure: Idaho Education News is funded through a grant from the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation.
