Two Democratic statewide candidates hold an edge in campaign cash on hand, heading into the final weeks of the fall election.
Attorney general’s candidate Tom Arkoosh and lieutenant governor’s candidate Terri Pickens Manweiler both have more money in the bank than their Republican opponents, Raul Labrador and Scott Bedke. Both Labrador and Bedke had to win hotly contested and costly Republican primaries in May — with Labrador unseating 20-year incumbent Lawrence Wasden.
But in the state superintendent’s race, Republican Debbie Critchfield enjoys a fundraising edge heading into election season. And incumbent Gov. Brad Little holds a huge advantage over his Democratic opponent.
Here’s a closer look at August campaign finance reports in four key statewide races.
Governor
Brad Little, Republican
August fundraising: $132,802. (For year, $1,083,622.)
August expenditures: $25,130. (For year, $1,985,639.)
Cash on hand: $287,729.
Outstanding debt: $600,000.
In August, the Republican incumbent received maximum $5,000 donations from Campo & Poole Distributing LLC, Ontario, Ore.; Campo Oil Co., Fruitland; Chevron Policy Government & Public Affairs, North Salt Lake, Utah; Coeur d’Alene Tribe; Hospital Corporation of America Idaho Good Government Fund, Caldwell; John Odom, Meridian; and Thiru Thangarathinam, Chandler, Ariz.
Stephen Heidt, Democrat
August fundraising: $2,728. (For year, $19,674.)
August expenditures: $2,343. (For year, $1,985,639.)
Cash on hand: $1,675.
Outstanding debt: $14,221.
Heidt’s largest donations, totaling $300, came from Kaycee Bryon of Idaho Falls.
Ammon Bundy, independent
No August report filed.
Superintendent of public instruction
Debbie Critchfield, Republican
August fundraising: $26,740. (For year, $218,317.)
August expenditures: $6,961. (For year, $303,029.)
Cash on hand: $59,751.
Outstanding debt: $6,950.
Critchfield received maximum $5,000 donations from David Gardner, Meridian; Travis Hawkes, Meridian; Todd Lindsey, Boise; and Todd and Cassy Lindsey, Boise.
Terry Gilbert, Democrat
August fundraising: $10,680. (For year, $55,862.)
August expenditures: $2,689. (For year, $11,165.)
Cash on hand: $44,696.
Outstanding debt: $0.
Gilbert’s largest donation, of $2,500, came from the Idaho Education Association.
Lieutenant governor
Scott Bedke, Republican
August fundraising: $59,697. (For year, $571,074)
August expenditures: $25,327. (For year, $824,018)
Cash on hand: $64,709.
Outstanding debt: $0.
Bedke received maximum $5,000 donations from Todd Lindsey, Boise; Melaleuca, Idaho Falls; Melaleuca CEO Frank Vandersloot, Idaho Falls; and Vandersloot’s wife, Belinda Vandersloot, Idaho Falls.
Terri Pickens Manweiler, Democrat
August fundraising: $18,179. (For year, $144,164)
August expenditures: $24,068. (For year, $113,712)
Cash on hand: $106,289.
Outstanding debt: $0.
Manweiler received $1,000 donations from Warren Fisher, Coeur d’Alene; Gillian Hearst, Corvallis, Ore.; and Benjamin Pursley, Boise.
Attorney general
Raul Labrador, Republican
August fundraising: $86,046. (For year, $481,503)
August expenditures: $15,959. (For year, $574,734)
Cash on hand: $147,982.
Outstanding debt: $0.
Labrador received maximum $5,000 donations from Mike Boren, Stanley; Stefan Gleason, Charlotte, N.C.; Idaho Automobile Dealers Association, Boise; Idaho Conservative Growth Fund, Athens, Ga.; Vicki Keen, Boise; Lamont Keen, Boise; Melaleuca, Idaho Falls; Belinda Vandersloot, Idaho Falls; Frank Vandersloot, Idaho Falls; and Charles White, Boise.
Tom Arkoosh, Democrat
August fundraising: $111,331. (For year, $196,405)
August expenditures: $9,005. (For year, $13,929)
Cash on hand: $182,476.
Outstanding debt: $0.
Arkoosh received maximum $5,000 donations from Ronald Craig, Eagle; Elissa Eva, Ketchum; and Cheryl Vickers, Huston.
