New campaign disclosure filings from A.J. Balukoff, the Boise Democrat running for governor of Idaho, show he started the year at a significant fundraising disadvantage compared to his Republican opponents.
Balukoff’s campaign reports raising $110,860 in December. It was the only month the campaign raised money, after Balukoff publicly announced his run December 3.
The largest chunk of fundraising was a $70,000 loan Balukoff personally made to his campaign. From others, the largest donation was $5,000. Former Democratic governor Cecil Andrus gave $500.
After expenses, the campaign ended the year with $38,132.
Balukoff is a businessman and serves as president of the Boise school board. He has considerable personal wealth, but is considered a long shot to win the November election in a state that’s one of the nation’s most conservative. The presumed Democratic nominee, Balukoff will face either incumbent Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter or Sen. Russ Fulcher, R-Meridian. Those two are squaring off in the GOP primary in May.
Otter this month reported raising nearly $700,000 in the last six months of 2013. His campaign reports ending the year with a balance of $708,065.
Fulcher’s campaign finance report is due Friday. Exact figures aren’t yet available, but his campaign says the Tea Party candidate raised more than $250,000 in 2013. Fulcher announced his run for governor in late November.
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