Gov. Brad Little is far and away leading the fundraising battle for this year’s primary election.
Final totals for each candidate’s fundraising efforts in 2021 aren’t yet available, but high-dollar donations must be reported within 48-hours. Final reports, which include all donations of less than $1,000, are due to the Idaho Secretary of State’s office by Monday.
Adding up donations of more than $1,000, Little raised nearly $1.1 million in cash last year.
That’s five times more than his closest opponent, Ed Humphreys, who’s a financial advisor from Eagle.
Humphreys is a political newcomer and has received nearly $180,000 in contributions.
Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin took in about $135,000.
Meanwhile, anti-government activist Ammon Bundy has raised $56,000 in cash, followed by Bonner County Commissioner Steven Bradshaw with $43,000.
All are seeking the Republican nomination for governor.
On the Democratic side, donors gave Sandpoint Mayor Shelby Rognstad $55,000.
In the race for attorney general, incumbent Lawrence Wasden is far behind challenger, and former U.S. Representative Raul Labrador in fundraising.
Labrador secured more than $250,000 in 2021, while Wasden only raised about $42,000 during that time.
The showdown between current House Speaker Scott Bedke (R-Oakley) and state Rep. Priscilla Giddings (R-White Bird) in the GOP primary for lieutenant governor show a closer race.
Bedke raised nearly $275,000 last year, compared to Giddings’ $157,000.
Democrat Terri Pickens Manweiler has raised $52,000 in her bid for the lieutenant governor’s office.
The tightest race at this point is for Idaho Secretary of State. Current Secretary of State Lawerence Denney isn’t seeking re-election and three Republicans are vying to replace him.
Ada County Clerk Phil McGrane leads the pack with nearly $74,000. State Rep. Dorothy Moon (R-Stanley) isn’t far behind with more than $60,000 and state Sen. Mary Souza (R-Coeur d’Alene) has raised about $55,000.
No Democrat has yet filed to run for the position, which oversees Idaho’s campaign finance, business registration and lobbyist reporting systems.
Follow James Dawson on Twitter @RadioDawson for more local news.
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