Election fund raising efforts in full swing

MAT-SU -- In the Valley's largest political race, that for the newly created Greater Palmer area House District 13 seat, it appears former Mat-Su Borough Assembly member Jim Turner has the lead in earnings.

According to the Alaska Public Offices Commission's 30-day candidate report filed last week, Turner, one of four Republicans in the race, has a total income of $13,468. Not far behind is independent competitor and current assembly member Jim Colver, who has brought in a total income of $13,200, although $5,250 of that came from his pocket. Taking home the distinction of having the largest amount of money flow through his campaign with the fewest outside contributors is current Mat-Su School Board member Carl Gatto. Gatto, according to his report of individual contributors, shuffled nearly $25,000 to his campaign account, more than $17,000 of which was spent by the filing deadline for the 30-day report.

Leading the pack in under-$100 contributors in that race is Republican Nancy Campbell. Campbell claimed 39 contributors, with an aggregate total of just over $2,600. Turner, however, brought in more money with his 38 contributors. Their contributions total nearly $3,000.

The designation of the most money collected in any race across the Valley would have to go to Valdez candidate Gregory Scott Smith, a Republican who claimed a starting balance of nearly $28,000. His total income, as listed on the 30-day report, was nearly $35,000, a considerable lead over opponent John Harris, also a Republican. Harris listed a starting balance of nearly $4,700, with an added $2,653 claimed on the report, resulting in more than $7,300 raised. District 12, the seat Harris and Smith are vying for, would represent much of the Richardson Highway area, including a portion of eastern Mat-Su.

In the race for the Wasilla-area House District 13 seat, incumbent Republican Vic Kohring enjoys a considerable lead in funds raised over independent candidate Peter Burchell. Kohring, on his report, listed a total income of more than $14,500, while Burchell listed a total income of nearly $3,800.

Farther north, House District 15 incumbent Republican Beverly Masek appears to be making little effort in the race. Although she carried over a balance of more than $3,000, she listed no expenses and only holds one debt -- $100 for campaign signs. The other two candidates in the race, Republican Doyle Holmes and Democrat Kay Bills, seem to be taking a more active role in the race. Holmes leads the money race with a total income of more than $10,300, although $10,000 of that came from his own pocket. But for these two candidates it seems to be largely an out-of-pocket race. Of the nearly $2,700 raised by Bills, almost $2,600 came from her own funds.

In the race for Mat-Su's two Senate seats, Republican incumbent Lyda Green is, according to the 30-day report, the most effective fund raiser.

Green listed nearly $40,000 in carryover funds from the previous reporting deadline and raised nearly $15,000 in addition, leaving her with a total income of more than $55,000. Green's opponent, Democrat James Della Silva, filed exempt in the race, indicating he would not raise more than $2,500.

In the new Senate district tying Mat-Su with the North Pole area, incumbent Republican Gene Therriault claims a considerable lead in fund raising over Sutton Alaskan Independence candidate Trac Copher. Therriault listed a starting balance of more than $28,000 and added more than $4,000 to that number, leaving him with a balance of more than $32,000. Copher has raised more than $1,000, of which almost $400 came from his own pocket.

In the Senate District H race to represent Valley residents from the Lazy Mountain, Butte, Eklutna and Chugiak area, Republican Scott Ogan is leading with nearly $20,000 in earnings. His opponent, Chugiak resident and Republican Joe Caswell, has raised about half that, with $7,500 of his earnings coming from his pocket.

The 30-day report is the last one that will be filed by candidates before the Aug. 27 primary election. For more information about candidate earnings, check out the Alaska Public Offices Commission Web site at www.state.ak.us/apoc.