(Editor’s note: With the 2022 political season heating up, heading into the May party primaries and the November general election, senior reporter Kevin Richert will write a running roundup on campaign news. If you have story ideas or comments, call or text Kevin at (208) 867-1403, send an email to 12.2.21: Critchfield touts apparent fundraising advantage
On Thursday, it was Debbie Critchfield’s turn to tout her fundraising.
The Republican candidate for state schools superintendent says she has raised $150,000 for her campaign.
“Everywhere I travel, I hear the same message: people are ready for change, and they are ready for a new educational leader,” the former State Board of Education president said in a news release.
Candidates don’t have to report all of their contributions to the state until the end of the year. But they do have to report contributions of at least $1,000 within 48 hours.
Those “48-hour” reports indicate Critchfield has maintained a big lead in fundraising.
Critchfield has reported $125,500 in large contributions this year. Recent donors include Ahlquist Development LLC, the business arm of former gubernatorial candidate Tommy Ahlquist; former Senate Education Committee chairman John Goedde; and the Idaho Land Fund.
Incumbent Sherri Ybarra, who has not yet announced her 2022 election plans, has reported $11,000 in large contributions. She has received $1,000 from former state Sen. Jeff Siddoway of Terreton.
Branden Durst — a former Democratic legislator now running on the GOP ticket — has reported $7,500 in contributions.
Disclosure: J.B. Scott — the founding chairman of the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation, which funds Idaho Education News — is affiliated with the Idaho Land Fund.
12.1.21: McCann files re-election paperwork
Lewiston’s newest lawmaker has filed initial paperwork to run for re-election — setting up a potential GOP primary with another sitting legislator. Rep. Lori McCann has appointed a campaign treasurer, a precursor to raising money for an election.
McCann lives in District 6 in the state’s new, proposed legislative map — not District 7, which takes in much of Lewiston. But District 6 is home to two other House Republicans, Brandon Mitchell of Moscow and Caroline Nilsson Troy of Genesee. That means at least two House incumbents could square off in the primary in May, if this legislative map survives court challenges.
Gov. Brad Little appointed McCann to the House in May. She replaced former Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger, who resigned in April and now faces a charge of rape, in a complaint involving a former House intern.
McCann is a member of the House Education Committee.
11.30.21: Labrador jumps out to apparent fundraising edge
On Tuesday, Raúl Labrador touted a fast fundraising start in his campaign for attorney general.
And the state sunshine reports suggest he has taken an early financial edge in this four-way Republican primary.
Since entering the race on Nov. 17, Labrador says he has raised $100,000.
“We are building a strong campaign across the state, working with conservative grassroots leaders and concerned citizens,” Labrador said in a news release. “They know I will maintain law and order in our communities, protect Idahoans’ religious freedom, ensure election integrity, and help enable parents to freely exercise their right to direct their children’s education without fear of federal retaliation.”
Candidates don’t have to report all of their fundraising activity until the end of the calendar year. But they must report any contributions of $1,000 or more within 48 hours.
Labrador has filed “48-hour reports” accounting for $94,500. Among his more notable donors, Labrador received $2,500 from former Idaho Power CEO Lamont Keen, and $2,500 from state Rep. Bruce Skaug of Nampa. (Labrador works in Skaug’s law firm.)
Art Macomber of Coeur d’Alene has been campaigning for attorney for nearly a year. He has reported $83,962.50 in donations. More than half of that money comes from Macomber himself. But he has also secured donations from several Idaho Freedom Foundation board members: Brent Regan of Coeur d’Alene and Doyle Beck of Idaho Falls, and the Idaho Falls law firm of Bryan Smith, a Freedom Foundation board member and congressional candidate.
Incumbent Lawrence Wasden, who announced his run for a sixth term on Nov. 22, has raised $17,500. He received $10,000 from the Republican Attorneys General Association, and $2,500 from the Idaho Victory Fund, a Boise political action committee.
Dennis Boyles of Sandpoint has reported no fundraising activity.
