Campaign money pours in just days before election
Election day is just four days away and last-minute campaign spending shows a big push in favor of Republican Governor Butch Otter. Campaign finance reports show within the last 48 hours campaign money has been pouring in, mainly in opposition to Democratic candidate A.J. Balukoff. So where is this money coming from?
According to the Idaho Secretary of State, just two days ago about $227,000 was spent by the Republican Governors Association Idaho Political Action Committee. The PAC is based out of Washington D.C., but the expenditure notice filed with the Secretary of State was signed by Kirk Sullivan. Sullivan was once chairman of the state’s GOP party and was heavily backed by Otter when he was chairman. Sullivan was later beat by Barry Davidson in 2008.
Another PAC, Citizens for Change, donated about $7,000 this week on TV and radio advertisements. The PAC is based out of Idaho Falls. In total, the PAC has given more than $27,000. The signature on the filings appears to be from Michael D. Batt. Batt is a former employee of Frank VanderSloot’s company, Melaleuca.
The Idaho Prosperity Fund spent another $24,000 for broadcast advertising. The PAC is affiliated with the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry Business Lobbying Group.
Meanwhile, campaign finance reports show A.J. Balukoff has spent more $3.2 million of his own money on his campaign. The reports also show from Oct. 1 to Oct. 19, Balukoff received about $995,000 in campaign contributions. Bev Harad gave the biggest contribution of $2,500. The Superintendent of the Madison County School District, Geoff Thomas, gave about $90.
To view Otter’s financial disclosure report, click here. To view A.J. Balukoff’s,click here. Libertarian candidate John Bujak’s report is also available.
