Davison puts another $94,000 into gubernatorial campaign

Davison puts another $94,000 into gubernatorial campaign

HELENA - Republican Pat Davison continues to use personal money to finance the late stages of his primary election campaign for governor, supplying another $94,000 to cover the cost of radio and TV advertising.

Campaign finance reports filed Thursday with the state political practices commissioner show Davison has contributed a total of $217,000 to his campaign so far, or one of every three dollars he has raised. That money has been funneled into the campaign over the past three months.

The Billings business consultant and former stockbroker has total donations of $657,151 and had spent all but $3,541 by May 29, the end of the last financial reporting period.

Davison's latest infusion of cash nearly matched the $95,385 his campaign spent on advertising during the 10-day period covered by the latest report. He raised $12,200 from other people in that time.

Meanwhile, his chief opponent for the GOP nomination, Secretary of State Bob Brown, collected $20,739 over the 10 days to increase his total for the campaign to $380,605. He has spent $338,788 and had about $41,700 left in the bank nine days before the election.

The two other Republican contenders, Ken Miller of Laurel and Tom Keating of Billings, remained far behind in the money race. Miller has raised $51,468 and spent $40,969, while Keating has collected $27,679 and spent $25,067. He has given $7,400 from his own pocket.

In the Democratic gubernatorial race, Whitefish farmer Brian Schweitzer added to his financial advantage over all other candidates. He raised another $19,560 in the reporting period, pushing his total contributions to $851,418. He has spent $414,811 and has $436,607 remaining.

Challenger John Vincent of Bozeman, who had raised $36,527 by May 19, did not file a new report by Thursday's 5 p.m. deadline.

Davison's campaign had just $3,541 in the bank as of May 29, but also owed about $32,000 to a Pennsylvania consulting firm and a New York company that conducted a poll. The campaign spent $112,266 over the 10-day period, with 85 percent of that going for advertising.

Brown's campaign spent $71,475 on advertising in that same time. Brown has used $4,401 of his own money in the campaign.

Jon Ellingson, a Missoula attorney and legislator, continues to raise more than fellow Democrat Bill Kennedy in the secretary of state's race. Ellingson has collected $62,258 and spent $55,581. Kennedy, a Yellowstone County commissioner, has raised $52,394 and spent $49,899.

On the Republican side of the race, Todd O'Hair, an aide to Gov. Judy Martz, has raised $51,060 and spent $46,911. Brad Johnson, an unemployed former business owner from Bozeman, has raised $73,199 - including $66,000 of his own money - and spent all but $161. Bob Werner of Helena has contributions of $3,983 and spending of $2,838.

Democrat Linda McCulloch has raised $51,704 and spent $17,106 in her bid for re-election as state superintendent of public instruction. Her rival for the nomination, Clarence Kimm of Bozeman, has raised $12,220 and spent $11,640. All but about $1,300 of his money came from his own pocket.

In the Republican primary for the education office, Kalispell teacher John Fuller has raised $9,854 and spent $5,355 and Fort Benton School Superintendent Bob Anderson has raised $5,956 and spent $1,979. Anderson has used $2,500 of his own money.

Fund raising has been hearty and spending light in three races without primary runoffs.

Supreme Court Justice James Nelson has raised $116,011 and spent $26,975 in his re-election effort. Challenger Cindy Younkin, a Bozeman attorney and legislator, has raised $101,191 and spent $55,631.

In the other contested high-court race, Brian Morris of Helena has raised $87,819 and spent $20,277. Ed McLean of Missoula did not file a report by Thursday. Morris is state solicitor in the attorney general's office and McLean is a district judge.

Democratic incumbent John Morrison built on his big financial edge over Republican opponent Duane Grimes of Clancy in the state auditor's race. Morrison has raised $127,824 and spent $15,386. Grimes did not file a report by Thursday.