Serving the Flathead Valley & Montana since 2006. A reality based independent journal of observation & analysis. © James Conner.
So far, only House District 5 (Whitefish) incumbent Rep. Ed Lieser, and Lynn Stanley, candidate in the nominally open House District 8 (west Kalispell) have raised serious money for their campaigns. Lieser has raised $7,714 (that includes a $1,000 loan from himself) and has $4,719 in the bank. Stanley has raised $4,860 and has $3,050 in the bank.
In House District 3 (Columbia Falls and north), a seat a Democrat could win, Zac Perry reports raising $50 and $50 in the bank. He also reports $23 in contributions of less than $35, and one $50 contribution, so he may need to file an amended report. This is not a fundraising effort that can lead to victory in November.
In House District 7 (Kalispell), a district Democrats can and do win, Alex Schaeffer reported raising no money and having no money in the bank. The C-5 campaign finance report of his primary opponent, 18-year-old high school student Catherine Henderson, is not yet online. Schaeffer isn’t trying. He’s just a name on the ballot. Democrats in HD-7 may well crossover and vote for Republican Frank Garner. In 2008 in this district, Democrat Cheryl Steenson raised over $25,000 and defeated incumbent Republican Craig Witte.
In hard right House District 11 (south of Kalispell and Flathead Lake’s north and west shores), Kim Fleming reports raising $800 and $800 in the bank. Her sole contribution was $800 from herself.
I’ll have more tomorrow.