Heading into primary, Lingle spent 7 times as much as challenger

In the final two weeks leading up to last month's primary election, Gov. Linda Lingle's campaign spent about $16,000 a day in her race against three mostly unknown challengers, and still had more than $2.35 million in cash left on hand for the general election.

THE MONEY TRAIL A look at how much Gov. Linda Lingle and Randy Iwase have spent in the 2006 gubernatorial race. The most recent campaign spending reports cover the period of Sept. 9-23. Gov. Linda Lingle (R) Cash: $2,453,010.51 Collected: $137,515.29 Spent: $240,753.61 Remaining: $2,349,772.19 Debt: None Randy Iwase (D) Cash: $33,667.84 Collected: $4,664.16 Spent: $32,636.75 Remaining: $5,695.25 Debt: $54,304.75 Source: State Campaign Spending Commission

By comparison, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Randy Iwase had just $5,695 in cash on hand heading into the general election.

The candidates' latest reports were filed yesterday with the state Campaign Spending Commission. Reports filed yesterday cover the 15-day period from Sept. 9 through the Sept. 23 primary.

Lingle's daily average in the final two weeks of the primary campaign was more than seven times what Iwase spent fending off a challenge from Waianae Harbormaster and Hawaiian activist William Aila Jr. in the Democratic primary.

During the two-week period, Lingle raised $137,515 and spent $240,754. For the current election period overall, Lingle has raised a record $6.37 million.

In their recent debate, Iwase made several references to the governor's $6 million war chest and criticized her for running ads that he said took credit for policies and programs advanced by Democrats in the Legislature.

Iwase entered the last two weeks of the campaign with $33,668, raised $4,664 and spent $32,637 -- an average of $2,175 per day -- in the days leading up to the Democratic primary.

So far this election cycle, he has raised $241,973 but also has incurred a campaign debt of $54,305.

Iwase started the race with nothing, having entered the campaign after bigger names declined to run.

One of his biggest challenges was a shrinking pot of Democratic funds, with a lot of money going toward the U.S. Senate primary between Sen. Daniel Akaka and U.S. Rep. Ed Case.

The race to succeed Case, which attracted a total of 10 Democrats, also appeared to draw money away from a governor's race in which Lingle was considered a heavy favorite, analysts said.