Harris holds edge Mayor Jeremy Harris, whose political campaign is under investigation for questionable contributions to his 2000 mayoral re-election bid, has amassed more than $1 million in his campaign coffers so far, leading his closest gubernatorial opponent by nearly 2-to-1.
in election war chest
He has almost double the amount
Bainum tops in mayoral race
raised by rival Linda Lingle
Fund leadersBy Crystal Kua and Pat Omandam
ckua@starbulletin.com pomandam@starbulletin.comIn campaign spending reports covering last July 1 through Dec. 31, Harris' campaign reported a cash balance of $1,032,797 and receipts of $1,032,799, nearly all of that amount coming from contributions.
The Harris campaign issued a statement saying it is reviewing the report but may have to file an amended report after finding contributions that may have exceeded the legal limits and other problems. Harris was unavailable for comment.
But with the city prosecutor's office and the FBI investigating the campaign contribution allegations, Harris' rivals say the cloud hanging over Harris' campaign could have an impact on political giving.
Republican Party Chairwoman Linda Lingle, who could face Harris in the general election, has $561,688 in her campaign treasury with money raised during the period at $260,715.
Lingle said that the investigation surrounding Harris' campaign could have a positive and negative impact on her campaign.
"People see him in a weakened condition, and that will make them more willing to contribute to my campaign," she said. But she also said people may be turned off and not want to give.
Lingle pointed out that she has raised twice as much as she did at this time in her 1998 gubernatorial bid, but she said her campaign will likely have to raise a total of $5 million in coming months.
State Rep Ed Case (D, Manoa), who may face Harris in the Democratic primary, has a cash balance of $58,500 and total receipts during the period of $97,557.
Case said it is still early in the campaign, and he is still in the process of fund raising, but he expects to raise the $1 million needed to sufficiently get his message across. "After that it's up to the voters."
He also expects fallout as a result of the Harris campaign probe.
Other candidates for governor include two former state GOP chairmen: Republican-turned-Democrat D.G. "Andy" Anderson, with a balance of $1,904 and receipts of $125,102; and John Carroll, with $1,629 in his campaign account and receipts of $1,700, which includes a $1,000 loan.
In the race for lieutenant governor, state Sen. Ron Menor (D, Mililani) leads a group of announced and possible lieutenant governor candidates. Menor has $156,776 on hand for either the lieutenant governor's seat or a re-election bid.
He is followed by City Council Chairman Jon Yoshimura, with cash on hand of $51,670 and money raised at $59,400.
Meanwhile, all 76 seats in the state Legislature will be up for grabs this year because of the redrawing of political district boundaries.
State Sen. Donna Mercado Kim (D, Fort Shafter-Aiea) led the pack of legislators with $273,000 available in her campaign war chest. The former longtime city councilwoman raised $58,435 during the last six months of 2001.
Not too far behind Kim is Senate colleague Menor.
In a possible Democrat primary runoff this fall, Sen. Rod Tam (D, Nuuanu) has $49,528 available, while Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland (D, Liliha) listed just $347 on hand. Reapportionment of legislative districts last year put the two senators in the same district, and neither has indicated they will seek re-election.
As for Senate President Robert Bunda (D, Wahiawa), he has $63,000 available for a re-election bid, which is a little more than Senate Vice Chairwoman Colleen Hanabusa (D, Waianae), who has about $60,000.
In the House, Speaker Calvin Say leads the pack with $61,198 cash on hand, while House Minority Leader Galen Fox (R, Waikiki) has $24,661 available.
Candidate Duke Bainum has outspent four competitors for the 2002 mayoral race, according to a disclosure report filed yesterday at the Campaign Spending Commission. Bainum outspends others
in 2002 mayoral raceMufi Hannemann has received
the most money, reports showBy Rosemarie Bernardo
rbernardo@starbulletin.comTo date, Bainum has spent $298,712.10 and loaned his campaign $165,000.
"We're the least known," said Bainum. "All four of my opponents spent millions of dollars in other races.
"When you're not the darling of the special interest, you have to work hard to get your name out."
Bainum is expected to hold a news conference on the mayoral race at 1 p.m. tomorrow at the Campaign Spending Commission's office in the Leiopapa a Kamehameha Building on Beretania Street.
Mazie Hirono has spent $185,578.99, some of it on previous campaigns. Mufi Hannemann has spent $50,363.75; Keith Kaneshiro, $23,767.13; and Frank Fasi, $3,804.19.
The candidates filed reports for the period from July through December.
Among the five possible major candidates, Hannemann has received the most campaign donations: $494,777.65. Some of Hannemann's contributors include Geolabs, $2,400; Hawaii Metal Recycling Co., $4,000; Cove Entertainment Inc., $3,500 and Miller Brewing Co., $4,000.
"The voters are responding to my unwavering commitment to be mayor," Hannemann said. "A mayor that will invigorate the economy and watch your money, the tax dollars. That's been my message for a couple of years now."
Bainum reported the second-highest amount of money raised in his mayoral campaign.
"It's indicative of our strong campaign and the most heartening. We have over 1,600 contributors, and over 80 percent came from people who gave less than $100," Bainum said.
"It makes people appreciate that I'm beholden to no one. I'm there to serve the people."
Some of Bainum's contributors include Sidney Hamada of Flora-dec Sales Inc., $4,000; Charles Sted of Kapiolani Health, $4,000; and Shelly Hee of Case Management Options Inc., $4,000.
Hirono has received the third-highest amount of donations.
"I haven't had a fund-raiser during this period," Hirono said. She said it's a critical time from now until the election, and plans to raise more money. "It's not indicative of how the results will be."
A glance at the top fund-raisers in their expected races, according to state campaign spending reports for last July-Dec. 31, filed by yesterday's deadline: Moneymakers
Governor
>> Jeremy Harris, Democrat: Money raised, $1,032,799; cash on hand, $1,032,797.62>> Linda Lingle, Republican: Money raised, $260,715.14; cash on hand, $561,688.17
>> Ed Case, Democrat: Money raised, $97,557.50; cash on hand, $58,500
>> John Carroll, Republican: Money raised, $1,700; cash on hand, $1,629.35
>> D.G. "Andy" Anderson, Democrat: Money raised, $125,102.13; cash on hand, $1,904
Lieutenant governor
>> Ron Menor, Democrat: Money raised, $54,076; cash on hand, $156,776.44>> Jon Yoshimura, Democrat: Money raised, $59,400; cash on hand, $51,670.69
Lieutenant governor (announced and possible candidates)
>> Donna Ikeda, Democrat: Money raised, $2,253.31; cash on hand, $10,747.29
>> Dalton Tanonaka, Republican: Money raised, $2,065; cash on hand, $2,065
>> John DeSoto, Democrat: Money raised, $5,552.65; cash on hand, $1,056.14
>> Clayton Hee, Democrat: Did not file
Honolulu mayor
>> Mufi Hannemann: Money raised, $494,777.65; cash on hand, $473,347.15>> Duke Bainum: Money raised, $484,969.80; cash on hand, $193,041.65
>> Mazie Hirono: Money raised, $280,059.42; cash on hand, $231,372.02
>> Keith Kaneshiro: Money raised, $53,661.05; cash on hand, $29,893.92
>> Frank Fasi: Money raised, $16,352.99; cash on hand, $3,804.19
Fund-raising state legislators
Here are the totals for the top 10 fund-raising legislators, raised during their current terms:*>> Sen. Donna Mercado Kim, Democrat (Fort Shafter-Aiea): $322,735 raised; $273,010 cash on hand
>> Sen. Ron Menor, Democrat (Mililani-Waipio Gentry): $185,177 raised; $156,776 cash on hand
>> Sen. Rod Tam, Democrat (Downtown-Nuuanu): $139,828 raised; $49,528 cash on hand
>> Sen. Robert Bunda, Democrat (Wahiawa-North Shore): $98,524 raised; $63,018 cash on hand
>> Rep. Calvin Say, Democrat (Palolo-Kaimuki): $83,441 raised; $61,198 cash on hand
>> Sen. Brian T. Taniguchi, Democrat (Manoa-McCully): $83,088 raised; $64,620 cash on hand
>> Sen. Lorraine R. Inouye, Democrat (North Hilo-Kohala): $70,311 raised; $34,883 cash on hand
>> Rep. Brian Schatz, Democrat (Makiki-Tantalus): $66,613 raised; $6,877 cash on hand
>> Rep. Bob Nakasone, Democrat (Waikapu-Kahului); $60,360 raised; $32,983 cash on hand
>> Rep. Mindy Jaffe, Republican (Diamond Head-Waikiki): $58,480 raised; $2,387 cash on hand* Based on 64 reports from the 76 legislators; reports from 12 lawmakers were unavailable yesterday.