Iwase tops Democrats for governor in funding, debt

Lingle's far wealthier campaign is criticized over out-of-state gifts

Democratic gubernatorial front-runner Randy Iwase's campaign collected about $101,800 during the last two months, but the bulk of that was a $60,000 loan to himself, according to the most recent campaign spending reports filed with the state.

His campaign spent roughly $84,700 and still has about $33,800 on hand, but the former state senator has incurred a debt of about $26,200.

Meanwhile, Iwase's main primary opponent, Waianae Harbormaster and Hawaiian activist William Aila Jr., raised about $25,900 since July 1, spent about $20,300 and still has about $12,400.

But Aila's most recent spending report shows no debt, making his net balance about $4,800 more than Iwase.

Both candidates' coffers pale in comparison with that of Gov. Linda Lingle.

Although Lingle spent more than she raised in the last reporting period -- $1.12 million spent versus $222,3000 taken in -- she entered July with $3.35 million and still has $2.45 million on hand as she seeks a second term in office.

Yesterday was the deadline for campaign spending reports from candidates running for statewide office. The most recent reporting period covers July 1 through last Friday.

Hawaii's primary election is Sept. 23.

Lingle's campaign -- which has been criticized by Democrats for accepting contributions from mainland donors -- noted that of the roughly $206,900 in campaign contributions, 89 percent came from local donors.

State law limits out-of-state contributions to no more than 20 percent of a candidate's total collections during a reporting period. Among Lingle's out-of-state contributions were $500 from automaker DaimlerChrysler's political action committee and $1,000 from the Washington, D.C.-based American Beverage Association.

Lingle is expected to easily win the GOP primary over a handful of political unknowns, "but we're not taking anything for granted," she said in a news release. "We will continue to run a vigorous campaign talking about what our administration has achieved during the past four years and our vision for the coming years."

Iwase has been among Lingle's harshest critics. His most recent spending report lists no donations from mainland contributors.

"I don't know what she needs all that money for," he said. "She's grabbing everything she can.

"I think the voters are going to remember that she said she was a campaign reformer, and she's not living up to her promise."

Iwase has said he would accept donations from out-of-state contributors if offered, but he would not actively pursue such donations or hold fundraisers on the mainland unless they were for Hawaii expatriates.

According to his report, Iwase has received donations from the campaign committees of several incumbent Democratic lawmakers, including state Sens. Donna Mercado Kim, Clarence Nishihara and Norman Sakamoto; and state Reps. Calvin Say and Dwight Takamine.

With a lot of campaign money flowing to the Daniel Akaka/Ed Case race for the U.S. Senate and the 10 Democrats in the running for Case's 2nd Congressional District seat in the U.S. House, Iwase said fundraising has been a challenge.

"But we've raised enough to run a very comfortable primary election campaign," he said. "We feel what we have in place and what we're doing now is going to carry us to victory."

Aila said, "The amount of money that we've raised has never been a concern for me, because I've always planned on running a grass-roots campaign. It appears from the feedback that we're getting from people around the state that we're making an impact, and we believe that we will do very well."

All state candidates' spending reports are available online at www.hawaii.gov/campaign.

CAMPAIGN SPENDING SO FAR Here is a look at how much money the main candidates for governor have raised and spent during the most recent campaign reporting period, July 1 through last Friday. The amount collected includes contributions as well as public funds and other campaign-related funds. GOV. LINDA LINGLE (R) Cash on hand at beginning of reporting period: $3,349,988.85 Amount collected: $222,266.41 Amount spent: $1,119,244.75 Amount remaining: $2,453,010.51 Debt owed: None RANDY IWASE (D) Cash on hand at beginning of reporting period: $16,664.18 Amount collected: $101,848.15 Amount spent: $84,740.89 Amount remaining: $33,771.44 Debt owed: $26,228.56 WILLIAM AILA (D) Cash on hand at beginning of reporting period: $6,776.88 Amount collected: $25,895.44 Amount spent: $20,256.79 Amount remaining: $12,415.53 Debt owed: None Source: State Campaign Spending Commission