Malek leading 1st District in campaign contributions

COEUR d’ALENE — In the race for Idaho’s open 1st District congressional seat, Luke Malek, of Coeur d’Alene, outpaced both of his top Republican rivals in contributions received during the most recent quarterly filing period.

Russ Fulcher, a former state senator, and David Leroy, a former attorney general and former lieutenant governor, are Malek’s main opponents seeking the Republican nomination for the congressional seat now held by Raul Labrador, who is running for governor.

U.S. House and Senate candidates had until Oct. 15 to file their financial disclosures for the July 1 to Sept. 30 quarter with the Federal Election Commission.

Malek, a state representative, reported raising $82,414 since joining the election race in August. Malek’s receipts do not include any contributions or loans from Malek to his campaign.

“Idahoans want someone to fight for conservative solutions in Congress — not just talk,” Malek said in a prepared statement. “That is why the enthusiasm for our message is overwhelming. Idahoans are supporting our campaign for a new approach to solving the real problems of our time.”

Campaign reports show Malek spent $7,328, leaving him with $75,486.

The Fulcher campaign announced Monday that Fulcher raised $102,115 since the end of June, but according to the campaign’s FEC filing, that amount includes a $35,000 loan Fulcher made to his campaign on Sept. 30. Fulcher received a total of $65,421 contributions during the quarter, according to the campaign’s report filed late Oct. 15.

Fulcher’s overall campaign receipts since he entered the race, including the loan, are $153,298. He spent $51,184 during the last quarter.

“We truly are a grassroots campaign, and I am deeply humbled by every contribution I have received,” Fulcher said in a news release. “To me, it’s not about the amount. It’s about the person, who is willing to give his or her hard-earned resources to stand beside me as we pursue greater opportunities by right-sizing the relationship between Idaho and the federal government.”

Leroy’s FEC filing shows his campaign raised $31,036 between July 1 and Sept. 30. His overall contributions are $145,040, but that includes $53,813 from Leroy to the campaign. After expenditures, he has $69,825 remaining.