Rep. Cathy Muñoz is running against Justin Parish to represent House District 34, but when it comes to fundraising, the Juneau Republican has no challenger.
According to the latest reports from the Alaska Public Offices Commission, the District 34 incumbent raised $54,322.74 in the two months between Aug. 7 and Oct. 7.
That’s more than any other candidate for Alaska House and more than most candidates for Alaska Senate.
Only John Coghill, an incumbent Republican battling for a Fairbanks Senate seat, and Vince Beltrami, the union leader from Anchorage who is competing for a Senate seat there, raised more during that two-month period.
Muñoz’s opponent, rookie candidate Parish, raised $15,962.95 during the same two-month span.
Parish’s largest single donation during the period was a $3,000 contribution from the Alaska Democratic Party. Parish gave $1,500 of his own money to his campaign, and the Tongass Democrats contributed $1,000. Most of Parish’s contributions were less than the $500 maximum allowable per candidate per calendar year; Jan Wrentmore of Skagway, Juneau attorney Myra Munson and Alaska Democratic Party spokesman Jake Hamburg all gave to the limit.
Muñoz’s largest single contribution during her state-leading effort was a $10,000 gift from her personal accounts. The Capital City Republican Women contributed $3,000 to Muñoz’s campaign, and the Capital City Republicans added $1,000.
Muñoz had more individual contributors than Parish, and they tended to contribute more money. Several gave the maximum allowed by law, including Neil MacKinnon, president of Alaska Laundry and brother-in-law of Sen. Anna MacKinnon. Others included Jack Tripp of Mt. Juneau Trading Post and Al Soriano, owner of Jovany’s Restaurant.
Even though he faces no competition in the general election, Rep. Sam Kito, Democrat of District 33, also listed some fundraising in the latest reports.
He raised $2,550.69, about half of which came in a single $1,000 donation from the National Education Association-Alaska.
Kito’s biggest expenses were related to his travel to Southeast Conference in Petersburg, while Muñoz and Parish each had all of the normal expenses associated with campaigning.
Muñoz’s biggest reported expenses were for campaign signs and printing, while Parish’s biggest expense was $3,000 for campaign management by Steve SueWing. That single payment was alone almost one-third of Parish’s reported campaign expenses since the primary election.
Parish, Muñoz and Kito will all appear at Thursday night’s election forum hosted by KTOO, the Juneau Empire and Juneau Votes. The debate begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Egan Lecture Hall at the University of Alaska Southeast. Reporters will serve as moderators and the audience will have an opportunity to ask questions and meet the candidates.
• Contact reporter James Brooks at 523-2258 or james.k.brooks@juneauempire.com.
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