Gish leads commission candidates in money-raising

Joe Gish has raised more money than any other candidate in a Nez Perce County commission Republican primary race in which a number of prominent residents in the community have made contributions.

The total contributions to Gish’s campaign were at $6,579 as of Thursday afternoon, according to data on the Idaho secretary of state’s website.

Gish, of Waha, is running against Robin Ackerman, of Lenore, Bob Hasenoehrl, of Lewiston, and John Roy, of Lewiston, in the Republican primary Tuesday. They’re vying for the District 3 seat on the Nez Perce County Commission.

The top vote-getter Tuesday will face the only Democratic candidate, Pete Gertonson, of Waha, in the November general election. The incumbent, Doug Zenner, isn’t seeking the office.

The total contributions to Roy’s campaign were $3,500 while Ackerman had raised $850. No contributions were listed for Hasenoehrl.

The Nez Perce County Republican Central Committee has given $1,000 to Gish and no money to the other three candidates, according to the Idaho secretary of state’s website.

Individuals with ties to the Lewiston-Nez Perce County Regional Airport where Gish serves on its authority board represented the majority of his contributions.

Among them were Gary Peters and his wife, Jill Peters, of Clarkston, who gave $1,000 each. Peters is the chairperson of the airport authority board.

Keith White and Gale Wilson, both of Lewiston, gave $1,000 each. White is vice president and Wilson is president of Hillcrest Aircraft Company, a business at the Lewiston airport.

Airport authority board member Katie Seekins, of Lewiston, gave Gish $250. Doug Black, of Lewiston, a longtime airport supporter, donated $200.

Rep. Mike Kingsley, of Lewiston, donated $200. Kingsley is a Republican who represented District 7 in the Idaho Legislature but isn’t running for reelection.

Nez Perce County Commissioner Doug Havens, of Lewiston, gave $50. Havens’ seat is not up for election this year.

Other donors of Gish’s are as follows: Floyd Hutchens, of Boise, $200; Bob Mcmillen, of Lewiston, $50; Becky Vance, of Lewiston, $200; Kelly Benscoter, of Lewiston, $125; and Jimmy Hutchens, of Mount Vernon, Wash., $200. Gish gave $100 to himself.

Roy’s list of donors also included a number of familiar names. At $1,000, the Diamond Shop in downtown Lewiston was his biggest contributor.

Other contributors to Roy were Bill Jollymore at $500, Robert “Tony” Copeland at $350, Mike and Tracy Collins at $250, Dale Alldredge at $250, Michael Tatko at $100, all of Lewiston. Jollymore is the owner of Jollymore’s: A Dining Experience in Lewiston. Copeland is an owner of Hells Canyon Grand Hotel in Lewiston.

The Collinses work at Lewis-Clark State College. A former Lewiston mayor, Mike Collins is the head coach of the school’s cross country and track and field teams Tracy Collins is the head athletic trainer. Alldredge is president of Snake River Tool Co. doing business as Rousseau Co. in Clarkston.

Tatko is a local manager at Avista energy company whose area of focus is the Lewiston-Clarkston region.

Other contributors to Roy are as follows: Vicki Bloom, of Lewiston, $500; Amanda Coleman, of Lewiston, $50; Brianne Bender, of Lewiston, $200; Dean and Sara Roy, $250; and Jennifer Jorgensen, $50.

Ackerman’s largest contributions came from herself and equaled $400. Other donors were Frank Merickel, of Lenore, at $100 and Loel Yerion, also of Lenore, at $300. A total of $50 of Ackerman’s contributions are listed as unitemized on the Idaho Secretary of State’s website.

Williams may be contacted at ewilliam@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2261.