As the 2011 Whatcom County election campaign enters its final week, former Lynden mayor Jack Louws leads State Sen. Doug Ericksen in fundraising in the battle to succeed Pete Kremen as Whatcom County executive.
According to the most recent documents on file with the Washington Public Disclosure Commission, Louws has raised about $81,000 to Ericksen's $70,200.
The reports also indicate that both campaigns have $3,000 to $4,000 left in their war chests at this point, with additional contributions still a possibility.
Both candidates are from the conservative wing of the local political spectrum. But after two more liberal candidates - David Stalheim and Tom Anderson - were defeated in the August primary, both men endorsed Louws.
Ericksen's long record as a Republican stalwart in Olympia no doubt gives him better name recognition for many Whatcom County voters. That record also seems to be winning some votes for Louws among Democrats, while creating some odd political groupings: One Louws mailing featured Louws flanked by former Bellingham mayor Tim Douglas and former Ferndale mayor Yvonne Goldsmith and husband Gene, who also served in the legislature.
"We don't always see eye to eye, but one thing we do agree on is Jack Louws," the caption said.
That translates into some financial support from Bellingham political contributors who would normally be writing checks to more liberal-oriented Democratic candidates.
Notable among them:
• Rud and Sheila Browne of Bellingham, who have contributed $800 apiece; Rud Browne, CEO of Ryzex, serves on Mayor Dan Pike's Public Development Authority and is a Pike supporter.
• Former Bellingham mayor Ken Hertz, also on the development authority and a Pike supporter, contributed $400;
• Harriet Spanel, former Democratic state senator and backer of Kelli Linville in the mayor's race, contributed $100.
But Louws also draws campaign cash from the Lynden area and the agricultural sector. Among his largest contributors is Marv Enfield of Enfield Farms, a berry producer. Both Enfield and the company are listed as contributors of the maximum $1,600 apiece. The maximum is $800 for the primary election and another $800 in the general election.
Ericksen also has notable support from the county's agriculture sector, along with $1,000 from the Whatcom County Republican Party and $500 from Republican Women of Whatcom County.
He also got $800 from Bellingham Firefighters Local 106.
Ericksen's roster of donors reflects his background in the legislature, with contributions from interest groups that often help finance legislative races: $1,600 from Trucking Action Committee; $800 from Comcast Financial PAC; $800 from Premera Blue Cross; $1,600 from Regence Group; $800 from Real Estate PAC; $800 from Washington Aggregate and Concrete Association, and $500 from Washington Restaurant Association PAC.
