POST FALLS - The Post Falls mayor candidates are running financially similar campaigns so far.

Thursday was the first deadline for city candidates to post their financial reports for the Nov. 5 election. The finances reported are through Sept. 30.

In the race for mayor, which features two current City Council members, Kerri Thoreson reported $2,759 in contributions and $2,216 in expenditures. Ron Jacobson reported $2,075 in contributions and $2,006 in expenditures.

"It's early," Thoreson said. "My campaign budget is conservative, and as I've done in the past with council campaigns, I make an effort to spend donated dollars locally and to spend my time out in the neighborhoods meeting people one-on-one.

"The support of such a broad segment of the community is gratifying, and I'll keep working hard up until the polls close on Nov. 5."

Thoreson's highest contributors include: Doyle Jacklin $500, Robert Thoreson $300, John Magnuson $200, Alice Rankin $200, Janna Scharf Realty $200, and Debra Wunderlich, $200.

Jacobson's top donors are: Randy Oaks $500, Skip and Jodi Hissong $500, and Susan Jacobson $500. His expenditures were to Range NW, Inc., for advertising, literature and postage. Range NW co-founder Eden Irgens is president of the Balance North Idaho Political Action Committee.

Jacobson said he had no comment or reaction regarding the numbers of his campaign or Thoreson's.

In the race for council seat No. 2 currently held by Jacobson, Alan Wolfe leads the way financially with $2,529 in contributions and $1,756 in expenditures. A loan of $2,000 accounted for most of his contributions. His top contributor was Oaks with $100.

Barry Rubin reported $1,300 in contributions - all from himself - and $1,173 in expenditures. Rubin has spent his funds on the Strategery Group for management services and printing. Ron Lahr, co-founder of the Kootenai County Reagan Republicans, is president of the group.

Jim Hail reported $1,150 in contributions and no expenditures. Contributors include himself and Cynthia Hail at $500 each.

A financial report from Joe Bodman was not received by deadline on Thursday.

With council seat No. 4, incumbent Betty Ann Henderson reported $1,100 in contributions and $689 in expenditures. A committee to elect Henderson, with Larry Carstensen as treasurer, contributed $1,000 and Dean Haagenson $100.

A report from Jayson Cornwell was turned in before the city's deadline, but not posted online by the city by deadline for The Press. City Clerk Shannon Howard said Christi Fleischman was clarifying some points on her report before turning it in today.