Campaign finance filings with the Idaho Sunshine database show Kootenai County commissioner candidate John Padula leading local fundraising efforts with a week to the May Primary election. 

The county and judicial races show a large turnout of resident donors, while the legislative races across North Idaho drew significant backing from businesses and political action committees. 

The following candidates were the top recipients of donations in their respective races, according to filings with the Idaho Sunshine database

Padula, running for the District 1 commission seat, reported raising $61,800, the highest total among county candidates. His campaign received $1,000 contributions from Metal America, Steel Structures America, B&B Concrete Pumping of Moscow, Covenant Arms and Redman & Company Insurance Inc. More than $45,000 of Padula’s contributions came from private residents.  

Also in the District 1 commissioner race, candidate Julie Hensley reported $11,202.54, including $1,000 donations from Brent Regan, Hensley Mobile LLC, David Hensley and Bruce Mattare. 

In the District 2 commissioner race, Bruce Mattare reported $18,200 in total contributions, including $1,000 donations from Trafficorp, Land Kicker LLC, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and Storage World Inc. Mattare's opponent, Steve Em, has no reported contributions. 

Kootenai County Assessor Bela Kovacs has reported $951 in contributions. His opponent, Allyson Knapp, reported $11,945.75. Her top contributions included $1,000 from Idaho REALTORS PAC and Ryan McCarty, $911.81 in self-funding and $900 from Castaway Outfitters. 

In other Kootenai County elections, several candidates raised significantly less, or nothing in some cases. The race for county clerk between incumbent Jennifer Locke and John Samuelson shows that Locke has raised $500, while Samuelson has no filings. 

Republican Teresa Mallery has received $6,305 in donations in her race with Carlos Zamora for county treasurer. Zamora reported no contributions. 

In the District 1 judicial race, Ben Allen reported $22,700, with more than $20,000 coming from individual donors. His largest contributors included Genesis Arms LLC, Anna Berger, Rick Luna, Wallace Development and Gary Allen, all at $1,000.  

Lisa Chesebro, also running for the District 1 judicial position, reported $5,924.27 in contributions. This includes $1,000 each from individual donors Roberta Webber and Gary Garner and about $2,400 in contributions of less than $500 each from other individuals and businesses.

Legislative races in Districts 2 through 5 showed a greater reliance on business and PAC funding.  

Rep. Elaine Price, District 4 Seat B, reported $24,725.40, highlighted by a $2,000 donation from Idaho Summit PAC and $1,000 contributions from the Idaho House Republican Caucus, Benjamin Toews, Brent Regan, SMC Properties LLC and Avista Corp. 

Challenger Christa Hazel reported $39,818.44, including $1,000 contributions from Mickelson Farms of Rigby and Idaho Power.

Rep. Dale Hawkins, District 2 Seat B, reported $23,680.08, including $2,000 from the Benewah County Republican Central Committee and $1,000 donations from Regan, Jordan Redman, Avista Corp. and SMC Properties.  

Rep. Jordan Redman, District 3 Seat B, reported $23,550, including $16,200 from business entities. His top contributors included Elevance Health at $2,000 and $1,000 donations from Charter Communications of St. Louis, Blue Cross of Idaho, the Idaho Cable Broadband Association and several out-of-state political committees. 

Rep. Heather Scott, District 2 Seat A, reported $13,325, with notable contributions including $1,000 from R.H. Valla of Eagle and $750 from Rhino Hunters of the Inland Northwest. 

In the District 3 Senate race, Doug Okuniewicz reported $21,245.82, with more than $17,000 coming from businesses and political action committees, including Idaho Power Co., Winning for Idaho, Idaho AGC State PAC, Idaho Automobile Dealers Association AUTOPAC, Syringa Networks and ICUA PAC, each contributing about $1,000.  

In the District 3 Seat A race for Idaho House, Vito Barbieri reported $12,800 in contributions compared to $100 for Eric Seeley. 

Sen. Benjamin Toews, District 4, reported $20,651, with more than $15,000 from similar sources, including Idaho AGC State PAC, ICTA PAC, the Committee to Expand the Middle Class, Syringa Networks and Google Client Services.

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Kaye Thornbrugh contributed to this report.