Candidates for one of Juneau's House seats said Tuesday they expect to be evenly matched in campaign funds.
But Democrat Andrea Doll said even if Republican Randy Wanamaker has more money to spend, it won't change the election's outcome - both candidates have enough money to get their message across. Doll and Wanamaker are vying to replace incumbent Rep. Bruce Weyhrauch, a second-term Republican who chose not to run again for the House of Representatives District 4 seat.
At the conclusion of the Aug. 22 primary election, Wanamaker had raised $14,131 and Doll $16,702. But Wanamaker, who serves on the Juneau Assembly and is the deputy mayor, has several thousand dollars from past municipal races and had about $9,000 more money available than Doll after the primary.
Doll, however, said she was happy with the amount of money she's been able to raise so far.
"I think I'm doing excellent for a first-time candidate," Doll said.
Wanamaker said that with his high-profile positions, he's better known than Doll. That means that even though he may have more money to spend, he won't need as much to tell voters who he is.
"I've been involved in local, regional and state issues for the last 30 years," he said. "People know me because of my exposure."
In addition to his position on the Juneau Assembly, Wanamaker has served as chairman of Goldbelt, Juneau's urban Native corporation, and still serves on its board of directors. Doll is a retired teacher and community volunteer.
House races are conducted on a small-enough scale that huge amounts of campaign funds aren't needed, both candidates said, adding they expect to have enough money to reach voters. The bulk of their money will likely be spent on radio and newspaper ads, direct mail and signs.
"Radio, mailers and newspaper ads, those are the three things that work in this community," Wanamaker said. "Television may be something we do later."
Doll said she'll have adequate campaign funds available, but said she would prefer the state limit campaign spending to, say, $1,000, or to create a system of publicly financed elections. Television ads are unlikely, she said.
Indications of candidates' stands on issues can be garnered from their contributors. Some of Wanamaker's contributions came from heavy equipment operators. That may have been spurred by Wanamaker's support of the Kensington Mine, or his general support of development, he said.
"They understand my support for local labor," Wanamaker said.
Dennis Wheeler, chairman of Coeur d'Alene Mines Corp., contributed $200. Coeur d'Alene Mines is the parent company of Coeur Alaska, which is opening the Kensington mine.
Three self-employed marine pilots from Ketchikan, Robert Winter, Theodore Kellog and Carl Luck contributed $500 each. Weyhrauch contributed $300.
Doll said she was proud that most of her contributions were in small amounts, but included some prominent political action committees. They included educators in the National Education Association, the Women's Political Caucus, Juneau Pro-Choice Coalition and Alaska Public Safety Employees Association.
She said some of her support came from current and former state employees concerned about their retirement.
"These people have been very unhappy with the actions of the present administration and are hoping that a new face and a new political party will bring a new result," Doll said.
