In doing some research into campaign finance disclosures between Sen. Dean Johnson and his opponent, Joe Gimse, I found some interesting facts.
Johnson, as of his Jan. 1 to Aug. 21 report to the state, had a total of $19,775 in individual contributions of which a total of $5,340 had to be itemized because they were over $100. Of that $5,340, $3,050 was from out of District 13, leaving $2,290 from within the district. Johnson had $3,400 from 13 lobbyists and another $6,800 from 27 PAC contributions.
The totals amount to contributions of $29,975, of which $13,250 is documented from out of the district or 44 percent. It is not known how much of the undocumented $14,435 is from out of the district. So if you take only the documented total contributions of $15,540, then 85 percent comes from out of the district. Johnson had no contributions from a DFL county party or other DFL affiliate.
Challenger Joe Gimse (whom I have never met in person) has a total amount of contributions for the period of Jan. 1 to Aug. 21 of $29,988.45. Of this total $21,365 was from individuals, of which $10,450 is documented as they are contributions of $100 or more. Of this amount, $600 was from out of District 13, leaving $9,850 from within the district or 94 percent.
Gimse has $100 undocumented from lobbyists and no PAC contributions. He had $4,500 in contributions from Renville, Kandiyohi, and Pope County Republican Parties. He has loaned his campaign $4,000 of his own money. There was an undocumented contribution of $24.45.
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These contributions and where they come from kind of make me wonder where the candidates' allegiance and priorities belong. I think the public deserves to know the truth about records as Sen. Johnson asked for in the West Central Tribune on Oct. 11.
John L. Sullivan
Willmar
