In what is expected to be one of Maui's hottest primary races, incumbent state House Rep. Gil Keith-Agaran has a sizable financial advantage over his opponent, longtime County Council Member Joe Pontanilla, for the seat representing Central Maui in the state Legislature.
Keith-Agaran raised a little more than $39,200 in contributions for the six months that ended June 30, according to the latest campaign finance reports that were due Thursday. He spent $26,750 during the same time period and still reported having more than $36,600 in cash on hand as of June 30.
Pontanilla brought in $11,185 in contributions for the reporting period, according to his filing with the state Campaign Spending Commission. He spent $12,300 for the six months and reported having just $4,591 in cash on hand as of June 30.
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Keith-Agaran
Thursday was the deadline for filing of campaign finance reports for candidates in the Aug. 11 primary election, according to the state Campaign Spending Commission.
The Democrats will face off in the Aug. 11 primary for the state House District 9 seat that covers Kahului, Wailuku, Puunene, Spreckelsville and Paia. With no Republican opponents, the primary winner will secure the seat.
Keith-Agaran has represented the district since 2009, when he was appointed to the position by former Gov. Linda Lingle after Rep. Bob Nakasone died. He was then elected to the seat in 2010.
Pontanilla, vice chairman of the Maui County Council, is term-limited and cannot run for re-election to the council, having served in the Kahului residency seat for the past decade.
Some of Keith-Agaran's donors for the reporting period included Sumner Erdman of Ulupalakua Ranch ($2,000); lobbyist and Keith-Agaran's law firm partner Tony Takitani ($1,000); Kent Smith ($350); Jonathan Starr ($250); Chad Goodfellow of Goodfellow Bros. ($250) and Hilton Unemori ($200).
Keith-Agaran has raised more than $67,000 for the entire election cycle, including the latest reporting period.
Some of Pontanilla's donors over the six-month period included Robert Morgado of Warner Music ($2,000); Unemori ($500); Smith ($500) and Maui Lani Partners ($125).
Pontanilla has raised $14,485 in contributions for the entire election cycle.
In other Maui legislative races, Senate President Shan Tsutsui has amassed $98,100 in cash on hand as of June 30, even though he is unopposed.
Tsutsui, a Democrat who represents District 5, Wailuku-Lower Paia, raised $8,450 in contributions for the reporting period and has raised $84,500 for the entire election cycle. He spent about $14,400 for the six months that ended June 30 and close to $38,000 so far this election.
Incumbent Democratic state Sen. Roz Baker, who represents District 6, South and West Maui, reported having a little more than $87,400 in cash on hand as of June 30. She raised a total of $39,920 in contributions for the six-month period and has raised $134,700 so far this election.
Some of Baker's donors include professional employer organization Altres ($1,000); Unemori ($1,000); Monsanto ($500) and Howard Hanzawa ($400) of Kaanapali Land Co.
Baker's Republican opponent, Bart Mulvihill, did not file a report as of Thursday night.
Campaign finance highlights in other races:
State Senate
* Incumbent Democratic Sen. J. Kalani English, who represents District 7, East Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe: Raised $36,300, spent $21,480 for the filing period. Reported $39,937 in cash on hand as of June 30.
State House
* Incumbent Republican Rep. George Fontaine, who represents District 11, South Maui: Raised $11,270, spent $12,690 for the filing period. Reported $8,255 in cash on hand as of June 30.
* Incumbent Democratic Rep. Angus McKelvey, who represents District 10, West and South Maui: Raised $1,750, spent $4,800 for the filing period. Reported $5,200 in cash on hand as of June 30.
* Incumbent Democratic Rep. Joe Souki, who represents District 8, Central Maui: Raised $17,685, spent $5,900 for the filing period. Reported $16,700 in cash on hand as of June 30.
* Incumbent Democratic Rep. Kyle Yamashita, who represents District 12, Upcountry: Raised $19,130, spent $3,420 for the filing period. Reported $66,510 in cash on hand as of June 30.
* Incumbent Democratic Rep. Mele Carroll, who represents District 13, East Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe, did not file a finance report as of Thursday night.
Maui County Council
* Gladys Baisa, who holds the Upcountry residency seat, and Bob Carroll, who holds the East Maui residency seat, did not file their reports until October.
* Elle Cochran, who holds the West Maui residency seat: Raised $1,200, spent $870 for the filing period. Reported being $53,000 in the red as of June 30, after taking out a $53,662 loan.
* Don Couch, who holds the South Maui residency seat: Raised $11,360, spent $13,160 for the filing period. Reported $8,700 in cash on hand as of June 30.
* Riki Hokama, who holds the Lanai residency seat: Raised no money, spent $3,940 for the filing period. Reported $32,400 in cash on hand as of June 30.
* Mike Victorino, who holds the Wailuku-Waihee-Waikapu residency seat: Raised $27,970, spent $22,500 for the filing period. Reported $20,160 in cash on hand as of June 30.
* Mike White, who holds the Makawao-Haiku-Paia residency seat: Raised no money, spent $1,472 for the filing period. Reported $24,430 in cash on hand as of June 30.
* Nanea Kalani can be reached at nkalani@mauinews.com.
* This article includes a correction from the original published on Friday, July 13, 2012. It incorrectly indicated when campaign finance reports were due. The Maui News apologizes for the error.
