Gubernatorial candidates each top $2 million mark.

Byline: DAVID STEVES The Register-Guard

SALEM - Both major-party candidates for governor have exceeded the $2 million mark in contributions as they enter the home stretch of their campaigns, according to financial disclosures made public Thursday.

Republican Kevin Mannix pulled in a pair of contributions totaling $450,000, along with loans totaling $150,000 from two Salem businessmen to help draw ahead of the fund-raising totals of his Democratic opponent, Ted Kulongoski.

Thanks to his $1.18 million in contributions for the 30-day period that ended Sunday, the Salem attorney's fund-raising totals reached $2.25 million.

Kulongoski, a Portland resident who stepped down last year as a Supreme Court justice, took in $836,651 in the latest 30-day reporting period, giving him a new contribution total of $2.13 million for the entire campaign, which ends with the Nov. 5 Election Day.

Except for $101,336 in new contributions from the Oregon Education Association, Kulongoski's biggest contributions for the latest 30-day cycle came in from labor, business and law firms at $50,000 or less per contributor.

The Mannix campaign trumpeted his fund-raising boon.

"The ability to raise funds allows us to remain totally competitive in the race," Mannix campaign manager Amy Casterline said. "Oregon voters are sensing the momentum of Kevin's campaign, and they're jumping on board the Mannix Reform Express.'

But the Kulongoski campaign said his big edge in cash on hand and a positive balance - compared with Mannix's reliance on loans and his unpaid bills - give the Democrat a big edge in being able to pay for television ads and other expenses in the final push.

"Once again, these reports show that Kevin is running his campaign like he would the state," Kulongoski campaign manager Sean Sinclair said. "He is borrowing against the future with no regard for the consequences."

Kulongoski reported cash on hand of $390,337, more than double Mannix's $170,452. After factoring in Mannix's $469,500 in outstanding loans, and his $189,442 in bills that have not yet been paid, his campaign reported a deficit of $436,816. Kulongoski's campaign, which showed no loans, had an on-paper balance of $375,839.

The third candidate, Libertarian Tom Cox of Hillsboro, reported a new fund-raising total of $38,378, thanks to contributions of $8,228 in the latest fund-raising cycle. The management consultant has been his own biggest contributor with $9,600 overall.

Despite the loans and outstanding bills, Mannix so far has been able to surpass Kulongoski in spending, most of which has gone to TV and other means of marketing their messages to voters.

Mannix reported spending $2.15 million through last Sunday while Kulongoski reported expenditures totaled $1.77 million.

The most generous contributors to Mannix for the last 30-day period included the Republican Governors Association, which gave him $200,000, and the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which contributed $150,000.

Salem construction executive James Monaghan loaned Mannix $100,000, and Salem developer Larry Epping loaned him $50,000.

Mannix did well with timber executives, some of whom he lobbied at a conference they held in Welches. The Republican candidate's bid for cash from the industry's leaders drew some controversy because he was a no-show for nearly two hours at a scheduled debate so he could attend their conference to appeal for money.

In the last 30-day period, Mannix got $27,025 from D.R. Johnson Lumber in Douglas County, which has given him a total of $77,525. Seneca Jones Lumber of Eugene, Hampton Lumber Sales of Portland and the Swanson Group of Glendale each contributed $25,000 to Mannix.

His most generous individual contributor has been Rod Wendt, president of Jeld-Wen in Klamath Falls. Wendt's latest $50,000 contribution to Mannix brings his cumulative total to $150,000.

Lane County businesses also pitched in generously to the Mannix campaign.

Land developer Arlie & Co., the main player in building up the Gateway area of Springfield, contributed $50,000. Monaco Coach of Coburg and its Indiana-based chief executive officer, Kay Toolson, have given a combined $25,500 to Mannix.

Kulongoski continued to receive a smattering of business support along with his heavy load of union money.

Besides his six-figure contribution from OEA, the state's largest teachers' union, which brought its cumulative total to $201,336, the Democrat got money in the latest cycle from the Oregon Public Employees Union ($25,000 for a cumulative total of $50,000) and the carpenters' union ($25,000 for a total of $50,000), and the building trades union ($40,000).

Kulongoski also received contributions of $10,000 from the Oregon Realtors Association, $15,000 from Roseburg retiree James Ratzlaff, $10,000 from the nursing home association's PAC, $17,980 from the Oregon League of Conservation voters, $10,000 from Qwest, $16,300 from the Salem auto dealership Lulay's Car Connection, $10,000 from the Oregon Associated General Contractors, $10,000 from former Apple executive and current Portland venture capitalist Debi Coleman and $10,000 from Harsh Investment in Portland.

HOW THEY COMPARE

Figures for fund-raising period through Oct. 20

Republican Kevin Mannix:

Contributions: $2.25 million

Expenditures: $2.15 million

Cash on hand: $170,452

Balance/deficit: -$436,816

Democrat Ted Kulongoski:

Contributions: $2.13 million

Expenditures: $1.77 million

Cash on hand: $390,337

Balance/deficit: $375,839

Libertarian Tom Cox:

Contributions: $38,378

Expenditures: $30,201

Cash on hand: $8,186

Balance/deficit: $5,383

- Oregon Elections Division

CAPTION(S):

STARTING MONDAY A series of stories on the governor candidates' stands on education, the economy and public safety. INSIDE Campaign finance reports for the legislative races / 1D Food makers bankroll Measure 27 opposition / 3D