Campaign cash rolling in for Brewer, Bernd

Two lead financing race for PUD commission

GRANT COUNTY — Terry Brewer and Bob Bernd, rookie public utility commission candidates and veteran Grant County economic development boosters, have enough campaign cash rolling in to dwarf the paltry sums raised by their competitors.

As Brewer and Bernd have raised $23,507 and $12,149 respectively, the money race for two Grant County Public Utility District commissioner posts has begun to appear lopsided. Their competitors, W. Ron Baker and incumbent Bill Bjork, have yet to raise a dollar, while Moses Lake farmer Dale Walker has only $1,590, although candidates have another week before their campaigns become official.

Still, if history repeats itself, those with a campaign contribution deficit may end up winning come November.

Two years ago that's exactly what happened, according to state Public Disclosure Commission records.

Two-term commissioner Mike Conley received $3,700 more than his 2004 challenger, Greg Hansen of Moses Lake, in campaign contributions, but was upset on election night. In a separate 2004 race, first-term incumbent Tom Flint's slim campaign contribution deficit was also not a liability. Flint would eventually squeak by his challenger, Larry Williamson of Ephrata, with 52 percent of the vote.

For Brewer, who is the current executive director of the Grant County Economic Development Council, his biggest donors have been some of the county's biggest companies and largest energy users, raking in $2,000 from Solar Grade Silicon LLC; $2,000 from D&L Foundry, Inc. owner Jack Leftwich; and a total of $2,000 from the owners of Colley Management, Inc.

He also has garnered support from outside Washington with financing from Mississippi-based EKA Chemicals, Inc. and Michigan-based Guardian Industries Corporation, the public disclosure commission's records show.

"The fund-raising shows a lot of broad support and I feel good about that," Brewer said Friday.

The money comes with "no strings attached," he said. "I would be a commissioner for all the folks in Grant County."

Brewer is running for the District No. 1 commission seat currently held by Vera Claussen, who has not yet announced her intentions. The district encompasses Soap Lake and much of northeast Grant County

As of Friday, the public disclosure commission reported 99 contributions to Brewer, ranging from $2,000 to $49.50. Brewer said he has had no contact with any of the corporations as a candidate.

"I'm assuming it's based on my performance at the EDC," he said, later adding: "And because they know the kind of person I am, and what I stand for."

Bernd enjoys a similarly broad base of support, including from some of the Basin's largest industries. He had received 30 campaign contributions as of Friday, including separate $2,000 donations from SGS and D&L Foundry. Bernd's contributions range from $49.50 up to $2,000, with some of the largest individual contributions from EKA Chemicals and Chemi-Con Materials Corporations, which each donated $1,000 to his campaign.

Bernd, who is running for the District B at-large seat currently held by Bjork, views his contributions as a part of his broad base of support from his active involvement in leadership positions in Grant County and Moses Lake over the last few years.

"(I've) been very happy to have broad support of friends and businesses," Bernd said. "I hope we can mount a respectable campaign."

Bernd said the companies who have donated to his campaign have expressed frustration with PUD employees and the commissioners, who he said have not been responsive to their needs.

Bernd stated the people who contribute to his campaign are doing so because they believe in his message. He said he only has one promise for the people who contribute to his campaign.

"My only promise is I will be there, I will sit down, I will listen and I will be a player at the table," Bernd said.

Because of controversial issues at the PUD over the last two years, including the future of the Zipp fiber optic network and last fall's contentious industrial rate-setting process, a number of others have also expressed an interest in running for the two seats.

Any candidate, even those who have already put their hat in the ring, will face an uphill battle in matching the financial backing of Brewer and Bernd.

Baker said he hasn't sought campaign contributions. Still, he expressed concern about the hefty sum raised by Brewer, his opponent for the District No. 1 seat.

"I'll have plenty to say about it after the filing period," Baker said, declining to comment on the specific makeup of Brewer's campaign war chest.

Bjork has not commented on his fund-raising efforts, but confirmed Friday he will seek re-election this fall in his district, which includes the greater Moses Lake area.

Walker, a third District B at-large candidate, did not return a phone call seeking comment.