County commission candidate boasts deep pockets

Kevin Bouchey is out to a huge fundraising lead over incumbent Ron Gamache and two other candidates in what is becoming a contentious race for a Yakima County Commission seat.

Bouchey, a Toppenish farmer, has received $58,371 in donations, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission. That's more than 15 times the $3,675 raised to date by fellow Republican Gamache, who is running for his third term as commissioner of District 2.

"That looks like overkill, doesn't it?" Gamache said, adding that he believes he can win despite the fundraising disparity.

Gamache is fourth among four District 2 candidates in fundraising totals. Democrat Jesse Farias, the mayor of Wapato, is second with just under $7,000. Republican Dan Olson, a Union Gap councilman, is third with about $4,500.

If elected, either Farias or Olson would be required to resign their positions with their respective city government boards.

The district covers the part of the county west of the Yakima River from Tieton Drive in Yakima south to the Klickitat County line.

Several donors who supported Gamache in the 2000 and 2004 elections, including the influential political action committee Affordable Housing Council of Central Washington, have switched their allegiance to Bouchey.

Having "tested the waters" before deciding to run, Bouchey said he knew some of Gamache's former supporters now wanted someone else.

"In 2004, Mr. Gamache was re-elected (based on) being the incumbent and his family name," Bouchey said.

Among Bouchey's other notable donors are elected officials such as Yakima Councilman Bill Lover and former Sen. Alex Deccio, who gave $100 and $75, respectively.

Gamache said he recognizes Bouchey as a formidable opponent, but he said the challenger "has nothing new to give the community" and called his abundance of campaign signs around the county "obnoxious." He plans to counter Bouchey's fundraising by being frugal and by going door to door to meet voters in person.

"I'm not going to try to keep up with him (in advertising)," Gamache said. "It's a waste of money."

Farias, too, said he is resigned to finishing behind Bouchey in dollars donated. But, as the lone Democrat in the race, he feels good about his chances of finishing among the top two vote-
getters in the August primary and advancing to the November general election.

"I feel comfortable that I will be there," Farias said.

If that's the case, he expects he'll need at least another $20,000 to really compete for the position.

"Sometimes, I feel like more money should be coming in, but people have been very generous," said Farias, whose largest donation is $2,000 from the state Democratic Party. "We'll be doing more fundraising soon."

Olson did not respond to messages seeking comment.

Despite having nearly doubled the previous high for recent Yakima County Commission races -- Mike Leita's $31,955 in 2004 -- Bouchey said he has more fundraising left to do.

Bouchey wants to raise at least $75,000. He plans to use most of that for advertising and campaign literature "to inform people who Kevin Bouchey is."

Gamache, who declined to state a fundraising goal, said he doesn't need to spend as much for name recognition because he's the incumbent.

"I'm just going to run my campaign," he said.

* Pat Muir can be reached at 577-7693 or pmuir@yakimaherald.com.

Top donors to each candidate

Kevin Bouchey, total $58,371 raised ($16,469 spent)

* $10,000: Zirkle Fruit Co.

* $2,500: Affordable Housing Council of Central Washington

* $2,000: Brulotte Farms

* $1,500: DeRuyter Brothers Dairy

* $1,500: Philip Sealock

Jesse Farias, total $6,900 ($55 spent)

* $2,000: Washington State Democratic Central Committee

* $1,500: Wolf Den restaurant

* $1,000: Harley Menard

* $1,000: Yakima County Democratic Central Committee

* $250: Jose Sanchez

Dan Olson, total $4,525 ($672 spent)

* $1,000: Centercal Properties LLC

* $1,000: Medstar Cabulance Service

* $400: Billie Cox

* $250 (each): Dan Leslie Roofing Inc.; Inland Fire Protection Inc.; Patricia McDonald; Richard Rasmussen

Ron Gamache, total $3,675 ($851 spent)

* $2,000: Z&O LLC

* $250: Jim and Pam Egan

* $100 (each): Bill Almon, Walt Cure, Dave and Patty Dion, Rick Gagnier, Bill Garvin, J.R. Hale, Joann Miller-Rose, Anita Monoian, Dick Twiss

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