Freshman Democratic congressman Walt Minnick raised almost $330,000 in the last three months, far outdistancing any challengers.

"Folks have been pleased with Walt's independent voting record," said John Foster, Minnick's spokesman. "Fundraising is another measure of that, and a sign that people want him to stay in office."

Minnick has raised about $718,000 for the 2010 election and had about $481,000 in cash on June 30, according to the latest campaign-finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.

On the Republican side, Vaughn Ward of Eagle has a head start on his party's nomination in the 1st District and the chance to challenge Minnick in 2010. Ward raised about $70,000 between April and June, for a total of about $120,000 so far. Ward had about $105,000 in cash.

"Our strong fundraising effort shows that the people of Idaho believe in our message of fiscal discipline, less government and lower taxes," Ward said.

Gary Moncrief, a Boise State University political scientist who had Ward as a student, said Ward's start is impressive for a first-time candidate. "That's a lot of money for a challenger who's basically unheard of," Moncrief said.

Idaho House Republican Caucus Chairman Ken Roberts of McCall announced he was running a month ago. But Roberts did not file with the FEC as an official candidate until Thursday. His first finance report will be due Oct. 15.

Kevin McGowan, campaign manager for Roberts, predicted his boss will overcome Ward's cash advantage. "He's going to have a great ability to raise money given his position in majority leadership in the House," McGowan said.

Moncrief said Roberts needs a strong third quarter. Without one, Moncrief said, "I think he's going to have some problems."

Another announced candidate, Dr. Allan Salzberg of Boise, has not filed with the FEC as a candidate or filed a finance report.

Republican Bill Sali, whom Minnick unseated in November after one term, reported raising just $20 in the second quarter. He has asked supporters to pray in an effort to help him make a decision about running in 2010. Sali has about $110,000 in debt from the 2008 campaign. He loaned the campaign about $6,000 in the latest quarter.

Minnick spent $2.6 million to defeat Sali, who spent $1.2 million. Now that Minnick's an incumbent, he's raising more from political action committees. In the second quarter, Minnick got about $166,000 from PACs. A member of the Financial Services and Agriculture committees, Minnick has tapped into Wall Street and agriculture.

He received contributions from Bank of America, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, Prudential Financial, U.S. Bank and Zions Bank. Agriculture support came from the sugar industry, beer wholesalers, egg producers and produce growers.

Minnick also received PAC money from AFLAC, AT&T, Boeing, Burlington Northern Sante Fe, International Paper, Potlatch, Pfizer and Qwest and associations representing Realtors, the natural gas industry, insurance agents, hospitals, physicians and pharmacists.

He got money from traditional Democratic sources - unions representing machinists, teachers and transit workers. Contributions also came from prominent Idaho Republicans: former U.S. Sen. Steve Symms, former Idaho Power CEO Jim Bruce and lobbyist Roy Eiguren.

Minnick owes various creditors about $75,000. Foster said that debt will be retired soon. Minnick's personal loan of $250,000 to the campaign also remains unpaid.

The 1st District covers western Idaho from Nevada to Canada, including Canyon County and part of Ada County west of Cole Road.

Dan Popkey: 377-6438