County donors back Dancer
The Register - Guard
David Steves
August 24, 2008

The ex-TV anchor draws funds from the local timber industry and Republican supporters in the race for secretary of state

Republican Rick Dancer is leaning on Lane County donors - which means lots of timber money - for his secretary of state bid.

Dancer has generated $139,508 in contributions so far. That's a fraction of the $806,215 his Democratic rival, Kate Brown, has raised. But Dancer has yet to spend significant sums, leaving him with a balance of $86,005 as of Friday, according to the Oregon Elections Division's campaign finance database. That exceeds Brown's $48,720 balance.

Dancer spent two decades as a TV reporter and anchor in Eugene before entering the secretary of state race in March. He said that's a big reason his list of contributors reads like a who's who of Lane County businesses and individuals who typically give to Republican candidates.

"In almost 21 years in a community, you get to know a lot of people and those are the folks who are going to be willing to give you the money," Dancer said.

Lane County contributors account for at least $77,926, or 56 percent of Dancer's campaign dollars.

Top area contributors include Seneca Jones ($27,000), the Pap Group ($5,000), Industrial Finishes ($5,000), and Monaco Coach CEO Kay Toolson ($3,000).

Dancer said he is working to expand his circle of financial supporters beyond his home base, and is beginning to find fundraising success elsewhere in Oregon.

Among economic sectors and interest groups, Dancer has gotten the greatest support from the timber industry. Individuals and companies with ties to the forest products sector have combined to give Dancer at least $68,280, or 49 percent of his money.

Top donors include Seneca Jones, Freres Lumber Co. ($10,000) Lone Rock Timber Management Co. ($5,000), Murphy Hardwood Plywood ($5,000) and the Guistina family and its timber-related businesses ($5,000).

Dancer said he's attracted support from the timber industry in part because, if elected, he would serve on the Oregon Land Board, which helps determine logging levels on state forests.

Another reason, he said, is that in Lane County, the timber industry and its leaders are stalwart Republican donors. And like other Republicans, Dancer said, these supporters want a secretary of state from their party to handle the task of redrawing legislative district boundaries.

"That really is the big issue with the timber industry," Dancer said. "It's a huge issue for them."

By the time the Nov. 4 election arrives, Dancer said he expects to have a far more diverse portfolio of support, with local donors and the timber industry accounting for only a fraction of his financial backing.

"My hope is that, now that the pump is primed, that others will come along and do the same thing," he said. "That's what we're working on every day."

Dancer's opponent, Brown, said she is not surprised to have a smaller war chest as the fall race approaches. Brown pointed out that most of the money she raised for the contest went toward her successful bid for the Democratic nomination in May, when she faced three other candidates. Dancer was unchallenged on the Republican side.

"I have a solid record of fundraising and we have done a really good job of raising money around the state," she said.

Brown's top sources of money have come from organized labor ($135,191) and gay rights groups ($68,419).

She said her contributions have come from a diverse array of individuals and groups, including businesses, which typically favor Republicans. Brown has collected $102,653 from business entities, according to the state Elections Division, which exceeds the $85,630 Dancer has received from such donors.

Secretary of state money race

Rick Dancer, Republican

Raised: $139,508

Current balance: $86,005

Top givers: Timber, $68,280 (49% of total); development, $18,750 ( 13% of total)

Kate Brown, Democrat

Raised: $806,215

Current balance: $48,720

Top givers: Organized labor, $135,191 (17% of total); gay rights, $68,419 (8% of total)