Idaho Chooses Life

Idaho Chooses Life is one of the more visible pro-life (no, not the person formerly known as Marvelous Marvin) PACs in Idaho, so its campaign finances are worth a look. (ICL PAC is closely related to Idaho Chooses Life Alliance, but the principals appear to be trying to keep them at least ostensibly separate. More on that later.) I don't see anything questionable, just trying to shine some light into the workings of a controversial organization. The most interesting point is that David Ripleyis paid quite a bit of money through this PAC.

As you can see below, in 2007 ICL PAC started out with $6,479, received $41,359 in contributions, and spent $31,635.

In 2007, ICL PAC received 204 donations. Some of the more interesting are:

$5,000, Larry Knapp, Star
$1,000 Dean Goss, Nampa
$4,100, Norm Brown, Caldwell
$100, Gerry Sweet (yes, that Gerry Sweet)
$200, Dennis Mansfield (2 x $100)
$250, John Vander Woude
$100, Sen. Russel Fulcher (a good investment)
$1,000 Bill Litster (the lawyer who advertises via magnet)
$350, Curt Bowers ($100 & $250) (a good investment)
$100, Shirley McKague

Much of the money was spent on printing, mailing, and what not. However, $8,716 was paid to David Ripley as “consulting fees.” See itemization below.

On November 12, ICL gave $1,000 to “Fulcher Reelection Committee.” Fulcher’s $100 donation is dated November 30. On Nov 12, ICL gave $1,000 to “Bowers Reelection Committee.” Bowers donated $250 on March 1, and $100 on December 6. Both men donated in earlier cycles as well.

Troupis Law Office got $250 on Feb 10, for consulting.

Lifeline Pregnancy Center, Nampa, got $350 on April 17, as a donation.

House Leadership Victory Fund, $500 on Nov 14.

Phil Kline, $4,274 for “honorarium and reimbursement of travel expenses.”

Ripley received:
1/2, $900
1/13, $350
1/23, $220
2/7, $310
2/15, $320
2/26, $370
3/16, $600
4/13, $740
4/28, $200
5/18, $360
6/15, 340
6/30, $320
7/24, $500
9/2, $436
9/14, $240
10/26, $520
10/30, $100
11/12, $1,000
11/22, $440
12/4, $300
12/13, $150

In 2005, David Ripley received $10,595.69 in consulting fees from ICL PAC, and $2,369.55 as expense reimbursement, for a total of $12,965.24. In the same year Wendy Ripley received $4,150, which was recorded as loan repayment.