Ruderman maintains financial advantage Ilagan

State Sen. Russell Ruderman gave his re-election bid a boost at last year’s end with a $25,000 loan, helping him maintain a sizable fundraising advantage over challenger Greggor Ilagan.

State Sen. Russell Ruderman gave his re-election bid a boost at last year’s end with a $25,000 loan, helping him maintain a sizable fundraising advantage over challenger Greggor Ilagan.

Campaign finance records show Ilagan, a Hawaii County Councilmember representing Puna, raised $8,412 during the last half of 2015, with $5,500 of that coming from a fundraising event in Honolulu.

At the end of the reporting period, he had about $850 left after giving nearly half of the funds away through scholarships or to community groups.

Ruderman, owner of Island Naturals, had $31,173.38 in his campaign account as of Dec. 31.

He received $985 in donations from July 1 through Dec. 31 from contributors Kapapala Ranch and Pahoa resident Lorn Douglas.

Ilagan, who plans to run against Ruderman in the Democratic primary, received 14 donations during that time period, including a $500 contribution from himself.

None of the other contributors appeared to be from the senate district, covering Puna and parts of Ka‘u. Senate President Ronald Kouchi of Kauai, who helped Ilagan organize his fundraiser, contributed $500 from his campaign account.

In addition to Ilagan, campaign finance records, which were updated Monday, showed Reps. Clift Tsuji, Joy San Buenaventura and Mark Nakashima gifting campaign funds to community organizations.

Sen. Josh Green’s mammoth warchest got a little smaller during the recent reporting period.

Records show he raised $5,200 but spent $17,329, bringing his total down slightly to $515,827.

Green (D-Kona, Ka‘u) has said he is considering a run for governor or lieutenant governor. Expenses included $2,000 a month for a campaign consultant.

Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune- herald.com.