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Voters shouldn't expect lavish campaigns from two surprise candidates who signed up to run for state House seats in the 16th Legislative District late last week.
Neither Pasco Republican Tom Cornell, who is taking on longtime Rep. Bill Grant, D-Walla Walla, nor Kennewick Democrat Dante Montoya, who is taking on Rep. Maureen Walsh, R-College Place, say they'll raise much money.
The state Public Disclosure Commission allows legislative candidates to avoid filing regular campaign activity reports so long as they raise and spend no more than $5,000.
"I'm definitely going to try to keep under $5,000 because it's all coming out of my pocket," Cornell said.
He's running against Grant, believing the 11-term incumbent has been too supportive of spending bills that could help push the state into facing another budget deficit.
An emergency management specialist for Fluor Hanford, Cornell, 57, said he'd support smaller government and tax relief. He says he's more moderate on social issues, but considers himself officially "undecided" on matters such as abortion, assisted suicide and gay marriage.
"It's not a popular answer to say 'I'm not decided,' but that's the way it is," he said.
Two other Republicans -- Dayton's Terry Nealey and Kennewick's Bill Jesernig -- also have signed up to run for the seat.
Montoya, a 53-year-old certified public accountant, said he isn't yet ready to discuss his platform.
"I want to put all the ideas on paper," he said. "I'm doing my vision statement right now."
Montoya said he intends to run a serious campaign but that he, too, doesn't expect to raise or spend more than $5,000.
"That would be sufficient for me to run a campaign," he said.
* Chris Mulick: 360-753-0862; cmulick@tricityherald.com
