Idaho Supreme Court Curt McKenzie’s campaign debt has swelled to more than $54,000 as the election approaches, even as he benefits from independent campaign expenditures by three groups. McKenzie reported loaning his campaign $7,500 of his own money on Wednesday, plus another $11,532 in late October, on top of his existing debt of $35,689. McKenzie has drawn $6,850 in campaign contributions since Oct. 1, while spending $21,377; year to date, he’s reported raising $100,964 including loans, and spending $89,808. McKenzie’s donors in October were largely GOP state legislators and political action committees. He received $1,000 on Oct. 27 from RAI Services Co., the parent company of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Meanwhile, rival Robyn Brody reported raising $68,024 since Oct. 1 and $285,787 year-to-date; she has $12,752 in debt to her law firm, Brody Law Offices. Her campaign donations in October largely came from other lawyers.

McKenzie has benefited from independent campaign spending by three groups: The Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry’s “Idaho Prosperity Fund” PAC, the Idaho Realtors PAC, and Canyon Outdoor LLC, a sign company that lost an Idaho Supreme Court case in June over an easement for a billboard; the court’s decision, written by Justice Roger Burdick, was unanimous. Canyon Outdoor reported spending $11,034 for independent campaigning for McKenzie, including billboards, literature and production.

The Realtors PAC reported spending $17,500 for literature and postage in favor of McKenzie’s campaign just yesterday. Idaho Prosperity Fund reported spending $30,000 Oct. 25 on a broadcast advertising campaign in support of McKenzie.