The decision exempts Engstrom from filing campaign disclosure reports with the Alaska Public Offices Commission, the government entity that regulates campaign finance laws. Candidates who operate under the exempt status are still subject to campaign finance laws, including restrictions on contributions from corporations and labor unions.

But Engstrom says he's a serious candidate and may switch to non-exempt status if he reaches the $5,000 threshold.

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"It was just a preliminary filing," Engstrom said on Wednesday. "I definitely am going to spend some time talking to people on the street and at their homes and getting acquainted with what their suggestions are on improvements and what they prioritize as their issues."

APOC assistant director Christina Ellingson said prior to 1997, candidates raising more than $1,000 had to comply with campaign disclosure laws.

Since then no House candidate filing under the exempt status has won a seat in the Legislature, Ellingson said.

Kerttula has run three successful campaigns for the District 3 seat, raising more than a quarter of a million dollars since 1998. During her first primary race Kerttula raised $108,722 in her campaign against Democratic contenders Rosemary Hagevig and Amy Skilbred. Skilbred, who dropped out of the primary early, raised $16,295 and Hagevig raised $44,065.

Kerttula more than doubled her Republican opponent Mike Race's contributions in 2000, raising $43,318, compared to Race's $18,626. She faced Race a third time in 2002 but raised $25,370, only a few thousand more than the Republican.