This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2007, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Maybe Salt Lake City's mayoral hopefuls were just names before, but expect to start seeing their mugs in mailers, across newspapers and on TV. And soon, their voices will pepper radio airwaves.
For the first time, the 2007 field vying to be the next mayor is spending significant bucks on pre-paid media buys.
But the fundraising lineup remains the same as two months ago, according to the latest cycle of campaign-finance disclosures filed Wednesday.
Keith Christensen, who has corralled $556,996, still holds a healthy lead. Jenny Wilson, the front-runner according to polls, is on his heels at $345,857. While Dave Buhler ($274,537) and Ralph Becker ($263,935) still are neck and neck for third place.
J.P. Hughes, the only other candidate to raise money, has banked $50,955.
That trend in the money chase comes less than six weeks before capital voters dash to the polls to select two finalists in the race to replace Rocky Anderson.
"You guys are pretty expensive in the media world," Christensen joked Wednesday. "And you all want cash in advance."
Buhler, who with $93,939, has the least cash on hand, says much of the recent spending will carry through to the Sept. 11 primary.
Wilson bested the pack during the summer fundraising round with $104,409. She has $114,660 left. By contrast, Christensen raised the least ($47,497) but spent the most ($149,583), and has the most remaining ($262,558).
The numbers cement Wilson's standing in the race, according to Kirk Jowers, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics.
"It really helps solidify Jenny Wilson as the front-runner since she raised the most money," he said. "Keith has the most ground to cover. He's going to need every cent of it. The other three are going to have to be strategic" with their spending.
A recent Deseret Morning News/KSL poll showed Wilson maintaining a lead followed by Buhler. Becker and Christensen were tied for third, while more than 25 percent of voters still are undecided, according to the poll.
In a statement, Wilson said the campaign "exceeded" its fundraising goal, noting it netted 312 donors during the latest filing period.
Buhler, too, said he exceeded his financial goal. And he pointed to a contributor tally that now tops 500.
"I'm very proud of that," he said.
Since late May, the best fundraising performance (behind Wilson) belongs to Becker, who notched $85,643 and another sea of individual donors.
"We feel good," said Becker noting he has most money ($138,101) on hand behind Christensen. "We're right on track."
Still, Christensen has nearly double the balance of any other candidate. He said he is "comfortable" but vowed to be "careful" with the money.
"We worked very hard to raise money early so we can focus on campaign issues at this point," he said.
Still, with the earlier-than-normal primary, Jowers warns the field cannot afford to get stingy.
"They can't wait now," he said. "They have to start spending. If they wait until the first week of September, it will probably be too late."
Donors for the big four span the business and political ranks along with family and well-heeled friends.
Wilson and Becker snagged money from unions, politicos and the Gastronomy restaurant group among others. Christensen received funds from the Realtors, small businesses and a prominent real-estate broker. Buhler got cash from the insurance and hotel industry as well as from a host of former officeholders.
The bulk of support for Hughes, a surgeon, comes from the medical field and himself.
Four fringe candidates reported zero dollars raised.
Two incumbents who hope to cling to their City Council seats also have failed to court any cash.
Nancy Saxton, who bowed out of the mayor's chase to seek re-election in District 4, raised nothing since late May. She reports $889 cash on hand.
It's a different story with Saxton's main competitors. Council hopeful Luke Garrott has raised $11,510, while Brian Doughty reports $4,508.
Councilman Van Turner, the District 2 incumbent who faces no primary, has no contributions and no balance. But he lent himself $1,392, mostly for campaign signs. His challenger, Michael Clara, has gathered $3,099.
In the District 6 open seat contest, J.T. Martin leads the way with $21,931. Roger McConkie hooked $16,865, while Ellen Reddick reports $4,995.