This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2007, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
Call it the Legislature's liberal mainstay vs. the capital's remade moderate.
After finishing one-two in Tuesday's primary, Ralph Becker and Dave Buhler now must recharge their campaigns for a two-month showdown that culminates with Salt Lake City's Nov. 6 mayoral election.
So how did Buhler and Becker survive the energy-sapping summer campaign? What separated them among the nine-member mayoral field? And what will they have to do to succeed Rocky Anderson?
RALPH BECKER
How he got here: Fueled by arguably the most-mobilized foot soldiers, Becker escaped the primary the old-fashioned way: by beating the bricks.
His door-to-door efforts started early and remained steady. But the Utah House Democratic leader also did the best targeting key interest groups, according to Kirk Jowers, director of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics.
A fixture in the Legislature for a decade, Becker could count on support from his activist Avenues and Capitol Hill district. But he broadened that backing by appealing to voters as a successful urban planner, both even keeled and green.
That background didn't hurt, given that the city faces myriad development questions - from downtown to its neighborhoods.
Becker also had to come from behind in the money chase since he refused to accept donations until this year's legislative session had ended. He finished third in fundraising and had $88,000 left in the final weeks. But Becker saved some cash by opting for more mailers instead of a pricey poll. It paid off.
Where he stands: Becker argued City Hall can better partner with city schools to bolster education for kids of all ages. He flexed his progressive muscles by promising green buildings along with a network of bicycle paths that connect neighborhoods across the capital. He also vowed to loosen liquor laws. And he pledged to "fix" neighborhood plans within six years while pushing for locally owned business to energize the city.
According to polls, Becker started sluggishly, mired in third place much of the summer, but steadily picked up speed. Indeed, a sea of yellow Becker T-shirts flooded everything from festivals to the Farmers' Market. The last Salt Lake Tribune poll revealed he had the big mo and a slight edge in a three-way statistical tie.
How he can win: The conventional wisdom is that, in blue-hued Salt Lake City, Becker should be able to win in a walk. Anderson's endorsement is his for the asking, and the bulk of Jenny Wilson's third-place votes are expected to go to him as well. So Becker must further expand his considerable Avenues base, remind voters of his Democratic résumé and continue to look "mayoral." He must ratchet down his wonkish side and strive to show that his leadership skills can stretch beyond the legislative aisles to the microphones at City Hall.
DAVE BUHLER
How he got here: Saddled with a sour, hound-dog look, the two-term city councilman remade his image into a self-deprecating everyman ready to roll up his sleeves to clean up Rocky's mess.
Suddenly, Buhler was funny and, frankly, endearing. From Ferris Bueller parodies to ads in which he wore backpacks and hugged punching bags, Buhler became the likable anti-Rocky.
Overall, the race's lone Republican may have run "the most effective, broad-based campaign," according to Jowers. He certainly owned the GOP vote.
Buhler was first to endorse the controversial sky bridge, considered a key element of the LDS Church's $1 billion-plus City Creek Center. He parlayed that into "bridge-builder" billboards, arguing frequently that the tone in the mayor's office must change.
Buhler was a regular at neighborhood gatherings, where he prided himself on being a good listener.
He shored up votes from his native east bench, turned out a volunteer army for every public event and labored to expand his base.
Competitive in the money wars, Buhler also spent his bundle early, blanketing the roadways and airwaves with pithy pitches about "the reasonable guy." He took some $58,000 into the final weeks.
Where he stands: Buhler pushed the need to help city schools, boost public safety and ensure a vibrant downtown.
He pledged to preserve strong neighborhoods by working to improve infrastructure and increase homeownership. And he stressed better stewardship by watching wasteful spending.
How he can win: Now, his campaign must ignore the two-term mayor and focus on his fall foe. To capture the left-leaning electorate and become the first Republican elected Salt Lake City's mayor in more than three decades, Buhler must better promote his progressive side and widen his appeal beyond the city's minority GOP voting bloc. Buhler may have to prove he is more than reasonable. He may have to show he is at least moderate and, perhaps, dare we say, a bit liberal.