Post-convention, $32,504 flowed to Ellis' campaign, while Walker brought in $9,050 - part of which came from an early June fundraiser co-hosted by Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, House Speaker Greg Curtis and other Republican power brokers.

However, during that same period, Walker outspent Ellis more than 2-to-1, with a hefty chunk - $9,894 - funding billboards in three Utah County cities.

"We're thinking the turnout will be in Utah County - if there is a turnout," said Steve Hunter, Walker's campaign manager. "It will be interesting to see if we crack 12 percent."

Ellis, 48, is chief deputy state treasurer, while Walker, 32, is finishing his second term in the Utah House. They will square off in the June 24 primary, and both are sending mailers and running radio ads.

Disputes over Walker's qualifications for the job, along with a bribery allegation, muddied this normally low-key race.

In late May, Ellis filed a complaint with the lieutenant governor, alleging that Walker offered him a job and hefty pay hike in March if he would drop out of the race.

Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert chose to delay any determination until after the June 24 primary election. Ellis had hoped Herbert would decide if the allegation was frivolous or had merit, in which case he would forward the matter to the Attorney General's Office for investigation.

Herbert's refusal to act led Ellis to seek relief from the Utah Supreme Court, which sided with Herbert, saying he had considerable discretion to make a decision within a "reasonable" time.

One Walker mailer, sent to likely voters statewide, accused Ellis of running a negative campaign by raising the issue late in the campaign.

"We feel that Richard brought this on for political reasons," Hunter said. "And we think it should be investigated for that reason."

In a recent interview with The Salt Lake Tribune's editorial board, Ellis said political gain played no part in it.

A news tip about the alleged job offer - confirmed but remembered quite differently by both candidates - led to a story that ran in The Tribune prior to Ellis filing his complaint.

"Rather than having it play out in the media, I thought it was appropriate to send it through the proper channels," Ellis said.

Sen. Lyle Hillyard, R-LoganÂ, endorsed Ellis earlier this week, telling KVNU radio that professionalism mattered more in the state treasurer's job than conservative principles.

"I haven't talked to either of them about what happened, but knowing both of them quite well, I can't imagine that Walker proposed a bribe . . . or that Ellis fabricated this," Hillyard said.

cmckitrick@sltrib.com