Herbert opens floodgates for bigger donations

Check your mailboxes -- and your wallet.

Invitations to the governor's Oct. 30 fundraising gala went out last week, and the amounts sponsors are paying to attend the black-tie extravaganza have shot way up.

That's because Republican Gov. Gary Herbert has decided not to limit the size of the checks he is willing to take from big-money sponsors. A handful already have signed up, forking over $50,000 apiece, to be top-tier "Presenting Sponsors."

Over the past several years, Herbert's predecessor, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., had a self-imposed limit of $10,000 for gala sponsors, although he did take larger contributions in his first year in office. Gov. Mike Leavitt took donations of up to $25,000.

Herbert's spokeswoman, Angie Welling, said governors have handled fundraising differently, for the gala and otherwise.

"Governor Herbert has chosen not to institute the $10,000 cap that applied under the last administration, but has disclosed those top donors prominently, so there is no question as to who they are," she said. "This is consistent with the governor's position on campaign finance and disclosure."

The top donors to Herbert's political-action committee are listed on the invitation and are on his campaign Web site. He has not formed a gubernatorial election committee for the 2010 race, allowing him to avoid reporting donations.

Herbert has said he opposes limits on campaign contributions but favors transparency.

Huntsman long had supported such caps and warned that Utah's wide-open system -- it is one of five states with no restrictions -- "is ground for mischief. I think we can do better than that and we should do better than that."

Herbert aims to raise about $500,000 in the exclusive bash and the early flood of money and high-dollar donors is making that target look easily reachable.

"The governor has received broad-based support for the gala," Welling said, "and is expected to exceed his original goal."

Sponsors already have offered more than $350,000 to attend. Proceeds go to Herbert's PAC, Friends of Gary R. Herbert.

The list of Herbert's $50,000 donors includes familiar names and first-timers: Merit Medical, Wadsworth Brothers Construction and, jointly, Deseret Power and Utah Rural Electric PAC.

It also includes a check from the Utah Association of Realtors, a group that consistently has been a leading backer of Herbert, who was the association's president.

"Governor Herbert has been a pretty good voice for rural Utah, so we helped him out there," said Michael Peterson, executive director of the Utah Rural Electric Association.

Peterson said it marks the first time the association has thrown its support behind a candidate. The PAC, which represents rural electrical cooperatives, has been building its account over time and decided to help Herbert. The PAC kicked in $20,000, Peterson said, while Deseret Power paid $30,000.

"It certainly is a lot of money for us," Peterson said, "and we've raised that through our PAC and thought, 'Well, here is someone who's been very support of rural Utah.' "

Wadsworth Brothers Construction is one of the state's fastest-growing builders. It has received $137 million in state construction contracts since June 2008, according to state records.

As 'Presenting Sponsors,' these companies will get their name on goodies given away during the event, receive special on-stage recognition, have three reserved tables in a prime location and will attend a post-gala VIP event with Herbert and Lt. Gov. Greg Bell.

The $25,000 donors include Bill Barrett Corp., a leading oil and gas developer in the Rocky Mountain region; Layton Cos., one of the state's largest construction and engineering firms; Workers Compensation Fund; and Rancho Markets, a chain of Latino-oriented grocery stores that has not been politically active in the past.

Entertainment for the evening will include several Broadway-style production numbers featuring Herbert's daughter-in-law, former "American Idol" contestant Carmen Rasmussen.

gehrke@sltrib.com