The race to become the next Salt Lake City mayor is well on its way to becoming the most expensive in city history.
Thursday offered the first glimpse into the finances of the 10 people vying to replace Mayor Rocky Anderson, who announced last summer he wouldn't seek a third term. And based on the figures, observers wouldn't be surprised if the winner spends $1 million by election time in November.
So far, the top Republicans in the officially nonpartisan election - and in the heavily Democratic city - are leading the money race.
Anderson's hand-picked successor, former City Councilman Keith Christensen, collected the most donations, raising $257,176. The wealthy business owner contributed $11,000 to his campaign, through his family trust and business, Wind River Petroleum.
Christensen had more donors, 20, willing to give the maximum $7,500 than the other candidates. They included Mayor Anderson, banker Spence Eccles, The Boyer Co., hotelier and downtown land owner Earl Holding and NAI Commercial Real Estate.
"I am honored by it," Christensen said of the donations. "I believe it to be a trust people are placing in me."
City Councilman Dave Buhler, also a Republican, raised $123,036. He said he was proud of what he deemed broad-based support, taking donations from 259 people or businesses, with 63 percent giving $100 or less.
"That's great grassroots support," Buhler said.
Several Buhler donors represented business interests: Zions Bank President A. Scott Anderson ($1,000), developer Alan Wood ($1,000), Big D Construction ($3,000), downtown landowner Dell Loy Hansen ($7,000), Okland Construction President Randy Okland ($3,000).
Democrat and Salt Lake County Councilwoman Jenny Wilson wasn't surprised the Republicans raked in more money. Noting that a member of the GOP hasn't led the city since the 1970s, she said, "They have the furthest to go. This race is not so much about money. It's really about a base."
She collected donations from the largest number of people, at about 350, raising $106,262. Donors included her father, former mayor Ted Wilson ($1,000), County Councilmen Joe Hatch and Randy Horiuchi ($1,500 and $1,000 respectively), Anheuser Busch ($2,000) and her campaign chairwoman and gay activist Jane Marquardt ($7,500).
Rep. Ralph Becker, who represents Capitol Hill and the lower Avenues at the Legislature, has refused to accept donations during the Legislature, which is in session through Feb. 28. Becker wanted to avoid "ethical complications."
He raised $76,406. The professional planner has support among planners, including City Councilman Soren Simonsen and lawmakers, including Jackie Biskupsi, Christine Johnson, Scott McCoy, Ross Romero and Roz McGee. Becker put $5,000 from his legislative committee into the mayoral campaign. He also accepted $2,000 from EnergySolutions and $2,500 from developer Rick Howa.
This year's race is clearly more competitive than the race in 2003. In that election's first February filing, Anderson had raised $68,024 and his top challenger, Frank Pignanelli, $100,426. In the end, Anderson spent $779,214, the most to date.
Kelly Patterson, director of Brigham Young University's Study of Elections and Democracy, isn't surprised by this year's high totals, considering the number and quality of candidates and the fact it's an open seat.
"These are the kinds of exigencies forced on candidates by the competition for this particular office," he said.
But what do the totals tell voters? The candidates with a lot of money hope it shows residents they have a lot of support.
Patterson said the dollar totals get media coverage, but mean little to average citizens, who won't pay attention to the campaign until later in the season.
But the donations do get noticed by the political elite, he said, who will be tapped to give even more.
hmay@sltrib.com
