The top-two money winners in Salt Lake City's mayoral race have nothing to show for their fundraising prowess.
According to the latest campaign-finance disclosures, Keith Christensen and Jenny Wilson outpaced mayoral finalists Ralph Becker and Dave Buhler in the cash chase. But their journey ended a month ago with the Sept. 11 primary.
Disclosures for the losers - filed Thursday - show Christensen led the way with more than $641,000 in donations. He reports some $20,000 left in his campaign coffers.
Wilson raised nearly $520,000 and spent more than that, according to the report. Her campaign-account balance sits at a negative $11,054.
In the primary, Becker blitzed the field with 39 percent of the vote. Buhler, his Nov. 6 opponent, snagged 28 percent. Wilson (23 percent) and Christensen (8 percent) lagged behind despite out-raising - and out-spending - the victors, whose next financial disclosures are due Oct. 26.
Booze, bombast
and even 'crap'
Ah, the power of words in politics.
Suddenly, Salt Lake City residents have been treated to a mouthful, courtesy of mayoral "underdog" Dave Buhler.
The candidate's new billboards are up, which are sure to draw the eye of most drivers - even if the reason is unintended.
Take his (former) billboard on 600 S. State St. Spray-painted underneath Buhler's slogan about being reasonable is an eye-popping response: "Your An ***hole!" Grammar error notwithstanding, the pirated placard surely drew attention before it was removed.
Buhler's other, uh, tag lines - courtesy of ad camp Love Communications - also pop. He is either the underdog vs. "blueprint man," or the only candidate who loosened liquor laws.
And, always, Buhler is "the doer, not the dreamer."
Continuing the trend, the campaign issued this headline for a news conference advisory: "Dave to Talk Crap in Mayor's Race."
At the event, Buhler contrasted his environmental record with Becker's - at the city's sewage-treatment plant.
Becker backers
He has the Democrats on Utah's Capitol Hill. But Salt Lake City mayoral hopeful Ralph Becker insists his support cuts much deeper.
Last week, Becker perched on the steps of City Hall to announce "a unique cross section of local community leaders" who have endorsed the Democratic House leader.
Becker's latest endorsement comes from Salt Lake County Sheriff Jim Winder.
But backers also include scores of state lawmakers - Republicans and Democrats - council members from the city and county, downtown business owners, community-council activists and artists.
The campaign also highlighted the endorsements of composer Kurt Bestor and author-environmental activist Terry Tempest Williams.
"When I'm elected as mayor, I intend to not just listen to those who voted for me, but I will actively reach out and listen to those who didn't vote for me," Becker says.
"That is one of the hallmarks of who I am and what I believe."
Forget the Nobel, Rocky has 'spine'
He made headlines last week, drew raves and was honored for raising the world's antenna over ecological stewardship.
Al Gore? No, Rocky Anderson.
At the same time the former vice president won the Nobel Peace Prize for his wide-ranging efforts to draw attention to the dangers of global warming, the Salt Lake City mayor was in Arlington, Va., to receive something called the "Spine Award" from the Progressive Democrats of America.
Joined by Democratic members of Congress, Anderson earned the award for "surprising the nation with your bold and pioneering progressive leadership for peace, accountability, equality and ecological stewardship from an unexpected corner of the country," a release stated.
In other words, keeping the earth in balance.
How's that for an inconvenient truth, Al?
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