This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Democrat Ben McAdams has been endorsed by the Utah Public Employees Association (UPEA).UPEA Executive Director Audry Wood said McAdams, a state senator and adviser to Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker, has displayed an openness to her group's members. "Employees will benefit from his non-partisan approach to problem solving," she said.The UPEA has more than 8,000 members statewide, including representation in county government. Wood said the association is working to preserve employee benefits after salaries were cut 3 percent in response to the 2008 recession and the 2010 Legislature changed the public employee retirement system.Council candidates receiving UPEA endorsements in the November election were Republican Joseph Demma (At-large seat), Republican Michael Jensen (District 2), Democrat Sam Granato (District 4) and Republican Max Burdick (District 6).Meanwhile, Republican County Mayor candidate Mark Crockett is using former President Bill Clinton's fundraising efforts for Democratic foe Ben McAdams as a come-on to supporters to finance his campaign.Asking for donations of $5 to $500, a Crockett campaign email said "try as he might to paint himself as a moderate and use Republican talking points, [McAdams'] voting record is more in line with that of a Salt Lake City Democrat. It's clear the Democrats are willing to call in the big guns to maintain their hold on Salt Lake County, but together we can send a message that Utahns believe in limited government."Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch and West Valley City Mayor Mike Winder, Crockett's primary election foe, are holding a joint fundraiser for the GOP nominee at noon Friday at the Alta Club in Salt Lake City.
— Mike Gorrell