Tom Campbell, a graduate of Brigham Young University, swept into Salt Lake City on Monday for a whirlwind fundraiser and meeting with Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.

Campbell is running as a reformer. He says the future of the Republican Party hinges on his race against the embattled incumbent in Texas' 22nd Congressional District.

DeLay stepped down from his leadership post last year after being charged in Texas with campaign finance violations.

More recently, DeLay has been pilloried because of his ties to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who pleaded guilty to defrauding American Indian tribes of millions and is cooperating in an ongoing congressional corruption probe.

Campbell expects the Democratic Party to run against the "culture of corruption" in Washington. And

DeLay, Campbell said, will be "Exhibit A."

"This is an issue of national importance. What's at stake is the future of the Republican Party," Campbell said Monday. "Tom DeLay will lose. The question is whether he will lose to me or a liberal Democrat. If we clean up our house, that issue is not going to be available."

Campbell, a 51-year-old Texas attorney, was born in Utah and grew up in Washington, D.C.

He studied law at Baylor University, worked as an attorney in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration under the first President Bush and directed Bob Dole's rapid response team for the 1996 presidential campaign.

Campbell flew to Salt Lake City this week to raise money among the state's Republican faithful - including some of the party's most prominent figures.

Former congressional candidate and Huntsman adviser Tim Bridgewater hosted Campbell during a reception at a downtown law firm, the office of Sen. Orrin Hatch's son, Brent.

Donations for the fete ranged from $250 to $1,000.

Campbell has raised about $130,000 for the race, including $50,000 of his own money.

"The bottom line is: It runs on money," he said.