Some already appear flush, while others have yet to bank a penny, according to the first wave of 2006 financial-disclosure reports.
Significant amounts already have surfaced - and mostly been spent - in the district attorney's contest, where Democratic hopeful Sim Gill reports more than $11,000 raised during the filing period, and Republican Lohra Miller lists almost $8,500.
On the County Council front, Republican Jeff Allen, tapped for the District 5 seat by the departing Cort Ashton, has loaned himself more than $11,000, while incumbent Assessor Lee Gardner has $12,000 in the bank.
Contrast that with Auditor Sean Thomas and Clerk Sherrie Swensen, both incumbents, who have yet to report a 2006 contribution.
Besides the open district attorney slot - Democratic DA David Yocom is retiring - and four council seats, November's ballot will showcase the county's seven remaining independent offices, including sheriff.
In that race, Democrat Jim Winder ($7,000) and Republican Brent Cardall ($2,000) are off to decent starts. But they have a long way to catch Sheriff Aaron Kennard, who despite banking just $500 this period, has more than $56,000 in his campaign account. A recent poll also showed the sheriff holds a comfortable early lead with prospective voters.
In most cases, candidates have staked themselves with the early season cash needed for filing fees, fliers, business cards and brochures. But some already have piled up private donations, typically ranging between $100 and $500. Gill also got $1,000 from Mayor Peter Corroon's brother, a real-estate salesman.
Perhaps the most intriguing November matchup pits Democratic incumbent Jim Bradley against Janice Auger, a well-connected Republican and former Taylorsville mayor, for a countywide council seat. Auger has raised nearly $4,500, including $1,000 from Sen. Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville - while Bradley reports $650, all from private donors.
Another race likely to generate interest places incumbent GOP county Recorder Gary Ott vs. Democrat Leslie Reberg, a former county official, who did a controversial stint following Roger Ball as the Committee of Consumer Services director. She lists just under $2,000, with half donated by a title company,
Ott, who has loaned his campaign more than $7,000 of his own money, recently came under fire for business conducted with a software company being investigated by the auditor's office.
On the council side, Democrat Joe Hatch has a big fundraising lead with nearly $6,000 in the District 1 race. Two of his donors: Corroon's deputy mayor and chief administrative officer.
In the District 3 contest, Democratic challenger Diane Turner has more than $2,000 while her incumbent GOP opponent David Wilde has 50 bucks in the bank.
Two county candidates - a Republican in the District 3 race and a third-party county clerk hopeful did not file before the deadline. They will have 14 days to do so, once they receive a written notice.
djensen@sltrib.com
What's in the war chests
The 2006 financial disclosures for key Salt Lake County races (incumbent is first name listed):
l District Attorney (no incumbent): Sim Gill (D) $11,640.77; Lohra Miller (R) $8,462.43; Kent Morgan (R) $1,920.00; Rob Latham (Libertarian) $2,957.60
l Auditor: Sean Thomas (R) $0; Jeffrey Hatch (D) $1,400.00
l Clerk: Sherrie Swensen (D) $0; Carrie Dickson (R) $3,283; Charles Bonsall (Libertarian) $580.
l Recorder: Gary Ott (R) $7,460; Leslie Reberg (D) $1,835
l Sheriff: Aaron Kennard (R) $520; Jim Winder (D) $7,000; Brent Cardall (R) $2,081
l County Council (at-large): Jim Bradley (D) $650; Janice Auger (R) $4,490; Don Johnstun (Libertarian) $229; Chuck Tripp (Desert Green Party) $0
l County Council (District 3): David Wilde (R) $50; Diane Turner (D) $2,038; Steven Shamy (D) $153
