This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2004, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Scott Matheson Jr. just had his best six weeks of fund raising in this election year, raking in more than $740,000. But it still wasn't enough to keep up with financial juggernaut Jon Huntsman Jr.
Overall in the race for the state's top office, Huntsman has outspent Matheson by nearly 2-to-1, $3.3 million to $1.68 million.
But Huntsman had to fight off a field of eight candidates for the GOP nomination, through a May convention and June primary election. Matheson picked up the Democratic nomination without a fight.
"We're right on target with what we said we were going to do -- between $3.5 million and $4 million," said Huntsman campaign manager Jason Chaffetz.
Matheson's campaign also says it is on track to meet its goal of raising and spending $2 million through Election Day.
"We feel like we're in a good position heading into the home stretch," said Mike Zuhl, Matheson's campaign manager. "We've done very well raising money. It reflects the fact that people believe this is a competitive campaign."
In other big-money races, the political issue committee (PIC) opposing the proposed constitutional amendment toughening Utah's ban on gay marriage has raised more than $704,000 and spent nearly $603,000. That compares with about $104,000 raised and $93,000 spent by the PIC financing most of the pro-amendment ads.
Financial disclosures for some of the other PICs involved in the amendment fight were not available on the state elections Web site.
In the race for Utah attorney general, incumbent Republican Mark Shurtleff continues to overwhelm Democrat Greg Skordas in fund raising. Shurtleff has raised $642,000 and spent $621,000. He loaned his campaign $50,000 from his personal funds earlier this month. Skordas has taken in $213,000 and spent $170,000.
Utah's two gubernatorial candidates are burning up a good chunk of their campaign funds by blanketing television with their ads.
Huntsman has loaned his campaign $275,000 and the campaign has taken out separate bank loans totaling $350,000. He also has received more than $320,000 from Huntsman Chemical Co. or Huntsman family members, many of whom hold executive posts with the company.
Matheson has not given or loaned his campaign any money.
The single largest unrelated contributor to Huntsman is the Republican Governors Association, which has donated $113,000 in cash and research. Patrick Byrne, founder and chief executive of Overstock.com, was next with $75,000 in contributions. Robert Lichfield, founder of a controversial network of schools for troubled teens, has pitched in $60,000.
During the latest reporting period, running from Sept. 11 to Oct. 21, Utah mall magnate and U.S. Ambassador John Price contributed $26,000 and his son, Steve Price, put another $25,000 into Huntsman's campaign. David Matlin, a New York City resident described as a "family friend," also donated $25,000. Utah entrepreneur Steve Creamer, one of the founders of a huge landfill in central Utah, contributed $25,000.
Matheson's largest contributor is the Democratic Governors Association. The group poured $275,000 into Matheson's campaign in the past six weeks, on top of $105,000 previously reported. Annette Cumming and Ian Cumming, a founder of Leucadia Corp., contributed just under $74,000.
Bruce Bastian, a founder of WordPerfect and a gay-rights activist, contributed $50,000 in the latest reporting period. Bastian also has donated $335,000 to opposing the gay-marriage amendment. The Utah Education Association, which has endorsed Matheson, recently donated $31,000, bringing its total campaign support to more than $48,000. The Utah Public Employees Association has contributed $38,000 of in-kind help to Matheson.