Utahns are contributing a significant chunk of the money being raised nationwide by Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney as he prepares for a possible run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008.

A Deseret Morning News examination of records from four states as well as from the federal government found that Utah donations account for nearly 45 percent of the more than $1.6 million raised so far by Romney's leadership political action committees.

And the $732,500 collected from 50 Utahns is being spent almost entirely out of state, mainly to support Republican candidates and causes in places like Fayette County, Iowa; Columbia, S.C.; and West Conshohocken, Penn.

The only money coming back to Utah is being used to pay a couple of consultants, including Kirk Jowers, head of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics, who serves as general counsel for the PACs, all called Commonwealth.

Jowers said it shouldn't be any surprise that Romney would return repeatedly to Utah to raise money — especially given his popularity here after leading the successful 2002 Winter Games.

"The people he knew from the Olympics are kind of obvious to initially help him with his causes," he said. "I would hope Utahns and everyone would be magnanimous enough that when someone can help get America to a better place, they wouldn't be provincial."

The other consultant from Utah is Max Farbman, who once raised money for Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s PAC. Farbman, who is doing the same now for Romney's PACs, referred questions about his work to Commonwealth PAC officials.

Most of the money reported through the most recent filing deadlines from Utah was raised at a private event held in Salt Lake City last March. A similar fund-raiser was held in Orem last Wednesday, and another is set for Logan Monday.

An invitation for a fund-raiser planned for Ogden Monday, which was later canceled, listed ticket prices of $1,000 per couple for dinner, $2,000 per couple for a "VIP briefing reception," and $3,500 per couple for a "private photo reception" with Romney.

The amount of money raised from the Orem and Logan events, as well as from fund-raising events held since this spring in New Hampshire and other states where Romney has PACs, won't be reported until later this year.

The list of contributors giving at least $3,000 includes former Jazz star Karl Malone, Deseret Book CEO Sheri Dew, former ambassador and developer John Price, billionaire businessman James Sorenson and Holladay Mayor Dennis Webb.

But the largest single donor from Utah is billionaire philanthropist Jon Huntsman Sr., who has given $128,500, according to the most current filings in four states and the federal government reviewed by the Morning News.