At least six Democrats running for seats in the state Legislature say they are victims of a smear campaign by advocates for more choice in education.

The candidates, in addition to the state Democratic Party, said a dozen or more mailers with "half-truths" and "unreasonable" promises have been sent to people in their districts.

Most of the mailers say they were paid for by the state Republican Party. But candidates said they believe the mailers were funded by Parents for Choice in Education, which receives money from national groups supporting vouchers and tuition tax credits.

The mailers, which have similar wording and style, focus on issues such as immigration, tighter laws for sex offenders, gay marriage, education and truth-in-taxation.

Todd Taylor, head of the state Democratic Party, said the mailers were veiled attempts to get candidates in office who support vouchers.

"They're trying to get a conservative state to do their ideological bidding," Taylor said. "This is just a case where the candidates and party have sold their soul to the devil to get outside filthy lucre."

Nancy Pomeroy, spokeswoman for Parents for Choice in Education, did not specifically answer whether the group was behind the mailers. But she did say, "We send out materials for candidates who support us as part of the PAC."

When asked whether she'd seen the mailers in question, Pomeroy replied: "Nothing that I've seen is what I would consider negative. It's basically the candidates saying what they are for."

At any rate, the mailers, Taylor estimates, cost upward of $20,000 per candidate. He said the candidates being targeted include Rep. LaWanna Shurtliff, D-Ogden; Rep. Roz McGee, D-Salt Lake City; Rep. Karen Morgan, D-Salt Lake City; Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, D-Salt Lake City; Rep. James Gowans, D-Tooele; and Rep. Carl Duckworth, D-Magna.

Shurtliff and Moss both say the mailers being sent in their district are not necessarily false, but they don't give a complete picture about voting records.

"(My opponent) distorts the intention of the bill or doesn't tell the whole story," Moss said.

For instance, her opponent, Sandy Thackeray, criticizes Moss for her vote against a bill calling for merit pay for math teachers. But Moss says it was a three-part bill with which she could not fully agree.

In addition, Shurtliff and Moss complain the mailers are "boiler plate pieces," with names and districts simply inserted, depending on the candidate. Thackeray rebutted accusations she is running a negative campaign, saying she has received no out-of-state money for her campaign, except from relatives. She has received donations from the state Republican Party, in addition to Parents for Choice in Education, but added that "as soon as they said they could support me, I always say, 'That is great, but I am not beholden to you."'