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."'

As for the mailers, Thackeray said they show the differences between two candidates.

"All I have to go on is her voting record. In order to show differences about why people should vote for me rather than her, I just point to the voting record, and that's the evidence I have that she votes differently than what most people want."

She continued: "I don't explain, because I don't know why she voted a certain way."

Pomeroy said Thursday her group does indeed give money to candidates. She declined to say where her group's money came from, saying it would be available in campaign disclosures due Tuesday.

But mid-September financial reports show the group has gathered more than $257,000 this election year, with $100,000 from the East Coast group All Children Matter, which supports government vouchers for private school tuition and other school choice initiatives. Another $50,000 came from Overstock.com CEO and Utah resident Patrick Byrne. Doug Holmes, who has been instrumental in Utah's voucher movement, donated $20,000, the PAC report states.

Pomeroy said complaints about the mailers are unfounded.

"I just hope that everyone gives it their best shot and stops crying about whatever," she said. "I find this amazing. I think it's just the two weeks before the election. It's just like the other side, bless their heart, is desperate."

Jeff Hartley, head of the state Republican Party, did not return a call for comment Thursday.

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E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com; jtcook@desnews.com