Demos encouraged by gala's results

State Democrats say they are building some political momentum in conservative Utah after their annual legislative gala drew record attendance and record contributions Friday.

State party chairman Wayne Holland said about 670 people attended the ball at the Marriott Hotel downtown and the party collected more than $100,000 in contributions.

"That's the biggest turnout we've ever had, and we raised the most money we've ever raised," Holland said.

The money will go toward financing Democratic candidates in 2006 and funding the party's operations, Holland said.

Holland said the state party now has four times the level of staff it had previously. It is growing, he said, and drawing more attention and participation from young and college-age Democrats.