Bastian, the retired co-founder of WordPerfect and the No. 2 individual donor in the state, said his giving is "based almost exclusively on (candidates' and groups') positions on total equality for all Americans, but specifically for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community."

Bastian gave $364,000 to the Don't Amend Alliance, which fought a same-sex marriage ban amendment to the Utah Constitution in 2004. Bastian supplied about half the money raised by that group, but Amendment 3 passed anyway.

Bastian said he gives so much, in part, to offset influence on gay rights issues in Utah by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"The main political influence in Utah is the LDS Church. They actually do give money and a lot of support inside and outside Utah to anyone and any cause that is aimed at limiting or taking away equal rights for GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender) Americans.

"So I guess I am one of the few people in Utah who is in a position to do very much to try to balance the equation," Bastian said.

Bastian is the top individual Utah donor to Democrats — giving the party and its candidates $259,513 since 2003. In that time, he gave only one donation to any Republican — a mere $250 to Sen. Lincoln Chafee, R-R.I.

Roy Simmons family

The family of the late banker Roy Simmons is a political power, if viewed as a group, along with donations by the companies the family controls, its employees and its PACs. That includes Zions Bank and Simmons Media Group.

As a group, the family donated at least $820,000 since 2003. That ranks No. 2 in the state (behind the Byrnes and their Overstock.com) among similar groups (see chart).

David Simmons, a son of Roy and owner of Simmons Media Group, donated the most among individuals in the family — $103,500. His group includes 25 radio stations nationally, including such Salt Lake City stations as X-96 Alternative Rock, 103.1 Jack-FM and 101.5 The Eagle.

David's brother, Harris Simmons, chairman of Zions Bank, donated $38,134. Zions Bank President A. Scott Anderson gave $86,864.

The Simmons family and Zions Bank have been major financial backers in the bitter battle in recent years between Utah for-profit banks and nonprofit credit unions about what financial services they should be able to offer. Banks have been winning that battle.

Huntsman family

Another extended family that is powerful politically is that of Jon Huntsman Sr., the chemical industry billionaire and father of Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.

The Utah members of the family, their businesses and employees with Utah addresses gave at least a combined $476,000 since 2003.