Cannon's campaign also hired Kathleen Hunter, the wife of Cannon's congressional chief of staff, Joe Hunter, to organize various campaign events. She was paid $2,000.

Most campaigns spent surprisingly big amounts on food and places to eat it. For example, Hatch spent at least $104,000 on such things; Cannon spent at least $30,000; Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, spent almost $20,000; and Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, spent more than $1,500.

"Yeah, to some extent our campaign moves on its stomach," Rathbun said. Cannon faced a tough in-party challenge at the state GOP convention, and for months he and other candidates entertained delegates at breakfasts, lunches and dinners.

Even Hatch, who had only nominal convention opposition, spent at least $7,000 on 15-20 meetings around the state with delegates. Hansen joked, "If you are elected a state delegate, there is no reason to pay for any food between the caucuses and state convention."

Much of Hatch's money for food went for fund-raising events. He held one almost every two weeks, for example, at The Monocle, a restaurant just steps away from Senate offices.

Many candidates do perhaps the most surprising thing of all with their money — give it away. Often it goes to other candidates or political party groups, but some also goes to charities.

Cannon's campaign gave away the most: $39,385. Hatch donated $23,740. Bishop gave $8,800. Republican 2nd District House candidate LaVar Christensen donated $750. Democratic 1st District House candidate Steve Olsen donated $500.

While Cannon's campaign mostly gave to Republican groups and candidates, some donations were surprising. That included $500 for a sheriff's candidate in Virginia; $1,000 to the Crandall Historic Printing Museum; $1,500 to the Eagle Mountain Mayor's Library Fund; and $300 to the Armed Forces Day Fund.

Rathbun said that Cannon "has an interest in getting good people elected to office," and the amount given is "not a lot compared to Chris's overall campaign."

Hatch also gave mostly to political party groups and candidates, but also to charities ranging from the NAACP to the Dixie Junior Livestock Show and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Hansen said of Hatch's campaign, "We've been very successful this cycle at fund raising. ... So the senator would like to help state and county parties, and in helping to fund and help candidates around the state. Also, there are a number of other organizations that the senator feels comfortable with, and made contributions to them."

Unusual campaign spending

• $13,177 on "gifts for constituents"

• $7,726 on flowers

• $10,000 on Christmas cards

• $784 for cable TV

Source: Sen. Orrin Hatch's campaign disclosure

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