Cost of seeking legislative seat nears $100,000

With just a week left before voters head to the polls, the cost of running for the Utah Legislature is close to $100,000 in more and more races — and, for a few candidates, even exceeding that threshold.

The final campaign financial disclosure filings before the election, which had to be submitted to the state Elections Office by Tuesday, showed that state House and Senate campaigns are increasingly expensive.

"Unfortunately, most of the races this cycle will be more expensive," said Jeff Hartley, executive director of the Utah Republican Party. "There's a greater level of intensity in a lot of the races where we're focusing."

The Republicans have targeted 10 legislative races this election, and the Democrats think they can win six GOP-controlled seats. Only four of the targeted seats are open and, as Hartley pointed out, it's expensive to take on an incumbent.

"Money is definitely important," said Todd Taylor, state Democratic party executive director. Still, Taylor said, these elections are "about building relationships with the voters. If that money helps you build that, then it's worthwhile. If it doesn't, it's just money to the wind."

Rep. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake, has raised more than $83,000 in his bid to move up to the state Senate in District 7. The seat, held by retiring Sen. Karen Hale, D-Salt Lake, is on the GOP list of targeted races.

But Romero's opponent, Republican Bryce Jolley, has raised less than half as much. Jolley, a former Salt Lake City councilman, said despite the difference, he's running a campaign that will appear to voters to be "on par" with his competition.

Romero said he expected to raise $100,000 for this race — three times what he spent to get elected two years ago to the House. He said he was proud that the Utah Education Association was among his biggest contributors.

Another Democratic House member trying to win an open Senate seat, Rep. Pat Jones, D-Salt Lake, has hit the $100,000 mark and then some. Plus, she still has more than $64,000 in campaign funds available, according to Tuesday's filing.

The GOP is counting on their candidate, Dirk Anjewierden, to pick up the seat. Anjewierden has just under $97,000 in contributions and, like Jones, has spent less than half to date. The District 4 seat they're seeking is held by retiring Sen. Patrice Arent, D-Murray.