Hopefuls attract wide range of donors

GOP candidate John McCain had 112 donors from Utah that gave a total of $156,542. Some notable ones included: Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., $2,300 (although his father, industrialist Jon Huntsman Sr., gave Romney $2,300); Zions Bank president Scott Anderson, $1,000; and Simmons Media Group chief David Simmons, $2,300.

Ron Paul had 63 major Utah donors that gave him $138,793. None were well known, as he had a smattering of homemakers, retired people, engineers, managers, real estate agents and salesmen.

Some people apparently could not decide whom to support and donated to more than one candidate.

At least 12 Utahns donated to both Romney and McCain. Notable among them was home builder Clark Ivory ($1,000 to McCain and $2,100 to Romney); John Price, former U.S. ambassador to three African nations ($2,300 to both); and Khosrow Semnani, former chief of Envirocare (now EnergySolutions), who gave $2,300 to both.

Also, at least 22 Utahns donated both to Obama and Clinton. Among them was Park City ski resort owner John Cumming ($2,300 to both) and Ski Utah president Nathan Rafferty ($2,300 to Obama and $500 to Clinton).

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E-mail: lee@desnews.com