Legislative challengers outraise incumbents

Conventional wisdom is that incumbent state legislators easily raise more money than challengers, thanks to special interests. That longtime axiom is eroding this year — as one of every four challengers is now actually outraising incumbents.

Among those being outraised are the only two incumbent legislators facing primaries on Tuesday — Reps. Glenn Donnelson, R-North Ogden, and Paul Neuenschwander, R-Bountiful, according to disclosure forms filed this week.

Donnelson raised only $4,800 — about a third of the $15,892 raised by GOP challenger Ryan Wilcox. And Neuenschwander raised $13,650, about half of the $25,000 raised by his primary opponent, Becky Edwards.

If money is a measure of support and ability to campaign effectively, several other incumbents might be worried this year. In 17 of the 68 legislative races where an incumbent is still facing a major-party challenger, the challengers have raised more money.

That includes embattled Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, who survived a convention battle against four fellow Republicans after controversy about comments he made with racial overtones. He now faces Democrat John Rendell — who has raised $13,182 compared to the $8,300 raised by Buttars this year. (But Buttars still has $35,800 in cash on hand from previous years, while Rendell has only $5,300).

Some others include: Rep. Lorie Fowlke, R-Orem, who raised $3,050 compared to $17,104 by Democrat Paul Thompson; and Rep. Stephen Sandstrom, R-Orem, who raised $13,049 compared to $22,766 by Democrat Steve Baugh.

Other examples include that Rep. Stephen Clark, R-Provo, raised only $3,450 compared to $12,271 by Democrat Donald Jarvis; and Rep. Rebecca Chavez-Houck, D-Salt Lake, raised $12,575 compared to $13,429 by Republican Joe Jarvis.

Neuenschwander said he is not concerned that Edwards has outraised him this primary.

"She was able to get a few people with deep pockets to give to her campaign," he said. "That's fine, if you want to take so much money from one or two places."

Still, Neuenschwander said it was unfortunate that he failed to get 60 percent of the delegate vote in the GOP convention — and win the nomination outright — by just 1 delegate vote. "So now, between us, we'll probably spend around $40,000 on a primary race where maybe 2,200 people will vote." Only around 2,200 people voted in his 2006 primary race, he said.