Gov. Gary Herbert already raising money for next election

SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Gary Herbert hasn't even been inaugurated after winning the office for the next two years, but he's already looking for money to fund his next election.

A fundraising dinner following Herbert's Jan. 3 inauguration ceremony at the state Capitol is expected to cover not only the cost of the event, but also boost his political action committee coffers.

"This will be the last real opportunity to raise money until summer," said Joseph Demma, campaign manager for the governor's big win in November that carried a price tag topping $3 million.

Governors, who are prohibited by law from raising money during the legislative session and immediately after, typically rely on galas held annually throughout their four-year terms to raise most of their campaign cash.

But Herbert is in a unique position when it comes to fundraising because he assumed the office mid-term after Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. resigned in August 2009 to become U.S. ambassador to China.

Because of a recent change to the state constitution, Herbert had to immediately launch a run for the remaining two years of Huntsman's term. His next election is in less than two years, November 2012.

Kirk Jowers, head of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics and an adviser to the governor, said the shortened term means Herbert has much less time to collect the cash he needs to run.

"The governor is in a little tougher spot because he has to run in 2010 and 2012," Jowers said. "Normally, you can give everyone a break for two years. He doesn't have that luxury."

Kelly Patterson, head of Brigham Young University's Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy, said Herbert has no choice but to keep raising money.

"Fundraising is driven by the immediacy of the cycle," Patterson said. "He's essentially required to dive back in."

Demma said the situation "has created some interesting political dynamics," especially when it comes to money. He credited Herbert's chief fundraiser, Karen Hammond, with accomplishing the "incredible Herculean effort" of raising some $3 million.

There's been some grumbling about her using the inauguration to make money because contributors were initially getting tickets to the swearing-in ceremony. While the ceremony is free and open to the public, seating is limited.