Ben McAdams gets fundraising boost from Clinton visit

SALT LAKE CITY — Ben McAdams' campaign for Salt Lake County mayor got a fundraising boost Monday, thanks to a visit from former President Bill Clinton.

Clinton attended a small fundraiser for McAdams at the Grand America Hotel, prior to the former president's joint appearance with George W. Bush as keynote speakers for the Outlook Leadership Conference.

"I'm honored that he would make some time to meet with me and some of my supporters," McAdams said.

Sources close to the campaign said the event raised $110,000.

McAdams, a Democrat, and Republican Mark Crockett are vying to replace Mayor Peter Corroon, who opted not to seek a third term.

McAdams said Clinton had read about the support his campaign has received from Republican leaders in the county, "and he praised my work to build coalitions and work across party lines."

It was fitting, McAdams said, that Clinton was in town with Bush in a show of bipartisanship.

"Working together across party lines is the way I work and a theme of my campaign," he said.

— Jared Page