Campaign Tip
Fundraising in Local Races
For most candidates, fundraising is one of the least pleasant campaign tasks. For a lot of people, it’s not natural ask others for money. Nevertheless, fundraising is one measure of how good a candidate is – how intense, focused, hard-working and committed the candidate is – and how much he or she really wants to win.
Many local candidates, especially legislative candidates, do their fundraising simply by sending solicitation letters to the list of registered lobbyists kept by the state. That's a good source for funds, but no candidate should want all of their money to come from lobbyists. You should want a good share of your money to come from your own district, county, etc. If you have a strong candidacy, you should be able to raise money from family, friends, neighbors, local business leaders, etc.
Fundraising targeting these potential donors is hard work and requires a lot of phone calls and visits. Campaign management guru Joe Garecht has a good article on this type of fundraising on his Web site, localvictory.com. It hits the basics of fundraising and is worth a read for candidates needing to raise money.
House GOP Fundraiser
Save the date: Utah House Republicans will hold their annual Bowler's Ball on Tuesday, July 18. Details to follow.
Washington Watch
Hatch OECD Speech
Sen. Orrin Hatch delivers speech to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development "about ways to streamline the [international tax regime] so it reflects the importance U.S. society puts on increasing the prosperity of its citizens" (see press release).
Immigration Debate Shapes Races
The immigration reform debate is "shaping key races in this year's congressional elections .... none more so than Rep. Chris Cannon's effort to hold onto his Utah seat for a 6th term" (Washington Times).
Times Looks at Washington Co. Bill
Article analyzes the Washington County growth bill authored by Sen. Bob Bennett and Rep. Jim Matheson, which critics say sets "a dangerous precedent, making thousands of acres of public land available for private development" but supporters praise as "a great model for how to deal with public lands" (Los Angeles Times).
Blog Watch
COL Takashi says the proposed Marriage Protection Amendment is necessary because of "the abuse of power by members of the State and Federal judiciary, who believe that their invulnerability to being fired means that they can legally do anything they wish. These judges have adopted the ethic of 'Might Makes Right.' The only way for citizens to reassert their sovereignty is by 'We the People of the United States' using our power to amend the US and State Constitutions" (see also here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here)... At the Senate Site blog, Sen. Carlene Walker discusses HB77, which enables qualifying municipalities to "create new, smaller school districts" and which "has found enthusiastic support from some parents but ... seems to have raised as many questions as it has answered"... Part of the Plan says: "I am so looking forward to this election come November. I am so confident that Utah voters are going to come to their collective sense and prove Orrin Hatch, the Salt Lake Tribune and all those pointy-headed east coast pundits and D.C. insiders wrong ... by voting for progress, for change and for Pete Ashdown" (see also here)... Emily For Utah discusses education funding and school choice (see also here)... Obiter Dicta by Steve discusses LDS attitudes toward illegal immigration... Wonkette notes: "This weekend brought two pieces examining the mysterious and terrifying parts of the country that don’t want to push [Pres. Bush] down a flight of stairs: The Guardian’s Boise, Idaho, and the New York Times’ Provo, Utah. Which piece is more condescending? Which city is stupider?" (see also here and here).
-- Compiled by Golden Webb
Where are They Now: Nolan Karras
The grapevine tells us that Khosrow Semnani has retired from active management of his investment and management firm SK Hart Enterprises, and has hired Nolan Karras as president and CEO. Karras is a former speaker of the Utah House, gubernatorial candidate and long-time State Board of Regents member and chair. In retirement, Semnani, former owner of Envirocare, intends to focus more on philanthropy, travel and time with family.
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