Political campaign advisers say name recognition is everything, but for two city council candidates in Orem and Sandy the same name is causing some unusual problems.
Some voters in the two cities have been thinking their Bell had spent a lot of money getting her name before the public when it really was the other Bell - and vice versa.Confused? Join Sandy voters who were amazed to see campaign signs for Sandy City Council candidate Judy Bell along I-15 - all the way to Utah County.
After each of two Brigham Young University football games, Bell was inundated with calls from supporters impressed that she erected signs - even billboards - all the way from Sandy to Provo.
"What a great idea you had to hit football fans," was the response of callers returning from the games.
But Bell can't take all the credit. She has to attribute some of her name recognition to an Orem City Council candidate - who also goes by the name of Bell. Judy Bell, to be exact.
It was that Bell who put up the billboards in Provo, Lehi, and along I-15 that gave the campaign of Sandy's Bell a boost. Radio ads purchased by the Orem Bell have helped the Sandy Bell as well.
Even the son of Sandy's Bell did a double take when he saw one of the freeway billboards, and had to turn around to see what his mom had done. It seems that while their signs are different colors - Orem features fluorescent green with blue writing, while Sandy's is red, white and blue - the type on the signs of both Bells is similar.
Because the mention of "Orem City Council" is so small on the signs, Sandy residents think the signs belong to their Bell. Orem residents likely feel the same.
Some voters are so confused they think their Bellis running in two cities.
Sandy's Bell hasn't seen the signs of Orem's Bell. Nor has she met the candidate to the south.
"But I have been thinking about calling her and taking her to lunch," Sandy's Bell said.
They'd find they have more in common than just a name. Both are businesswomen. Orem's Bell is sales manager at Bailey's Moving and Storage. Sandy's Bell is co-owner of Aspen Advertising and Printing and owner of Nellie and Co. Publishing. They even look a little alike.
Both have husbands who've have taken an active role in their campaigns.
And both Bells won big in their primaries.
Sandy's Bell, a political newcomer, walloped challengers in the city's at-large race, garnering 1,000 more votes than her closest contender, Stan Price.
The southern Bell led all candidates for a four-year term on the
Orem City Council, receiving 400 more votes than incumbent Kelvin C. Clayton.
Impressed?
A third Judy Bell is.
At a recent meeting of the Sandy Chamber of Commerce, Sandy resident Judy Bell approached candidate Judy Bell, saying: "I had to meet the famous Judy Bell. I am the other one."
Or, in this case, one of three Judy Bells.