"No disrespect, Senator, but 18 years is long enough," Pat Shea, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, said of Sen. Orrin Hatch at a formal kickoff of Shea's campaign Thursday.
Ironically, these are the same words Hatch, R-Utah, said to Sen. Frank E. Moss, whom he challenged and defeated in 1976.Shea said his campaign has raised about $300,000, but he intends to increase the pot to at least $1 million. Shea said his opponent will probably spend $3 million or $4 million, but Shea feels $1 million will be enough.
"As the Republicans try to buy the election, the Democrats will organize the election," he said.
Among the 44 advisory board members supporting and advising Shea are former Salt Lake Mayor Palmer DePaulis, UEA President Lily Eskelson, Democratic Senate leader Scott Howell and Utah Attorney General Jan Graham.
Shea, a former gubernatorial candidate and former Utah Democratic Party chairman, praised the "depth and breadth of talent and experience" of his advisory board.
Speaking against a colorful backdrop of political campaign posters from races throughout the state, Shea said "We hope this can be a coordinated campaign to elect Democrats at all levels throughout the state."
Shea filed for office half an hour before deadline after other Democrats - Rep. Bill Orton, Grethe Petersen, former Senate candidate Doug Anderson and Howell - pulled out.
Shea says his new approach to politics and government will be the main issue of the campaign. He compares his approach to Hatch's "long, long" record. Shea's campaign slogan reads `A Senator FOR Utah . . . for a Change."
When asked about the competition he sees from John Benson, another declared Democratic candidate, Shea said he does not see a threat from someone who is not even a registered voter.