Republican presidential hopeful Bob Dole plans to hold a $1,000-per-person campaign fund-raising event Jan. 15 in Salt Lake City.
The Senate majority leader's visit is part of a planned Western swing through Utah, Idaho and Arizona that depends on resolution of the budget impasse."We've had to cancel some of the events because of the budget situation, but we're confident that we'll be in a position to visit supporters there," Dole spokesman Nelson Warfield said Tuesday.
Warfield declined to say how many are expected to attend the invitation-only evening fund-raising event at the Little America Hotel.
No events are scheduled for attendance by the general public, although Dole likely will hold a news conference.
Dole's appearance has caused some conflicts with an already busy political schedule Jan. 15 - the opening of the 45-day annual session of the Legislature and the statewide broadcast of Gov. Mike Leavitt's State of the State address.
Leavitt spokeswoman Vicki Varela said the governor hoped to avoid "major events competing against each other." But the fund-raising event was set to begin at the same time as Leavitt's speech to the Legislature and state.
Leaders of Utah's Republican-dominated Legislature are among those expected to attend the Dole fund-raising event. Utah Senate President Lane Beattie and House Speaker Mel Brown are endorsing Dole for president.