Incumbent state legislators started the 1998 election season with one great advantage over their challengers - cash.
A new study by the Utah Progressive Network (UPNet) shows that on average, each legislator had $5,273 in his campaign account at the start of the year.Of course, incumbents in the House and Senate seeking re-election this year have also been fund raising over the past nine months as well. UPNet didn't look at 1998 campaign finance filings.
Jeff Sprole, UPNet executive director, said: "Due to the influence of big money on politics, many people are discouraged from running for elected office. In effect, two elections are held - the first for campaign cash and the second for votes."
It's clear the incumbents are winning the money election, "and the public is hurt by a decrease in debate of the issues and a lack of diversity in candidates from whom to choose," said Sprole.
An UPNet study of the 1996 legislative races found the average race cost $13,883. So with more than $5,000 in their campaign accounts at the start of the 1998 election, incumbents had a significant advantage, he added.
Political parties in the state got $205,000 from PACs and corporations in 1997, Sprole said. In addition, PACs and corporations spent another $303,900 on administrative costs to support their political activities, the UPNet study found.
Sprole called once again for campaign finance reform. But the Utah Legislature has looked at the issue several times (a special task force was formed in 1997 to study the matter) and has refused time and again to pass any campaign finance changes.
Utah has one of the more lax campaign finance laws in the nation. Candidates and legislators can take any amount of money from anyone and spend it in any legal manner they wish. They must report their contributions and expenditures several times a year.