Funding for an early Utah primary gets some support
After years of vocal but unfunded support for a Western States Primary, state leaders may push to provide the $2.5 million needed for the statewide election Feb. 5. The change of heart stems from a potentially historic presidential election in 2008, a tight race for the Republican nomination and the possible inclusion of California in the primary.
"It's likely that the two primary nominees will be selected on that day," said Mike Mower, spokesman for Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. "For the first time in decades, Utah will have a meaningful say in those nominations."
Mower said that funding the primary would allow the state's voters to play a significant role in national politics. He expected that, unlike in many election years, Utah would see visits from multiple presidential contenders from both parties as they travel the West.
While legislative leaders have not yet discussed it with their caucuses, the funding did get tentative support from some powerful Senate Republicans Monday. Senate Majority Leader Curt Bramble, R-Provo, spoke during a House committee — an unusual move for a bill that is not his own — and said that he personally supported the funding.
"We need to step up and fund this primary," Bramble said. "We spend millions to promote the state's image. For us to have a legitimate election for the Western states, or even Utah, would give us a lot of credibility."
House Majority Leader Dave Clark, R-Santa Clara, said that they had briefly discussed the funding during leadership meetings, but nothing solid had been set. While supportive of an earlier primary, he was skeptical of the impact Utah could have, especially if major battlegrounds such as California were to move their dates.
"It's an expensive beauty contest," he said. "But the other side is that the way the election system works, you have to create incentives to candidates to visit."
In fact, what was initially targeted by smaller Rocky Mountain states, including Utah, as a way to create national political clout despite their lacking electoral sway may become a massive election day nationally.
Along with California, whose state Senate approved the move from June 3 to Feb. 5 last week, more than a dozen states — including other electoral heavy hitters like Texas and Florida — are considering that day. And they are all doing doing it with the hope that they will be national political players.
In 2004, California was part of "Super Tuesday," which included eight total states. But to the chagrin of many voters in those states, the nominations for both major parties were already secured when they went to the polls.
But 2008 will be different, even in a heavily Republican state like Utah, said Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem. After all, there are none of the traditional front-runners in the race, such as incumbents, vice presidents or previous nominees.
"This is the most open election we have seen in decades," he said. "Every vote in every state will count."
E-mail: jloftin@desnews.com
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