- How is X candidate able to afford so many political signs?
- Why don’t I see more literature from Y candidate?
- Who is funding Z candidates campaign?
Financial disclosures were submitted on the 8th of August, and they offer a window into each campaign. There is quite a lot of nuance to discover, and I’m going to share a few observations made at first glance- starting with my own financial disclosure.
Who contributed to my campaign?
I have eleven donors to my campaign. All donors are private parties – I have no corporate donors.
Who is my biggest campaign donor?
Melanya & Mnatsakan Zadikyan are my biggest campaign donors, having contributed $200 – who are they? They are my in-laws!
I have multiple family members who have contributed – Aaron Wright, Mary Halverson, and my mom Lisa (Frances) Wright. They are always supportive and give great feedback.
Two colleagues from the University of Utah’s department of Political Science donated – Zachary Stickney and Nadia Mahallati. I am honored to receive their support, and to be associate with them – they make me better as a scholar and person.
People whom I have met over the course of the campaign – either in person or virtually – also donated to the campaign. Darlene Thayne, Kathleen Dennis, Jesse Smith, Zig Sondelski, and Jeff Noall all donated – I can’t tell you how much this means, and it humbles and encourages me to keep campaigning our message of open governance and transparency.
Please note: it is difficult to express how grateful I am to my family for their support during this campaign. Although it isn’t shown on the financial disclosure, my family is my greatest “donor”- thank you Hripsime, Noah, and Hayk.
How did I spend campaign dollars?
This is a great question! I registered my domain with godaddy ($15.41); paid an application fee to run for office to Bountiful City ($25.00); and purchased a voter list from the Davis County Clerk (57.87).
I also purchased signs from Renaissance Signs Marketing & Design ($233.79); door hangers from Vistaprint ($109.47); and made some photo cards to pass out at events from the Walmart Photo Center ($30.00). Here you can see the door hanger, pass along card, yard sign, and two really handsome kids:
In total I have received $700 in donations, and have spent $471.54. These next few days are crucial to the campaign and I will make the most of every dollar donated.
Here’s my full financial disclosure:
There is a lot of nuance in a campaign financial disclosure (as seen in my own). To see all Bountiful campaign financial disclosures, visit https://www.bountifulutah.gov/Election-Information
I invite residents to look at all the disclosures and ask the same questions I did:
- Who contributed to the campaign?
- Who is the biggest campaign donor?
- How were campaign dollars spent?
- How does X candidate’s spending compare to other candidates?
Let’s explore for example:
How does my spending compare to other candidates?
Bountiful City Council Candidates Spending:
- Kenny Knighton $10,767.79
- Chris Simonsen $6,106.54
- Bret Hutchings $1,714.25
- Kendalyn Keyes Harris $1,682.62
- Clint Halladay $1,350.93
- Mason Mulligan $780.12
- Seth Wright $471.54
- Alex Densley $225.00
How much money have mayoral candidates spent?
Bountiful Mayoral Candidates Spending:
- Randy C. Lewis $12,212.48
- Jim Clark $5,646.94
- John Pitt $4,400.19
- Nicholas Dean Price $2,838.17
- Dean Collinwood $2,439.53
- Bob Lindsay $1,333.87
I submit that campaign disclosures offer windows into how candidates may later make decisions as elected officials. Agree? Disagree? Comment or e-mail me – I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Seth Wright for Bountiful City Council 