SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Utah’s Republican Party asked delegates on Thursday to donate $25 at the door of the party’s special convention to replace Congressman Jason Chaffetz, an idea that’s not sitting well with everyone.
Newly elected party chair Rob Anderson said he’s trying to pay off the party’s deep debt, but critics say it’s a bad idea for a June 17 event that’s expected to play an outsize role in deciding the powerful congressman’s successor.
The donation wouldn’t be mandatory, but rather “highly encouraged,” the party said in a statement. Future conventions will also carry a suggested registration fee, which is $20 if paid ahead of time, it said.
The money will go toward paying $30,000 in debts from the annual convention where Anderson was elected on a fiscal-responsibility platform two weeks ago, an amount that comes on top of more than $400,000 already outstanding, he said.
“We have a financial problem and we need to fix it,” Anderson said, adding that political parties in other states charge entry to conventions.
Chaffez, who still has a sizable trove of campaign cash, has offered to donate the $5,000 that Anderson is expecting the special convention to cost, Anderson said.
Since the fee is voluntary, Utah Elections Director Mark Thomas said it appears more in line with common requests for donations at conventions rather than an illegal poll tax.
But Republican activist Holly Richardson said there are better ways to raise money, especially since delegates will be casting an important vote. The candidate they choose from a crowded field of more than a dozen hopefuls will appear on the ballot in the heavily Republican district.
For example, a candidate might offer to pay the entry for delegates who vote for them.
“This is potentially a way to put your thumb on the scale in inappropriate ways,” said Richardson, a former legislator and delegate. Utah is different from other states that charge to enter party conventions because candidates who prevail at convention go directly on the ballot, she said. It’s also unfair to suddenly change policy on the delegates, who are volunteers, she said.
Chaffetz, chair of the powerful House oversight committee, made a surprise announcement last month that he’s stepping down from his seat June 30.
The convention donation was first reported by The Salt Lake Tribune.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.