This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2008, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
In the Senate District 23 Republican primary, it's a case of big bucks squaring off against loose change.
Republicans Dan Liljenquist, 33, and Ron Mortensen, 63, are competing to gain the south Davis County senate seat being vacated by Dan Eastman, who is not seeking a third term.
"They're exercising the nuclear option," Mortensen said of Liljenquist's well-fueled campaign that has fired off several mailers, the most recent with endorsements that read like a list of who's who in the county's Republican power structure.
According to campaign finance disclosures filed Tuesday, Liljenquist raised $41,740 and spent $40,280, while Mortensen, who campaigned heavily on two issues - property tax reform and reining in child identity theft - brought in $5,169 and paid out $4,349.
"In Davis County, the primary is the election since 70 percent generally vote a straight ticket," Liljenquist said to justify his aggressive campaign.
All of Davis County's elected offices are currently held by Republicans. And Liljenquist has the backing of four of the five South Davis mayors, the area's entire state Senate delegation, Davis County Chamber of Commerce President John Pitt and at least half a dozen council members.
"The one thing I've managed to do in this race is unite the Establishment," said the 63-year-old Mortensen, adding that his unequivocal anti-tax stance has excited the grass roots but alienated those in power.
"I've dared to speak up on behalf of the citizens and they do not accept that."
On the other hand, Liljenquist said he appreciates the outpouring of support he's received.
"I'm thrilled, and I'd like to think it's because I'm charming," he grinned. "But I'm very data-driven. And I believe in Federalism from the bottom up, that we shouldn't be trying to run cities from the Legislature."
Mortensen's shoestring effort includes low-cost brochures peppered throughout the district by a couple dozen volunteers he describes as a ragtag team of foot soldiers.
"Someone made up a bunch of magnetic signs to put on cars - I never know what's going to happen next," Mortensen said. "They have free rein and run with it. It's a decentralized campaign."
The pair have also participated in town hall meetings and debates throughout the district's five cities: Bountiful, Centerville, North Salt Lake, West Bountiful and Woods Cross.
Liljenquist attributes his thriving campaign to his more expansive view of the issues.
"There's two ways to cut taxes," Liljenquist said, naming growth and economic development as the first, and fiscal discipline as the second. "You clearly identify the needs and then fund those needs. But it does us no good to have a one-shot approach to taxation."
Neither candidate is taking Tuesday's primary for granted.
"We'll be working our calling trees and volunteers to get people out to vote," Liljenquist said.
Mortensen agrees that turnout is key to who emerges as the Republican nominee.
"I'm cautiously optimistic," Mortensen said. "If we can get enough people mobilized, we'll do fine."
The winner of Tuesday's primary faces Democratic challenger Richard Watson in November.