Republican Brad Wilson’s U.S. Senate campaign circulated a flyer promoting a “special event” in Salt Lake City at the Alta Club. The flyer also features the Utah League of Cities and Towns (ULCT) logo, which suggests the non-partisan advocacy group is a co-host of the event.
That’s not the case, as Wilson’s campaign used the logo without the organization’s permission.
The flyer features a large photo of Wilson alongside his campaign logo. At the bottom is the required disclaimer that Wilson’s campaign paid for the publication. ULCT’s logo is on the lower half of the page below the event details.
Brad Wilson campaign flyer with the Utah League of City and Towns logo that was used without permission.
ULCT Executive Director Cameron Diehl says the group is a government organization funded by tax dollars. It would be illegal for them to take part in a campaign event like Wilson’s.
“ULCT does not endorse candidates and does not get involved in campaigns. We learned today (Tuesday) that our name was on a Wilson campaign flyer. We immediately contacted the Wilson campaign and told them that it was inappropriate to use our name and logo. The Wilson campaign acknowledged the inappropriate use and said they corrected it,” Diehl said in a text message.
The inclusion of ULCT’s logo on Wilson’s campaign materials appears to be an attempt by Wilson’s campaign to piggyback on the organization’s annual “Local Officials Day at the Legislature,” which attracts hundreds of elected officials from around the state. Wilson’s event is scheduled after the conclusion of the ULCT program. Diehl says Wilson’s campaign reached out to ULCT last week, asking to use their email list to promote a campaign event the same day as their Capitol Hill program, but were rebuffed.
Wilson campaign manager Caleb Worthen explained the campaign wanted to promote the event with Wilson while local officials from around the state were in town. He said the ULCT logo was added to the campaign materials erroneously.
“It was not done in conjunction with the league, and they have not endorsed us, nor is it their policy to do so. There was a clerical error with a logo on a flyer that was corrected and remedied last week when it was discovered,” Worthen said in a statement.
Wilson served as Utah House Speaker for five years before he resigned in November to focus on his Senate campaign.
He is one of 11 Republicans running to succeed Mitt Romney, who is retiring from the Senate after one term. The crowded field vying for the GOP nomination includes Congressman John Curtis and Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs. Carolyn Phippen, a former staffer for Sen. Mike Lee and Brent Hatch, the son of former U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch, are also seeking the Republican nod.
Overall, 16 candidates are running to replace Romney next year, including Democrats Caroline Gleich, Archie Williams and Laird Hamblin.