Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Deseret News: Payday lenders are generous to Shurtleff


Sum is fourth of total he has raised for campaign

Copyright 2008 Deseret News
By Bob Bernick Jr. and Lee Davidson
Deseret News

Published: May 7, 2008

Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff seeks a third four-year term this year, and he's looked to some old friends for much of his campaign fundraising — like payday loan operators who charge an average of 500 percent interest annually.

Shurtleff, 50, is a conservative GOP attorney general who at times angered core Republicans over his more liberal stands, like including gays in hate crimes laws and opposing Amendment 3, which banned same-sex marriages in Utah.

Shurtleff raised $38,400 from payday loan owners this year, about $1 of every $4 given to him, according to new financial disclosure forms required before Shurtleff faces renomination at Saturday's Republican State Convention in Orem.

Shurtleff raised $161,625 in 2008, leading among candidates for attorney general, auditor and treasurer. Next best fundraiser was state Rep. Mark Walker, R-Sandy, who is running for state treasurer. He raised $46,605.

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