Loser's Comment Serves as Reminder

Not from the winning, but from the losing contractor comes a word that should remind us of the dangers of they way we finance political campaigns.

Gov. Gary Herbert has been questioned for taking campaign contributions from those in line to receive political favors from the state, including taking $87,500 from members of a construction firm that won a $1.7 billion Utah roads project bid.

Herbert has said he had no sway in the contract's award. He said UDOT, not his office, decides who gets such contracts.

But, one of those who lost the bid offered a comment that reminds us of the danger of funding campaigns with special-interest money the way we do.

Bob French was asked if he were to also contribute to the governor's campaign if he thought that would help in obtaining bids.

The Deseret News reports French responded that the way things are done in Utah is not that much different than how they're done in any other state.

Considering he was being asked if a campaign contribution would help the cause of getting a favor, it is significant he didn't say, No, it wouldn't help if I were to make a contribution. UDOT awards those bids. Not the governor.

Instead, he more or less just said, Look, this is the way business is done.

And, I suggest, the way it should not be done.

Having a system where the very people pouring money into the campaigns are the same who will be coming asking for favors is not good. It leaves the candidates open to charges of influence peddling, at very least. And, worse, is that this system does, indeed, leave the candidates open to being influenced by the money.

Supposing Herbert had no part in the $1.7 billion roads decision, and supposing UDOT wasn't even aware of the contribution to be tainted by that knowledge, then Herbert doesn't look too bad.

But, we can see how such a system leaves both him as a candidate, and us as the public, in harm's way. Such money surely does taint elected officials' decisions.

This issue is what I've campaigned on. I do not feel comfortable accepting such money. To be safe, I have decided not to take any political contributions at all in running for the Utah Legislature, House District 41 (which stretches from Sandy to Herriman). I can only hope that means something to you as a voter.

-- John Jackson

-- John Jackson