When Sen. Orrin Hatch barely missed avoiding a primary at Saturday’s GOP convention, his staffers missed out on claiming a “win bonus” as well.
Hatch’s campaign manager Dave Hansen tells Utah Policy that they offered full-time staff a $5,000 bonus if they were able to avoid going to a primary. He says the bonuses were offered months ago when the Senator’s survival in 2012 was still up in the air.
Hansen says giving bonuses for a successful campaign is quite common.
“Why not? Usually they’re given at the end of the election. Consultants will often negotiate a bonus for a successful campaign.”
Hansen says they offered the extra money to about 20 staffers.
Holly Richardson, chairperson for challenger Dan Liljenquist’s campaign, says she’s not surprised that Hatch offered up the bonuses.
“I don’t think it says anything except that they were very motivated to win at convention. We live in a free market society and, for some people, money is a motivating factor.”
Hansen adds there’s a good chance they’ll offer staffers a bonus for a win in June’s primary.
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If Hatch wins the primary, it will be because he outspends Liljenquist 10-1, not because he is a better candidate, or because Utahns approve of his profligate spending and questionable priorities.
But this is the future, if we dump the neighborhood caucus system: the incumbents and the millionaires will win.
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