Speaker of the House Paul Ryan is coming to Salt Lake City on Monday to raise money for Rep. Mia Love.
Ryan will appear at a fundraiser at the Little America Hotel on Monday morning.
This is the second time Ryan has traveled to Utah to raise money for Love. The first was in 2012 before her unsuccessful bid for Congress when she lost to Democratic Rep. Jim Matheson. That time, Ryan appeared at a closed fundraiser in Park City shortly before being tapped by Mitt Romney as his vice presidential candidate.
Love’s campaign said in an email statement provided to UtahPolicy.com they welcome Speaker Ryan’s support.
“Congresswoman Love is honored to have Speaker Ryan as a guest in Utah. She has enjoyed a close working relationship with him during his first few months as speaker, and is pleased he is taking time out of his busy schedule to spend time with her.”
Love is facing a tough re-election battle against Democrat Doug Owens. Owens shockingly raised more money than Love in the last fundraising quarter, so the visit by Ryan should boost Love’s campaign war chest.
Owens’ campaign declined comment on Speaker Ryan’s visit.
In her slim 2014 victory over Owens, Love outspent him by more than 5-1, raising and spending more than $5 million.
Owens was named to the Democratic National Campaign Committee’s “Red to Blue” program, meaning his race against Love’s is one of their targeted races this campaign cycle. That means some national funding should filter into the 4th District race to boost Owens’ efforts against Love.
