Spencer Cox’s 2020 gubernatorial campaign is hyping up a robust response to their fundraising efforts as they’ve added several veteran Utah politicos to their campaign team.
The campaign did not share overall fundraising numbers with UtahPolicy.com. However, campaign manager Austin Cox did say they have received 885 online donations with an average donation of $90.
So far, Cox is the only declared candidate in the race. He’ll need a strong fundraising game to compete with other Republicans who may jump into the contest. Former House Speaker Greg Hughes, who is expected to formally launch his campaign later this summer, has already raised more than $100,000 through his leadership PAC. Former Gov. Jon Huntsman, who has been meeting with political allies and advisers about a possible gubernatorial run next year, would be able to pour significant amounts of his own money into the race.
Provo businessman Jeff Burningham has the largest war chest by far at this point in the race with $564,000 in donations. $100,000 of that is his own money.
Cox’s campaign has started to staff up ahead of next year’s nomination fight as well. They’ve hired Kitty Dunn, former Vice Chair of the Utah GOP. She will direct field operations for the campaign. She served the same role for Orrin Hatch’s 2012 campaign.
“Lt. Gov. Cox intends to compete for the GOP nomination at the convention next year, and Kitty should be helpful with those efforts,” said a source close to the campaign.
The campaign has also hired Scott Riding and Quinn Monson of Y2 Analytics to handle data analytics and voter targeting. Riding and Monson did data analysis for Mitt Romney’s 2018 campaign and John Curtis’ successful 2017 campaign.
“We are very excited to welcome Kitty, Scotty, and Quin to the Cox for Governor campaign. They are three of the sharpest and most experienced political minds in Utah and will help the Lt. Governor run an innovative and successful primary campaign,” said Austin Cox.
Riding and Monson’s roles with the campaign will be independent of their association with Y2 Analytics.
Liv Moffatt is in charge of fundraising for Cox’s campaign. Moffatt previously handled fundraising for Nolan Karras’ 2004 gubernatorial campaign. That’s significant as Karras raised more than $970,000 while advancing to the GOP primary before eventually losing to Jon Huntsman.
