Eight candidates have spent more than $1 million combined on the race for Salt Lake City mayor.
The latest fundraising numbers show that businessman and philanthropist David Ibarra has raised the most overall — $437,426 total since he announced his candidacy last November. Jim Dabakis follows with $295,080 raised since he launched a bid in December.
Both men have funneled thousands of their own dollars into their campaigns. Dabakis has given his campaign more than $108,000, while Ibarra has put more than $85,000 toward the race.
In the past month, two candidates in particular have picked up some big-name donations. Erin Mendenhall got a check from Gov. Gary Herbert’s leadership PAC, while Luz Escamilla got checks from Utah Jazz owner Gail Miller and Real Salt Lake owner Dell Loy Hansen, as well as from current mayor Jackie Biskupski’s wife, Betty Iverson. Miller also donated to Dabakis earlier this year.
Dabakis leads the pack with the most money in the bank — more than $170,000 — in the final stretch before the Aug. 13 primary, which will narrow the field to two candidates who will battle it out in the general election in November.
