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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Financial disclosure reports due Tuesday show Utah Gov. Gary Herbert has about twice as much cash on hand as his Democratic opponent, who already has begun airing television commercials.
Herbert's campaign reported having more than $1 million in his account, while Peter Corroon's campaign says its report shows it has about $500,000.
Herbert's campaign has raised nearly $2.4 million, according to campaign chairman Don Olsen. Meanwhile, Corroon has raised $1.5 million.
"We always knew that they were going to outraise us, but we feel great that we raised over $1.5 million and that we've got 3,923 donors, or donations," Corroon campaign manager Donald Dunn said. "It's a competitive race."
The reports include donations and expenditures through Thursday. It is the last time candidates are required to report how much cash they have on hand until seven days before the election. Candidates are required to report any donations they receive within 30 days, but political action committees that the campaigns use for fundraising are exempt. The law also doesn't require candidates to report expenditures within 30 days.
Both campaigns are voluntarily posting contributions they receive on their websites, although as of late Tuesday Herbert's hadn't been updated since Aug. 13 and Corroon's since Aug. 20.
Herbert had previously pledged to post contributions online within 48 hours of receipt.
"This is above and beyond the requirements of the law, but I feel it is important that the citizens of Utah know who is supporting the candidacy of their governor," his website says above his list of contributions.
Olsen said he wasn't sure why contributions from the past few weeks hadn't been posted but said there were technical difficulties.
A recent poll showed Corroon trailing Herbert by more than 30 percentage points. Corroon's campaign is hoping a substantial media campaign can help turn things around.
Herbert spokesman Don Olsen said the governor will also begin airing commercials soon.
"We are well-funded going forward and we will have a robust media campaign -- all media -- and it will all be issue-oriented," Olsen said.
Olsen declined to say when Herbert commercials would hit the airwaves, saying he wouldn't discuss campaign strategy in the media.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
