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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- U.S. Sen. Bob Bennett has raised and spent nearly $400,000 in the past three months as he gears up for what could be one of his toughest re-election campaigns.
Financial disclosure reports released by Bennett's campaign Monday show he has about $796,000 in cash on hand -- a figure that likely will be difficult for any of his competitors to match.
Bennett is seeking a fourth term in office but is facing four challengers from within his own Republican Party who contend Bennett isn't conservative enough.
Bennett has taken criticism from conservatives for supporting a bailout of the nation's financial system.
None of Bennett's challengers have much name recognition, but that's not critical in the unique system used in Utah to choosing party nominees.
In the state, 3,500 delegates choose the party's nominee in May. Only candidates who fail to garner at least 60 percent of delegate votes are forced into a June primary.
Delegates to the GOP convention are selected during neighborhood caucuses in March, resulting in much of the campaigning taking place out of the public eye.
A message left with Bennett's campaign spokesman and son, Jim Bennett, was not immediately returned.
One of Bennett's challengers, Tim Bridgewater, is preparing for a primary.
Bridgewater has loaned himself $276,000, believing that Republican voters are frustrated enough with Bennett that it's a worthwhile investment. Bridgewater has about $286,000 in cash on hand.
"I think Sen. Bennett represents the past ... way of doing things in Washington -- horse trading and pork barrel spending," Bridgewater said.
Bennett's other Republican challengers include Cherilyn Eagar, Mike Lee and James Williams.
Restaurateur Sam Granato is the lone Democrat in the race.
At the end of September, Granato reported having about $9,000 in cash on hand.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
