Sept. 30, 1999
In less than a week, 11 candidates will become two, running for Salt Lake City Mayor.
The Primary Election is next Tuesday, and there are a lot of people who can hardly wait.
Political Specialist Richard Piatt has more.
The primary election will be a relief for everyone-- the candidates especially are getting tired of fighting for attention in this highly competitive race.
Jim Bradley is trying to accelerate his campaign by proposing more costly speeding tickets.
This is one of several close-to-last-minute attention getters the candidates for mayor are trying out.
It's near the end of a long summer.
Jim Bradley/Candidate For Mayor: "THIS HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT RACES I'VE EVER BEEN INVOLVED WITH, AND I'VE RUN FOR GOVERNOR AND FOR SALT LAKE COUNTY COMMISSION."
From downtown to the near west side, 11 candidates are fighting for attention as the clock runs down.
In front of Salt Lake City's mission, candidate John Renteria has another idea. He pledges $50,000 of his first year's salary to Salt Lake City's homeless.
The way he stands out, he says, is to set an example.
John Renteria/Candidate For Mayor: "I BELIEVE THE OTHER CANDIDATES ALSO OWE IT TO THE DISENFRANCHISED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE CONDITIONS OF OUR CITY."
Outside the Convention and Visitors bureau, Dave Jones attacks Bradley's hotel room tax idea.
But when you're running against 10 other people, the battle between two can get lost in the shuffle.
Dave Jones/Candidate For Mayor: "WHEN WE HAVE DEBATES, YOU'VE GOT 12 CANDIDATES SITTING ALL IN A ROW, YOU'VE GOT ONE MINUTE OPENERS AND 30 SECOND RESPONSES AND YOU CAN'T POSSIBLE ADDRESS ANY ISSUES IN ANY DEPTH."
Experts say lots of candidates can mean high voter turnout.
They'll vote all right. But exactly who they'll vote for is still up in the air.
"NO ONE STRIKES ME AS AN ESPECIALLY STRONG CANDIDATE. THEY ALL SEEM THE SAME. --BUT YOU'LL STILL VOTE?-- OH, OF COURSE, ESPECIALLY IN THE PRIMARY."
"THERE'RE JUST TOO MANY, NOTHING IS BEING SAID. YOU HAVE TO GO SEARCH, BUT THAT'S PART OF IT ANYWAY."
In fact, turnout is expected to be as high as 30 percent.
If more than 33 per cent vote next Tuesday, it'll be a record turnout for the Salt Lake City mayor's primary.
