Deon Turley says she will not accept any corporate donations to her campaign.

Salt Lake Tribune, March 5, 2010
Donald W. Meyers

PROVO--Deon Turley believes in the Utahns for Ethical Government's initiative enough that she will abide by it before it even goes to voters.

Turley, who is challenging Rep. Keith Grover, R-Provo, said she will not accept any corporate donations for her campaign. The Democrat unsuccessfully challenged Grover two years ago.

"I have decided if I am going to talk the talk, I had better be willing to walk the walk," Turley said.

Turley announced her candidacy at the Provo School District's Grandview Technology Center Thursday.

UEG's initiative, which Turley supports, would bar legislators and candidates from accepting donations from corporations, labor unions and nonprofit groups.

So far, Turley has not accepted Internet provider Xmission's offer to host her Web site for free, considering that a corporate donation. Instead, she's paying for her Web hosting and is seeking donations from her prospective constituents.

She doesn't anticipate her stand putting her at too much of a disadvantage in the race. She sought donations from constituents in the last election, while Grover, she said, accepted money mostly from businesses, political action committees or fellow legislators.

Grover's general election disclosure includes donations from cigarette-maker Altria, IM Flash Technologies, House Majority Leader Kevin Garn and Rep. Craig Frank, R-Cedar Hills. Grover acknowledges that much of his fund came from corporate donors and PACs, but said he doesn't think contributions necessarily make a legislator unethical.

"I think it is important for voters to drill down and ask if you take a donation from XYZ, are you beholden to them?" Grover said.

He said it is a point he's willing to debate with Turley.

Turley said she wants to work to heal the partisan rift that has marred politics in recent years. And she has experience at that: Her husband is a registered Republican and her mother participated in the populist Tea Party movement in Ogden.

Spencer Blake, president of the Utah Academy of Science, Arts and Letters, said Turley understands the needs and issues in both public and higher education, and has the skill and social capital to advance those causes in the Legislature.

Turley said education funding is critical to Utah's economic health. "The post-recession economy will be determined by the decisions we make today," she said.

Grover noted that he is a school administrator and just opposed the Senate attempt to cut education funding.