Students key in mayoral campaigns

During a typical week of campaigning, U student Ingrid Price can be seen riding through town on a Ralph Becker bicycle, emblazoned with one of the Democratic mayoral candidate's bright yellow signs, writing press releases for Becker's website or drafting his daily schedule.

Price, former director of the Associated Students of the University of Utah Government Relations Board, is part of Becker's full-time staff -- one of many U students working for local campaigns this year.

"There are interns in almost every single campaign," said Courtney McBeth, intern coordinator for the Hinckley Institute of Politics. "The majority of volunteers and campaign managers are either current or former students through the Hinckley Institute."

McBeth said upward of 40 students are interning for political campaigns right now, making up a large part of the crowd at yesterday's Impact Day held in the Union, an event sponsored by ASUU featuring most mayoral and City Council candidates.

Price said she initially decided to back Becker because of his support for the U during the spring legislative session, when administrators and student government leaders lobbied for the funding of the Student Life Center. Becker is the Senate Minority Leader and was a member of the Capitol Facilities Committee, which approved the bond for the recreational center.

"He was very responsive to students," Price said. "It was a big advantage to the U."

At Impact Day, Becker said he would focus on the public education system, the environment and creating a "gathering place" in local neighborhoods and the downtown area. Known as "Blueprint Man," Becker has outlined these platform points on his website.

U students, with or without previous political experience, are working for each of the mayoral front-runners.

Former ASUU Marketing Director Jonny Harman is campaign manager for Republican Dave Buhler. Although Harman is involved in the College Democrats, he said he supports Buhler's moderate views.

"On a city level, most partisan issues don't matter," Harman said. "He's the type of guy that can appeal to both sides."

Buhler said he has about 12 U students working on his campaign full time and about a dozen others working "here and there."

As most of the candidates, Buhler said he supports a more vibrant downtown for U students. He also said he would try to involve more U students in internships and make more housing available to students throughout the city.

"My (campaign) colors are crimson red," Buhler said. "That tells who's the best candidate for the U."

Danika Grove, who graduated from the U last May with a degree in sociology and behavioral science and health, is one of about 10 student interns for Democrat Jenny Wilson, the candidate she said is a "woman who knows what's she's doing."

Grove said she decided to work for Wilson because of her support of diversity issues.

"She supports gay and lesbians, and wants everyone to be treated equally in the workforce and schools," Grove said.

Wilson, who was involved in the Hinckley Institute during her time at the U, said she is committed to environmental issues, including preserving the foothills and pushing for more energy-efficient buildings.

"I have a legacy of interest in the environment and a deep concern to where we're headed," Wilson said.

Although Grove is only required to work 15 hours each week for her internship, she often works much more. McBeth said interns are required to work at least 15 hours each week, but some put in more than 40 hours. Through the Hinckley Institute, interns can receive between three and six credit hours for their internships, depending on the number of hours they work.

Mark Nord, who graduated from the U in 2006 with a degree in political science, is the grass-roots manager for Republican candidate Keith Christensen and enlists others to work on the campaign.

Nord said he decided to support Christensen when Nord was working as a lobbyist at the state capitol three years ago.

"I felt like we needed someone in the mayoral position to benefit Salt Lake City," Nord said. "His experience stands out. If you're running a company and looking for a CEO... you want to hire the one that has the track record."

Christensen has 14 U interns working on his campaign. He listed education, crime, the environment and transit as his top issues.

Nord said working on a campaign is a way for students to learn the political process.

"This is an amazing time in life... when students are able to give of their time and energy knocking doors and seeing how politics work firsthand," McBeth said.

r.mcconkie@chronicle.utah.edu