Matheson called for the ban on Tuesday, but Smith refused, arguing on Friday that there is nothing wrong with the party spending money to highlight issues important to Salt Lake Valley voters. Smith also accused Matheson of making the pitch to avoid being aligned with his own party.
Soft money refers to unlimited funds collected by political parties.
Vote for this candidate. First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and Rep. Rick Lazio have agreed to call for a ban on soft money in their New York Senate race, but that agreement has been criticized since there is no way to enforce it. Keeping soft money out of the Utah race would work to Matheson's advantage. Journal Sentinel Inc. All rights reserved.