U alumnus, Bob Springmeyer, knows he faces an uphill battle. In Utah’s 112-year history, only six Democrats have become governor, but for Springmeyer, seven is a lucky number.
“There’s no question I’m the underdog,” said Springmeyer, 65. “Some people have described me as the sacrificial lamb. This is an excellent year to be a Democrat, but whether that translates down to being an excellent year to be a Democrat running against an incumbent for governor is going to be the test.”
Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., elected into his first term in 2005, enjoys one of the strongest approval ratings ever by a Utah governor at 84 percent, according to a June poll by Dan Jones & Associates.
But popularity isn’t the only advantage Huntsman has on Springmeyer. Campaign donation checks eclipsing $20,000 aren’t uncommon in the Huntsman camp, Springmeyer said, but to him, a $250 check is a large contribution.
Springmeyer, a self-described “local boy,” graduated from the U with two bachelor’s degrees, one in economics in 1966 and the other in political science in 1967. He has remained active in the school community, chairing the International Center’s board and sitting on the Bennion Community Service Center’s and College of Science’s advisory boards.
“The University of Utah has been a major part of my life,” he said. “Most of my friends, even today, are friends that I made when I was at the U.”
After graduating, Springmeyer worked as a financial consultant in California for five years before returning to Utah, where he ran for Salt Lake County commissioner in 1976, but lost by one-half of a percent. For the last 32 years, Springmeyer has run Bonneville Research, a Salt Lake City-based consulting firm.
In the past several years, Springmeyer became frustrated with local politicians. When local Democratic leaders began pushing him to run against Huntsman last year, his restlessness turned to motivation. Springmeyer declared his candidacy March 17 for the office of governor.
“I’ve been angry for several years watching the legislative leadership divert money that is supposed to go to public education and not adequately fund higher education,” Springmeyer said. “It’s absolutely short-sighted and it’s gotten worse. They haven’t kept up with growth, and higher education is Utah’s biggest and most important industry.”
Jayne Nelson, assistant director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics, said despite Springmeyer’s experience, conservative voters outside of Salt Lake City are unlikely to cast their ballots in favor of anyone aside from Huntsman.
“Bob is a great guy and the Democrats are going to do well on the national scale this year,” Nelson said. “But with the climate in Utah right now, he doesn’t have much of a chance.”
For Springmeyer, the presidential election and all of its media attention might actually detract from his local presence. At the Avenues Street Fair in downtown Salt Lake City this summer, Springmeyer was overwhelmed by the amount of people who approached his campaign tent looking for Barack Obama stickers and lawn signs. Few, he said, were even aware of the looming gubernatorial race.
“There’s very little awareness, even among people that read newspapers, that there are other races going on,” he said. “It hasn’t seemed to register yet.”
