BYU Zip Code Largest Contributor To Romney Campaign
This story was written by Marie Magleby, The Daily Universe
The largest contributing ZIP code to Mitt Romney's presidential campaign funds is Provo, Utah's very own 84604, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
So far, the 84604 ZIP code has contributed $323,158 to Romney's campaign. Residents of 84604 have also contributed funds to Rudolph Giuliani, John McCain, Ron Paul, John Edwards and Barack Obama.
Romney has not lived in Provo since he graduated from BYU in 1971 and moved to Massachusetts to attend Harvard University. His wife, Ann, and their five sons are all BYU graduates.
Romney shares religious beliefs with many Provo residents, but many say that does not affect their vote.
Darren Jackson, a senior majoring in international relations, is president of the BYU College Democrats. "I thought it [support for Romney] would be almost overbearing, but I've found that that isn't necessarily the case," Jackson said. "People aren't just going to vote for him because he's LDS."
Matt Waldrip, a 2007 political science graduate, now works for the Romney campaign.
"I have rarely met a Mormon that supports Mitt Romney just because he's a Mormon," Waldrip said. "As far as blind following, I think Americans are smarter than that."
In funds, Romney trails behind Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama who have $90 million and $80 million, respectively. Romney has $62 million, and Giuliani comes in fourth, with $47 million.
Both Clinton and Obama held fund-raisers in Park City earlier this year.
Campaigning for the presidential office can be expensive. In fact, Romney currently leads the candidates in debt with $17.35 million. Clinton has incurred the second-largest debt with $2.34 million.
The 10021 ZIP code in Upper Eastern New York City is a top-three contributor for Clinton, Obama, Romney and Giuliani. It also contributed funds to Edwards, McCain, Bill Richardson, Chris Dodd and Joe Biden. Ritzy 10021 sits east of Central Park and includes Fifth, Madison and Park Avenues.
The law requires candidates to report contributions exceeding $200.
The public can track political campaign finances at www.opensecrets.org, the official website for the Center for Responsive Politics. The website classifies contributions by location, gender, industry and business sector, and breaks down each candidate's expenditures.
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