Bridgewater loans self $276K to challenge Bennett

SALT LAKE CITY -- U.S. Senate hopeful Tim Bridgewater has loaned himself $276,000 in his bid to unseat U.S. Sen. Bob Bennett at the Republican convention this May.

Bridgewater is one of four Republicans challenging Bennett, who has been criticized by some Republicans for not being conservative enough.

Year-end Federal Election Commission reports show Bridgewater has about $286,000 in cash on hand. Bennett's campaign reported Monday it has about $796,000 in cash on hand.

Bennett reported raising about $400,000 in the past three months, but spent nearly all of that.

Restaurateur Sam Granato is the lone Democrat in the race.

At the end of September, Granato reported having about $9,000 in cash on hand.