Saying tomorrow's state Republican convention is up for grabs, former Congressman Jim Hansen announced Thursday that Layton Mayor Jerry Stevenson is his choice for a lieutenant governor running mate.

Hansen, who served 22 years in the U.S. House from northern Utah's 1st Congressional District, is one of eight GOP gubernatorial candidates hoping to survive Saturday's convention. In announcing his choice of Stevenson on the state Capitol's south steps, Hansen, 71, said that together they have 65 years of public service and government experience.

Not only could Stevenson, 56 and in his third term as mayor, step in to be governor should something happen to Hansen, the former congressman said he would place a Lt. Gov. Stevenson over several critical state departments.

"I'm one who can share responsibility," Hansen said.

The two said they had been friends for 35 years and worked together on government problems concerning northern Utah.

"I'm comfortable with Jerry," said Hansen.

"I'm honored just to have my name next to his," said Stevenson.

Hansen said he doesn't know where the rumors come that say he may drop out of the race and support another candidate. Likewise, any polls or surveys of the 3,500 GOP delegates that show him trailing are meaningless, Hansen added.

"We think we're doing fine with the delegates (and I) believe we're close to (having) 1,400 of them" in his camp, said Hansen.

But anyone who thinks they can accurately measure, or even predict, what will happen Saturday is way off base, he said.

"I've been through 19 elections, never losing one. I've seen all kinds of conventions. And the only thing you can be sure of is that there will be some great surprises Saturday."

The convention "is the biggest crap shoot of all time," Hansen added.

Stevenson's third term as mayor doesn't end until 2006, so he doesn't have to give up his office to run with Hansen. The Layton mayor's post is a part-time job, and Stevenson has continued running J&J Nursery and Garden Center with family members.

Before winning the mayorship, Stevenson served two terms on the Layton City Council and 6 1/2 years on the city's planning and zoning commission. He's served on dozens of boards and commissions in northern Davis County.

Stevenson said he's often been asked to step up to higher office — he says he could have been appointed to the state Senate last year when a resignation provided the opportunity. "But the timing wasn't right. Now it is" to run with Hansen, he said.

"Some may be surprised that I picked a guy who lives 10 miles up the road from me," said Hansen, a Farmington native. "But that (geographic balance) doesn't matter. You run for all of Utah and serve all of Utah," he said.