Is backing by UEA the kiss of death?

But some legislators believe the union doesn't represent the average teacher and makes lawmakers out to be "the bogeyman," said Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper.

A few legislators and businessmen interviewed in the state superintendent search even suggested the State Office of Education distance itself from the union to polish its image. State associate superintendent Patrick Ogden appreciates open communication lines with the union but agrees the office needs to educate others about its independence from other groups.

It won't be easy.

The State Office of Education, UEA, superintendents and school boards associations often take similar stands in legislative hearings. Those groups stand united against tuition tax credits — an issue dear to many conservatives.

Still, it's the UEA that, for some, has come to embody the opposition. Following the June primary election, a conservative political action committee working to elect supporters of tuition tax credits proclaimed: "The UEA union's era of dominating Utah politics is over."

Parents for Choice in Education PAC, in an e-mail to news media, highlighted conservative victories, including that of Rep. Craig Buttars, R-Lewiston, and Curt Oda in District 14 and Brad Daw in District 60, whose opponents received UEA support.

"The evidence from recent elections would indicate that (the UEA is) becoming a political liability. Candidates sponsored or endorsed by the UEA have not done well," including Gov. Olene Walker, who "was unofficially endorsed by the UEA," said Elisa Clements Peterson, executive director of Parents for Choice in Education PAC. "We see a great need for innovation in handling our education crisis and the UEA is simply out of step with what the majority of Utahns want."

UEA leaders, however, point to Hogue's victory over a Parents for Choice in Education-backed opponent.

Victories have followed UEA-backed candidates in past elections, too. But chances of winning is not why some accept the union's endorsement.

"I respect teachers and the teachers my children had were so good," said Rep. Sheryl Allen, R-Bountiful. "I'm just appreciative."

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E-mail: jtcook@desnews.com