The replacement for resigning Senate Minority Whip Ron Allen may be a face familiar to fellow legislators.

One day after being appointed to the state's Public Service Commission, Allen, D-Stansbury Park, formally notified Democratic Party leaders that he would be stepping down from the Senate as soon as a replacement is chosen. Allen leaves after seven years in the Senate.

"I've enjoyed my service and the challenges of navigating my way through competing interests," Allen said.

As of Thursday, three people, all current or former legislators, had notified the Utah Democratic Party to express an interest in running for Allen's seat, State Party Chairman Donald Dunn said. Because Senate District 12 covers two counties, Salt Lake and Tooele, the state party is overseeing the selection of the new senator.

Dunn said that current Rep. Brent Goodfellow, D-Salt Lake, was the only one to formally tell the party he intended to seek the appointment, but former representative Dan Tuttle, who served seven terms, and former three-term senator Millie Peterson had both contacted the party about the opening. Peterson lost to Allen in 2002 for the seat after redistricting moved both senators into the same district.

A meeting of District 12 delegates will be held March 19 at Hunter High School at 11 a.m. to choose the new senator. Candidates must notify the party in writing by March 17 of their intention to run.

Senate leaders expressed disappointment at the loss of Allen, who was characterized by Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, as a strong advocate for what he believed was best. While that made him a formidable foe when he was in the opposition, it also made him a strong partner on bipartisan issues.

"He was a very worthy adversary when he was on the opposing side and a valuable ally when we worked together," Valentine said. "I personally will miss him very much."

Senate Minority Leader Mike Dmitrich, D-Price, said that Allen played a major role in the generally unified front which Democratic senators had during the most recent legislative session. Most likely, current Minority Assistant Whip Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake, will replace Allen as the whip.

Allen was also very strong on technology and tax issues, owing to his telecommun- ications background and work as an accountant, Dmitrich said, and replacing his knowledge could be the most difficult part of losing him.

Allen said his greatest regret was never bringing hate crimes to floor debate in the Senate, but otherwise "I'm comfortable with my accomplishments." During his time, he served on the higher education, revenue and taxation and executive appropriations committees. He has also been a member of the Energy and Electric Utilities Standing Committee for the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Allen recently sold his private consulting business, although he continues to teach college courses part-time. He has served as the fire chief for the North Tooele County Fire Department.

The one thing he won't lose by moving from the Senate to the PSC: a prime, covered parking spot at the state capitol.

"I've been spoiled," Allen said about his new parking spot,"which is right by the door, just like when I was in the Senate. So I'm glad I took the job."

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Contributing: Associated Press

E-mail: jloftin@desnews.com