From Deseret News archives:

Unexciting races, weather blamed in primaries as residents stay home

Published: Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2005 9:06 a.m. MDT
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Election officials in Lehi said they did not have an exact count on provisional ballots but said there would not be enough to significantly change the unofficial results.

Former Provo Mayor George Stewart learned Tuesday night that he faces a strong opponent in his bid to return to city politics after an eight-year absence. Stewart earned 44.8 percent of the votes for Provo's open citywide council seat, but Mark Sumsion had 43.4 percent. Only 40 votes separated the men.

"I had hoped to get 50 percent," Stewart said. "It didn't happen, but I know where to work now. There are two or three precincts where I'm going to spend some time. One is his; the other two are in Indian Hills and that really surprised me."

Stewart did reach 50 percent midway through the night, but that was before Sumsion's district reported. At that time, Sumsion said, "I hope I narrow the gap between us. I think George is a fine guy, and he's had his chance and now it's mine."

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Two-term Provo councilmember Paul Warner faced an unusual challenge from a group of six disgruntled people in his race for re-election in the northeast Provo district. The band of five men and one woman decided to run against Warner en masse with the understanding that whomever finished second to Warner in the primary would get the support of the others in the general election.

Warner polled in the 30s most of the night but got a boost when his home precinct reported late, jumping to nearly 46 percent.

"I was hoping for something in that area with six other people going at me," Warner said. "It's been a very strange deal."

His opponent will be Cindy J. Clark, wife of state Rep. Stephen Clark, R-Provo. She edged BYU political science professor Ray Christensen by 20 votes.

"I'm excited," Clark said. "I think we sent a great message with grassroots building. I think people are ready for change here. I think the percentages were great tonight. I think people are ready for a change in Provo. We need some more unity on that council. It's a little divisive on that council. We'll give it our all."

In Salt Lake County one major incumbent was booted from office and a couple significant politicians had narrow races that may spell trouble for them come November.

Maybe most surprisingly was the tight race incumbent Sandy Mayor Tom Dolan — probably the biggest Salt Lake County politician up for re-election this year — survived. Dolan, who has been called the one of the most powerful mayors in Utah and has a huge war chest, gained only 53 percent of the vote, with anti-gravel pit development candidate Gary Forbush securing 40 percent.

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Mez Stewart leaves the voting booth after casting his ballot in the Payson City Council primaries at the Peteetneet Academy.

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