Adam Ford is running for the state Senate as a Democrat because he believes the Republicans in power have "begun to lose their moral compass."

Ford, vying to unseat Republican District 11 Sen. Howard Stephenson, told those who attended a "Political Candidates Forum" Thursday that he was frustrated with the decision in the last legislative session against funding vision and dental benefits for Medicaid recipients.

Candidates of all political parties were invited to the forum, hosted by the Salt Lake Branch NAACP at the Utah State Bar Law and Justice Center.

However, most of those who attended the forum, like Ford, were in Utah's political minority, and called for a change in control of the state and federal government and more accountability.

With the exception of Salt Lake County races, no Republican candidates showed. In the case of federal races, no incumbents showed.

"I believe the government should be run for the people," said Pete Ashdown, a Democrat hoping to unseat Sen. Orrin Hatch. Personal Choice Senate candidate Roger Price said the Patriot Act "has got to be an oxymoron."

Bob Brister, a Green Party candidate seeking Democratic Rep. Jim Matheson's seat, said the United States needs to withdraw from Iraq now, and the minimum wage should be a living wage.

Christian Burridge, a Democrat vying to unseat Rep. Chris Cannon, said: "It's time for someone to go in there and stand up for our rights."

Salt Lake City Attorney Sim Gill, a Democrat running for County District Attorney, said if elected he'd create a citizen advisory board to build "better race relations, better relations with the community." Republican candidate Lohra Miller said she wants to hold accountable those who commit crimes such as domestic violence and drunken driving.

"Law enforcement is frustrated, victims are frustrated," she said.

Other candidates who attended were: Republican Salt Lake County Auditor Sean Thomas and Democratic challenger Jeff Hatch; Republican Salt Lake County Assessor Lee Gardner and Democratic challenger Josie Valdez; Republican Salt Lake County Recorder Gary Ott; Democratic Salt Lake County Councilman Joe Hatch; Democratic Sen. Ed Mayne, D-West Valley and Ken Larsen, Personal Choice candidate for Senate District 2.

More information on the candidates' point of views will be made available on the organization's Web site, www.naacp-saltlakebranch.org.

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E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com