From Deseret News archives:
Political forum attracts few candidates
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."
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.
E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com
Comments
- Singers help mark Velvet Revolution 11:02 p.m.
- Denzel watches son at hoops game 11:02 p.m.
- Gabor's lawyer blames Madoff 11:01 p.m.
- Hawaii's beaches shrinking 10:59 p.m.
- Release of detainee photos blocked 10:58 p.m.
- Universities turning to consultants 10:57 p.m.
- 1-drug lethal injection in Ohio 10:56 p.m.
- Proposed campaign donation limits 10:52 p.m.
- Are donation limits effective? 10:52 p.m.
- Real Salt Lake advances to MLS Cup 10:51 p.m.
- Apostle's wife felt comfort in attack
- Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
- Short-handed Jazz fly past Sixers
- D-Will home for daughter
- Bench proves fruitful for Y.
- Utes excited for 'dream' game
- Crash on snowy road kills woman
- Born of water and the spirit
- GameDay in Fort Worth
- BYU happy to escape with victory
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
358 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
200 - BYU happy to escape with victory
190 - Senators want food tax restored
165 - Will state consider gay rights law?
148 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
130 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
129 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
113 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
106
If you are looking for a bird on the cheap, the following specials from...
How do you handle kids and contests? Our oldest daughter, 7, is of the...
A.K. Clearly Blew It. What the heck was he thinking. Blew the game after all...
OK, How about an open discussion about what power is being exercised by the...
Um no. Every night is family night in my house. I think it is a sad...
Utah is a good team but we got ourselves smacked in the mouth. Then we...
Okay, let's play that game. Those last two Ute touchdowns were in garbage...
I honestly see dwill's attempt at more shots this year a symptom rather than...
BYU was not lucky to win this game, they were far superior than a terrible...
Wow- reading all these replies just tells me there is a lot of bitter Utah...
Today was great. Now on to a victory in two weeks in Provo, then, a real...
I've been reading posts all evening and it's hilarious. I don't know who...

You can be the first to comment on this story.