A lonely place for Demos

Not if Utah County Republican Party chairwoman Marian Monahan can help it.

"It's been over 10 years since Utah County sent a Democrat up to the Hill," she said. "We hope to keep it that way."

She said Dmitrich doesn't count as part of the Utah County delegation because he doesn't live in the county, but she said the county GOP helps Sen. Howard Stephenson, who lives outside the county in Draper, because Stephenson represents a large part of northern Utah County.

Dmitrich said he serves Utah County, and particularly Utah Valley State College, well. He said the overwhelming Republican delegation probably helped Utah County recently land powerful leadership positions — Senate president, House majority leader, lieutenant governor.

But he also believes county residents would do well on some committees by electing some Democrats.

"I think it means a lot to Utah Valley State College to have me on the capital facilities committee," Dmitrich said. "I think it would be better because it would be good to have a little bit more moderate voice coming out of Utah County, whether it's Democrat or Republican."

Taylor doesn't know if transportation and education problems can push one of his Democratic candidates into office on Tuesday.

"I'm not sure the issues matrix is strong enough to overcome the strong partisan nature of the area," he said. "I have a suspicion that the candidate with the best numbers will be Adam Ford. There are better issues in that race.

"We love our voters in Utah County," Taylor added, "we just wish there were more of them."

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E-mail: twalch@desnews.com