GOP prepares to fill seat

PROVO — As expected, Utah House Majority Leader Jeff Alexander, R-Provo, submitted his resignation Wednesday, three weeks after he won re-election, and Utah County Republicans began the process of filling his vacant seat for the next two years.

Alexander's resignation is effective Jan. 1, when what would have been his ninth term is scheduled to begin.

Alexander ran unopposed this fall and earned 98 percent of the vote, even though he had announced on Oct. 3 that he would resign to take a job as an adviser for the Governor's Office of Economic Development.

His resignation gives the Republican Party the opportunity to select his replacement. Those interested must file a letter of intent. Utah County Republican delegates in District 62 will elect Alexander's replacement on Jan. 2.

"I'm not going to endorse anybody, and I haven't had anybody in mind to take this position," said Alexander, who added that when he filed to run again in March, he had no idea he would begin to entertain ideas of leaving office in mid-September.

He said he told Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. that he was thinking of stepping down, and Huntsman proposed ways Alexander could help him. The job is a part-time one, which will allow him to spend more time in his business working with his three sons after 16 years in the House.

"I never planned on serving that long," Alexander said. "It was a great experience, but I think there does come a time when it's time to make a change."

His resignation weakened Utah County's dominance of leadership positions in the state Legislature, though he had been expected to face a fierce battle to retain his position as majority leader. Rep. Dave Clark, R-Santa Clara, will replace Alexander.

Utah County still is represented in Legislative leadership by Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, and Senate Majority Leader Curt Bramble, R-Provo, but has no one in House leadership.

Alexander said that shouldn't be a problem as the county focuses on transportation.

"The Utah Department of Transportation sees Utah County as a priority," he said. "The bigger issue there is with the full Legislature and the governor making a decision to find a very big funding source to meet the transportation needs around the state."

The Utah County leadership did help focus the Legislature on the growth and needs of Utah Valley State College, Alexander said.