"It's being very patronizing to the gay community," Huffmon said. "I'm not LDS, and I think the LDS stand on gays is way behind the times. Just as they moved on other issues in the past, I believe they'll move on this issue in the future."

She and the Daily Democrats want to take back the platform.

"We're aware of the direction Richard wants to take the party, and we're concerned," Huffmon said. "I feel that we've tried to keep the party an inclusive party, and they're talking about mainstream Democrats."

Moderate LDS Democrats Adam Ford and Ken Peay ran for the state Legislature last year and are endorsing Davis and the New Democrats.

"If Democrats want to win elections in Utah County, the Richard Davis slate is the face we want to put forward," Ford said.

State party chairman Wayne Holland, Utah Senate Minority Leader Mike Dmitrich and Senate Minority Caucus Manager Pat Jones also endorsed Davis.

Huffmon has the support of state representatives Jackie Biskupski and Roz McGee and one of last year's local legislative candidates, health-care worker Susan Chasson.

Both sides believe Utah County Republican leadership is now dominated by extreme conservatives. The New Democrats see an opening for their party in the center.

"We want to demonstrate that Democrats in Utah County reflect the values of Utah County," Davis said. "We want to find candidates who are electable."

Huffmon wants to win elections, too, but not at the cost of what she sees as leaving some party members behind.

"I think they are moving in too conservative a direction," she said. "I would hate to see us become them."

For more on both sides, visit their Web sites at www.dailydemocrats.org and newutahcountydems.com.

To read the full Utah County Democratic Party platform, visit www.utahcountydemocrats.org.

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E-mail: twalch@desnews.com