OREM — A longtime Orem resident, educator and Democrat announced Monday that he is running for a seat in the Utah House of Representatives.

Boyd McAffee will challenge Rep. Brad Daw, R-Orem, for the District 60 seat in November, hoping to bring his experience in education to the Legislature.

In 2005, McAffee retired from Valley View Elementary in Pleasant Grove after teaching sixth grade for 30 years. He is still the administrator of Clear Creek, Alpine School District's outdoor education program.

During his campaign kick-off speech at the SCERA Center for the Arts in Orem, several friends and neighbors spoke, touting McAffee's strong work ethic and leadership.

Some even pushed aside their own Republican persuasion, saying they will vote for McAffee, the better candidate.

"I think we should be thinking more about voting for people rather than voting for a party," said Wayne Crabb, who has served with McAffee on the board of directors for Alpine Credit Union.

McAffee has served on that board for 29 years with several rotations as chairman of the board.

"I'm also a Republican," said neighbor Dennie Butterfield. "But I've never voted straight Republican in my life, and I don't intend to start now. I intend to vote for Boyd McAffee."

Both men said they were dissatisfied with the current direction of the Republican Party in Utah and felt that their needs, specifically in Utah County, were not being addressed.

"I need to knock on doors, listen and find out what the concerns are, and I will do that," McAffee vowed.

He is married to Marleen Hopkins McAffee. The couple has five children and seven grandchildren.

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