BENJAMIN — Kenneth Peay, former Utah Highway Patrol commander in Utah County, has announced he will run for the Utah Senate on the Democratic ticket. Peay said he understands the needs of the county better than the current representative, Mark Madsen.

Peay grew up in south Utah County and currently resides in Benjamin.

He said his main concerns are growing crime, need for health insurance for every Utahn, as well as better schools and roads. Treatment and rehabilitation are needed for nonviolent drug abusers, he said. He recognized the need for growth in the county but also said the growth needs to be controlled with better infrastructure. An advocate of mass transit, Peay said he would move to create more alternative transit opportunities in Utah County. He also said he will work to improve public schools.

Peay also said that his years of service as a law enforcement officer will help him be a good senator.

David Huff, a longtime friend of Peay and an administrator at Spanish Fork Junior High School, said he knows Peay will do the job well if he is elected.