Democrats choose Hispanic woman as Lt. Gov. nominee
Valdez, the former assistant director of the Small Business Administration Office in Salt Lake City, was nominated by gubernatorial candidate Bob Springmeyer after he told delegates he was the "good jobs, good education, good health, clean air and clean water candidate for governor."
Springmeyer, who was asked by party leaders to run against the popular GOP incumbent, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., is being challenged for the Democratic nomination by Matt Frandsen and Monty Nafoosi. Frandsen told delegates he is behind an initiative to change the state's income tax structure and Nafoosi outlined his plan to build electric cars in Utah and make them available to residents for about $300 a month.
Valdez won't be the only family member on the November ballot. Her husband, Rep. Mark Wheatley, D-Murray, is running for re-election.
The gubernatorial race was the highest-profile contest at Saturdays's convention at the Salt Palace Convention Center. But Friday night, Democrats chose their national delegates, including a sixth superdelegate that will vote for Sen. Barack Obama.
E-mail: lisa@desnews.com
Recent comments
....what qualifies Ms. Valdez to be the Lt. Gov? Has she any experience...
I want to know... | May 12, 2008 at 2:40 p.m.
First of all, Josie has always gone by Valdez and her husband is...
White turned Latino | May 11, 2008 at 11:05 a.m.
Great news. Always good to see a Texan make good in other states...
Former Resident in Texas | May 10, 2008 at 9:59 p.m.
