Energy seeking Demos toss out incumbents

Utah Democrats tossed out the establishment Saturday, as state delegates chose Donald Dunn over incumbent Meg Holbrook, the first woman to ever head a political party in Utah.

Holbrook lost her fight to retain the state party chairmanship, which she has held for six years, by a resounding two-to-one margin, coming up with only 291 of the delegates' votes compared to Dunn's 579.

The party's 2003 organizing convention, at Salt Lake City's Highland High School, saw a fresh slate of "new generation" Democrats beat the established "old guard," also bringing in Nancy Jane Woodside as vice chairwoman, Carlos Vasquez as secretary and Lisa Allcott as treasurer.

Holbrook, in a prepared statement, said she remains committed to the Democratic Party, will support Dunn and her main goal is to elect Scott Matheson Jr. as Utah's next governor.

Organizers and longtime delegates said the attendance of close to 1,000 delegates rivaled election-year gatherings, signifying a regenerated party tired of being overshadowed by the Republican majority.

"You couldn't have asked for better turnout," said the party's executive director, Todd Taylor. "Easily between 1,800 to 2,000 people over the day cycled in and out."

While much of the attraction and curiosity may be attributed to the intra-party challenge for Holbrook's position, another draw was Matheson's first full-blown appearance to build support among the party faithful.

"Some say it is hard to elect a Democrat in Utah. Well, I say bring it on," Matheson told a cheering crowd. "I say our time has come. I see a future where closed caucuses and back-room deals are a thing of the past."

Matheson struck a theme of "change is due" that reverberated throughout the convention, with delegates repeating to each other that Holbrook's leadership was ripe for replacement so Democrats could build a more aggressive, involved party.

'New energy'

After learning he had won, Dunn credited that sentiment to his victory. "I think people are ready to have some new energy," he said.

Dunn made plain he's tired of Democrats being the quiet minority.

"We are proud, confident and bold," he told delegates. "I will not be afraid to hold the GOP accountable for its hard-edged, right-wing radical agenda."