Hansen joins strong field in GOP race for governor

Former U.S. Rep. James Hansen, who has hinted since early summer he may enter the 2004 gubernatorial race, says the time for hinting is over.

He's in.

Hansen, an 11-term Republican congressman who did not seek re-election in 2002, joins an already crowded field full of strong contenders bidding to succeed popular three-term incumbent Mike Leavitt.

The slate includes political workhorses in the GOP like former House Speaker Nolan Karras, from Roy, and is expected to draw entry from current House Speaker Marty Stephens, also from Weber County. Former U.S. Ambassador Jon Huntsman Jr., son of billionaire and philanthropist Jon Huntsman, is also in the hunt.

The list goes on, and arguably makes the contest the biggest political attraction in Utah since 1992, the last time there was an open seat for the state's top chief executive position.

"It's going to be an exciting year if you like politics," said Chris Bleak, executive director of the State Republican Party. "Anytime there is an open seat for governor, there is even more heightened interest. It is a critical position, and both parties should rightly want to have their person in office. No wonder it is a fight."

Hansen, from Farmington, has set up a campaign phone line and says he intends to file campaign committee papers with the lieutenant governor's office on Oct. 1. He's waiting until then so there is no confusion over the conversion of his federal campaign accounts into his run for state office.

Top Republican candidates will be glad-handing delegates in advance of the May 8 GOP convention. Barring a split vote, forcing a primary election, the highest vote-getter there will emerge to face the Democrat's anticipated choice, Scott Matheson Jr.

"It is a race that is going to be hard to handicap because of the number of strong candidates," Bleak said. "It will boil down to who decides to put in the work needed to win the nomination. . . . It is going to be a fight for these delegates' minds, decided by whoever has the ideas and who can make people feel best about their vision and where they want to go with the state."

Hansen said his 42 years of public service qualifies him to lead the state and is an advantage over many of the other candidates.

"I honestly feel like I have contributed to the state of Utah," he said. "I know how hard it is, and I am one of the few who have been in this business a long time."