'Mr. Nobody' is surprised

PROVO — Mr. Nobody didn't think he could do it.

As the polls closed Tuesday night, Steve Turley told the Deseret Morning News that incumbent Stan Lockhart was unbeatable. Turley said he was already planning future political campaigns, if his wife would allow it.

But then the unimaginable happened. Turley, who earned 4,096 votes, upset popular incumbent Lockhart, who claimed 3,874, in a close race to win the citywide council position.

"I had every expectation that I was going to lose," Turley said. "I had all the hopes in the world, but no realistic expectations."

After Lockhart sent out a flier with the endorsement of numerous Utah political powerhouses — including Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, Utah House Majority Whip Jeff Alexander, R-Provo and Utah Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo — Turley said he thought he had no chance to win with that sort of opposition.

"If that wasn't a death blow," Turley said. "What are you supposed to do with something like that?"

Endorsements or not, Turley maintained an early lead. The Provo business owner sat nervously in the back of the City Council Chambers as results slowly came in. As more and more precinct totals were tallied, Lockhart inched closer and closer, but Turley was able to hold on for the close win.

It was a mammoth task to take on a political stronghold like Lockhart, Turley said. Lockhart is a popular local politician with a long political career ahead of him.

"He has done an amazing job," Turley said of his opponent. "He has really served the people of Provo well, and he deserves recognition for that."

Turley touted an agenda that directly opposed some recent council decisions regarding which neighborhoods in Provo can have rental properties. Voters apparently took notice.

Lockhart controlled most of the precincts on the east and west side of town, where there aren't many rental properties. But Turley was the victor in the majority of the central Provo precincts, where landlords rule.

"I think Steve Turley is more in favor of property rights than others," said voter Patrick Wyman, who works in real estate. "I have not been really pleased with everything that has been going on in local government."

During his campaign, Turley said it was about time for a fresh face in Provo City government.

Turley claims the citizens of Provo are unhappy with local leadership, and neighborhoods feel bullied by recent Council actions.