Lawman to vie for 3rd District

Democrats revealed their candidate for the 3rd Congressional District on Wednesday — Beau Babka, a South Salt Lake police captain who ran for county sheriff two years ago.

Babka arrived at the state election office to fill out the necessary paperwork and pay his filing fee just hours before the final deadline, accompanied by Utah Democratic Party Chairman Donald Dunn.

Party leaders had declined to announce beforehand whom they'd chosen to challenge Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, who has held the seat since 1996, other than to say the Democratic candidate "will come as a welcome surprise to most Utah voters."

Babka, 41, said he'll give voters a chance to choose someone with "a different perspective, a perspective of the regular person. I work two or three jobs to make ends meet." He would not comment on whether he sees his opponent, a millionaire, as a "regular person."

Also unanswered by Babka were questions about what issues he believes are important in the race. He said he will hold a press conference in the next few weeks to detail his stands on immigration reform and other issues.

"I'll come forward with an official announcement and give you some insight into this candidacy," Babka said. "Right now, I am just excited and a bit overwhelmed. But it's overwhelming in a good way. I'm excited to get started."

This is not his first campaign. In 2002, Babka sought to unseat Salt Lake County Sheriff Aaron Kennard. But Kennard secured a fourth term with 55 percent of the vote. Babka has since been mentioned as a possible candidate for Salt Lake County mayor.

Democrats had looked first at state Sen. Ed Mayne, D-West Valley, to take on Cannon. The longtime state president of the AFL-CIO "was flirting with idea but the timing didn't make sense to him," Dunn said.

The party is pleased with Babka, Dunn said. "We couldn't have a better candidate than Beau," he said. "We think (with) the leadership he brings, and the energy, and his enthusiasm, and his community involvement, he has great credentials to be our next congressman."

Dunn himself ran against Cannon in 2000 and lost even though he raised more money. Cannon, who won the seat by defeating Democratic Rep. Bill Orton in 1996, didn't even face a Democrat in the 1998 election.

Cannon was, however, forced into a primary election. This year, Cannon faces another battle with members of his own party. Two Republicans are vying for his seat: Matt Throckmorton and Greg Hawkins.