From Deseret News archives:
GOP selects Huntsman, Karras
Cannon is forced into primary battle in the 3rd District
And the closeness of the race 51 percent of the 3,500 delegates voted for Huntsman to Karras' 49 percent was a surprise too.
But the day also was full of sadness.
Gov. Olene Walker was knocked out of contention. Utah's first female governor is the first sitting chief executive to lose an election bid in 48 years.
"It's some relief to be going back to just being the governor," said Walker. "I would not have done anything different. I am just delighted I have a few more months to be governor."
And Merit Medical CEO Fred Lampropoulos spent more than $2 million of his own cash only to lose. Lampropoulos' fall was quick. He was considered nearly a shoo-in only days ago. As late as Friday, Lampropoulos was running radio advertisements saying "I'll see you in the primary."
It wasn't to be.
"I don't feel bad," said Lampropoulos, who finished third. "I'm going home and finish the back yard at our new house and have a swimming party. I am fine, and it was fun."
Another shocker was four-term Rep. Chris Cannon, forced into a primary with former Utah House member Matt Throckmorton in the 3rd Congressional District.
Not unexpected were the 2nd District results: Another match-up maybe as bitter as before between John Swallow and Tim Bridgewater for the chance to challenge incumbent Democratic Rep. Jim Matheson.
The convention marked the end of political comeback hopes at least for now for several other former elected officials. Former Utah House GOP heavyweights Mel Brown and Byron Harward both failed in their bids to return to the Legislature.
Former U.S. Rep. Jim Hansen, who retired after 22 years in Congress only to resurface as a GOP contender in the governor's race, finished sixth out of the eight gubernatorial candidates the first political race he's ever lost. He told delegates during the campaign that if he lost he would not run again.
And Utahns won't have current House Speaker Marty Stephens anymore. Stephens, who many considered a gubernatorial front-runner last summer, stumbled too, finishing fifth.















