Councilman Randy Horiuchi, a Democrat and former commissioner, said he has immense respect for Dayton. Putting him at the helm was an easy decision, and the support for him was evidenced by the unanimous council vote to appoint him.

"Alan's one of the brightest people I've worked with in my 12 years at the county," Horiuchi said. "He'll do a good job taking over for Nancy, although I don't think he'll stray too far from her principles."

Sen. Carlene Walker, R-Cottonwood Heights, said that she is also confident the county will be fine with Dayton. As co-chair of the Utah Legislature's Political Subdivisions Interim Committee and chairwoman of the Senate Political Subdivision Committee, she has worked with Dayton on many of the issues that Salt Lake County presents to legislators.

"He's very good to work with, and I think that the county will be in good hands until a new mayor takes over," Walker said. "He'll keep a steady course. He's very capable."

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E-mail: jloftin@desnews.com