Hanging tough: Workman vows to carry on in doomed campaign

Just when you thought this year's race for Salt Lake County mayor couldn't get more weird, it got more weird.

In the face of bottom-dwelling polls, a competing Republican candidate, overwhelming opposition from Democrats and withdrawal of support from fellow Republicans and county officials, Mayor Nancy Workman announced Tuesday that she will carry on in her — by her own tacit admission — doomed campaign.

"I recognize that many will question my decision from a political standpoint," Workman said in a statement. "My decision is not about politics, polls, opinions or even final vote counts. My decision is about my reputation and the good name of my family."

"It just keeps getting more interesting," observed Democratic candidate Peter Corroon.

Tuesday morning, 64-year-old Ellis Ivory, founder of the largest residential construction firm in Utah, announced himself as a Republican write-in Salt Lake County mayoral candidate. In the afternoon, Republican members of the Salt Lake County Council threw their support behind him. A restive Republican Central Committee did the same in a raucous meeting Tuesday night, at the same time withdrawing all support from Workman.

Workman did not attend the meeting.

"I realize that I may continue on the ballot without the backing of my party," Workman said in her statement. "That is fine, and I bear the GOP no ill will."

Workman has pulled previously reserved television advertisement time and acknowledged in her statement that she will not conduct a normal campaign.

"We will continue our campaign as my legal fight — which will require much of my focus — allows," she said.

Workman also did not attend a Tuesday mayoral debate at the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah that both Corroon and independent candidate Merrill Cook attended.

Write-in candidate

With the central committee's endorsement now in his pocket (though he said he would run with or without it), Ivory said he will overcome the almost astronomical odds against a write-in candidate through recruiting 10,000 volunteers and accepting no salary and no campaign contributions.

"I will win," he said.

In announcing his write-in candidacy, Ivory said he has nothing against Workman, calling her "an honorable person."

"I'm actually the honorary co-chairman — along with (Utah Jazz owner) Larry Miller — of her campaign. I'm getting in this because she can't win. And I can do a better job than the other two guys."

Workman was bound over for trial on two felony counts Monday.