Legislators join Cabinet

Utah Gov.-elect Jon Huntsman Jr. is dipping into the legislative ranks for at least two of his executive branch appointments.

Two central Utah legislators, Sen. Leonard Blackham, R-Moroni, and Rep. Michael Styler, R-Delta, sent letters to the Utah Republican Party this week announcing their resignations from the Legislature to join Huntsman's Cabinet.

Their specific positions in the Cabinet have not been announced. GOP party leaders say they anticipate Blackham's and Styler's resignations to be effective upon legislative confirmation of their Cabinet appointments at the beginning of the 2005 session.

"This is just one of many exciting changes happening in state government since governor-elect Huntsman and his team began the transition process," GOP state party chairman Joe Cannon said in a prepared statement. "We appreciate the dedicated service rendered by Sen. Blackham and Rep. Styler and look forward to working with them in the executive branch."

Blackham, a turkey farmer, was elected to the House in 1992 and appointed to the Senate that same year. He was elected to the Senate on his own in 1994. Styler, an educator, farmer and House assistant majority whip, was also elected in 1992.

Huntsman was scheduled to meet with legislative leaders in a retreat after Christmas to discuss the many appointments he and his transition team are looking to fill before making them public. The governor-elect technically has more than 650 appointed ("exempt") positions to fill, though most of those will be delegated to lower-level managers. The number of Huntsman's personal staff and directors of the various agencies — the most important appointments — come to about 100 people. The governor-elect has already named some of his top staffers.

The state GOP party will hold a special caucus on Jan. 15 at 9 a.m. at Snow College in Ephraim to fill the vacancies left by Blackham and Styler. Party bylaws require a vote to be taken among state delegates living within the respective districts, each of which comprise more than one county. Candidates interested in the positions must file in writing by 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7. Call 533-9777 for more information.

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