From Deseret News archives:

2 seek to lead Demos

Published: Tuesday, March 1, 2005 1:43 p.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
Former Utah Attorney General Paul Van Dam and Democratic Progressive Caucus leader Craig Axford are the first Utah Democrats to announce their bid for party chairman.

Current party chair Donald Dunn announced last month that he will not run for re-election.

Van Dam, as his press release states, is "the only living Democrat to win a statewide election against a Republican incumbent," having won the attorney general office in 1988. Prior to that he served as Salt Lake County district attorney and last year ran unsuccessfully for Bob Bennett's U.S. Senate seat.

Axford, a former member of Utah's Green Party, has been both a Democrat and co-chairman of the Utah Democratic Progressive Caucus since 2003.

"I believe the Democratic Party is at a crossroads," says Axford. "If we are to begin moving toward a new Democratic majority in Utah, we need leadership willing to stand up for Democratic values such as fiscal responsibility, a living wage for every working man and woman in Utah, and universal health care coverage."

The party, he says, "too often circles the wagons and shoots inward." Democrats are often seen attacking each other in the press "over issues that frankly don't matter much to the average voter," he says.

Story continues below
Van Dam says Utah Democrats need a leader "who has the experience and vision needed to build bridges within our own party and ensure a bright future by serving as a clear voice of reason and moderation."

The filing period for party chairman begins today and runs through March 31. Democratic delegates will choose their new leader at the state party convention May 7.

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

previousnext

Latest comments

I don't know what's funnier - that there are people that believe the Bauman...

Expect epic clash on the line

Cougarf@n | 12:52 p.m. Nov. 24, 2009 The BCS money BYU has received doesn't...

@Hmm: Wake up from that dream you're in! By the way, you call Obama a...

Great job Cooper, Tyson, and Austin from Rich. You guys are awesome!

Letters: Trump card for believers

I'm still waiting: Education? College, University Degree? And Field...

BYU would like friendlier rivalry

We all need to remember that it is just a game and the winner gets bragging...

To the misguided Anon: Sounds like you're still angry about your embarrassing...

Letters: Sportsmanship lacking

of sportsmanship. Not all wrestlers and their coaches are perfect but...

Diabetic boy's parents fight school

I am a school Principal. This is ridiculous - the student is their "client"...

@Mike Richaqrds There is ABSOLUTELY NO RIGHT provided to religions to put...

Advertisements