GOP pair may square off in Orem

OREM — The Orem-area Utah Senate seat may become a seed of contention next year, as two high-profile legislators appear headed for a potential showdown.

Sen. Parley Hellewell, R-Orem, has been in the Utah Senate for seven years, and despite a failed try for the governor's seat in 2004, he said he'll be running again next year to represent Orem residents.

"I don't know how long I plan on staying," he said. "I want at least four more years."

Rep. Margaret Dayton, R-Orem, says she will definitely be running for the Legislature next year but is keeping her options open on whether to challenge Hellewell or seek re-election to her House seat.

Dayton has served in the House of Representatives since 1996 and has been heavily involved with No Child Left Behind legislation throughout her tenure.

Although she said she is not ready to make an official announcement about her plans, she thinks Hellewell's attempt at the governor's office during the 2004 election might affect his chances of keeping his Senate seat.

"When Parley Hellewell ran for the governor's office, it seemed to send a message to the voters in this area that he was ready to check out of the Senate," she said.

"I'm quite convinced that should Parley intend to backpedal his way into the Senate, that he will meet with serious resistance."

Dayton recently held her first fund-raiser for the coming campaign, which she said was successful and well-attended by almost 175 lobbyists, legislators and members of the Republican Party. The money she raised will go into a campaign fund to be used by Dayton regardless of where she runs.

Hellewell said he isn't worried about retaining the Senate seat for the next four years.

"I think I will definitely win that race," Hellewell said. "I'm the incumbent. I'm well-respected, I haven't made any real big mistakes, so I feel quite confident."

Hellewell has worked with Dayton before and credits her as being a "very good politician."

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