Last-minute filers join races

Two more state senators are officially retiring, one more senator is looking to return to the Legislature, a former Olympian is jumping into politics and a state utility regulator is hoping voters return her to county government.

In the final day of candidate filings Friday, a slew of last-minute candidates clarified some lingering questions, especially in the legislative arena. Most notably, Sen. Tom Hatch, R-Panguitch, announced an hour before the 5 p.m. filing deadline that he planned to retire and endorsed last-minute filer Dennis Stowell as his replacement.

Hatch has served in the Legislature since 1994 and was elected to the Senate in 2002. In 2004 he was former House speaker and gubernatorial candidate Marty Stephens' running mate.

"It's nice to look back and know you made a difference," Hatch said.

Along with Stowell, Democrat Emily Bingham Hollingshead and Constitution Party member Woodward Westfall are running for Hatch's Senate District 28 seat. It is one of the largest districts in the state, covering parts of six counties in southeastern Utah.

Another Friday filing surprise was Leslie Reberg, the current director of the Utah Committee of Consumer Services and whose appointment by Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. was met with sharp criticism, filing for the Salt Lake County Recorder. An appointee in former Salt Lake County Mayor Nancy Workman's administration, Reberg will be running as a Democrat in what now shapes up to be one of the most intriguing county races.

Reberg was unavailable for comment on her decision which could result in her stepping down from her state post soon.

Incumbent Recorder Gary Ott is vulnerable, as the county auditor is currently investigating the Republican recorder for possibly skirting county contracting rules to secure funds to build an off-site data management system.

In the Legislature, Sen. Al Mansell, R-Sandy, and Rep. Joe Murray, R-Ogden, did not file for re-election, while Rep. Dave Hogue, R-Riverton, decided to challenge Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, in District 11. He joins two Democrats, Adam Ford and Becky Boberg, vying for the seat.

Two years ago, Hogue was forced into a primary in part because of a letter sent by Stephenson and Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, which criticized Hogue's "liberal" voting record and accused him of a number of "falsehoods and lies." After filing in Senate District 11 Friday, however, Hogue declined to say the race was a grudge match but said it was instead an attempt to give the district a more mainstream senator.

"Howard has lost touch with our citizens — really lost touch," Hogue said. "That's why I'm running against him."