Last-minute filers join races

Stephenson, president of the tax watchdog group Utah Taxpayers Association, said that the Republican delegates will have a clear choice between philosophical ideologies. He expected that his very conservative district, which includes parts of Salt Lake and Utah counties, would side with him.

"I think the contrast is very definitive, and the voting records will show that Dave Hogue and I are at opposite ends of the spectrum," he said. "I think the voters will make their decisions based on those records, and they come down on the side of conservative principles."

Some other candidates of note also filed for legislative seats. In Salt Lake County, former Democratic Sen. Millie Peterson filed Friday against Sen. Brent Goodfellow, D-West Valley. And in Summit County, former Olympian and first-time candidate Jim Shea will run as a Republican for House District 53, which is being vacated by Rep. Dave Ure, R-Kamas, who is running for the Senate. He faces former House Speaker Mel Brown for the Republican nomination.

There were some close calls for the filing deadline. In Davis County, three Democrats arrived to sign up as candidates in Davis County in the final minutes. They included Rob Miller, vice chairman of the Utah State Democratic Party, Richard Watson, Davis County Democratic chairman and Nelda Angel.

Miller filed to oppose Dannie McConkie, a Republican Davis County commissioner. Watson filed against Rep. Sheryl Allen, R-Bountiful, while Angel filed against Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clearfield.

"I like Dannie McConkie," Miller said about his decision to challenge the longtime commissioner. "But the residents are not being represented."

Three Republicans have also filed to run against McConkie: Lynn Ballard, James Dixon and Bret Millburn.

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Contributing: Bob Bernick Jr., Leigh Dethman, Joe Dougherty

E-mail: jloftin@desnews.com