Dixie sheriff avoids primary challenge

ST. GEORGE — Washington County Sheriff Kirk Smith, a Republican seeking his fourth term, won't have to face an intraparty rival this year.

Smith won 63 percent of the votes cast by GOP delegates attending the Washington County Republican Party convention Saturday at Dixie State College.

The three-hour convention moved briskly until it was time to count delegate votes, which took longer than expected, said county chairman Dean Cox.

Smith's nomination by the county GOP delegates means the sheriff is running unopposed in November.

"We were hoping for more than 60 percent," said Smith, who was clearly pleased with the outcome over his challenger, deputy Judy Randall, a 10-year veteran of the sheriff's department.

Randall, who received 159 votes compared to Smith's 276 votes, was making a second run at the county's top law-enforcement job. She first ran for sheriff in 2002 and lost to Smith in the primary.

During her campaign this time, Randall said a sex scandal involving five deputies and former female inmates at the jail was disgusting and should never have happened. All five deputies resigned and are being investigated for possible criminal charges.

Delegates voted overwhelmingly to oust Washington County Treasurer Linda Larsen in favor of David Whitehead, an accountant at Dixie State College. Larsen received 84 votes to Whitehead's 351 votes.

Washington County Clerk/Auditor Cal Robison also won his party's nomination by a wide berth. Challenger Robert Bergren received 87 votes, while Robison tallied 346.

A decision by Washington County Commissioner Jay Ence to retire at the end of his term this year brought five Republican hopefuls to the convention.

Dee Atkin, Mark Boyer and Evan Stevens were eliminated, while Santa Clara Mayor Dennis Drake and attorney Larry Meyers advanced to a primary on June 27.

Meyers, who lost to Ence in the primary four years ago, said he will make illegal immigration a central theme of his campaign.

Rep. Steve Urquhart, R-St. George, arrived at the convention expecting a challenge from fellow Republican Terry Williams, but his opponent did not show up. Urquhart will now face Democrat Don L. Miller in the general election.

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