ST. GEORGE — Southern Utah Democrats gathered Saturday to celebrate their growing numbers and cheer on local candidates running for office.

"We are encouraged," said Washington County Democratic chairman Cyril Noble before the county convention began at the Dixie Center in St. George. "We have qualified candidates running this year. Not just names on a ballot, but qualified candidates."

Saturday's event featured speeches from local and statewide candidates, as well as campaign booths providing literature from several political action groups. Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon spoke at a well-attended Jefferson/Jackson fund-raising dinner on Friday evening, the first of its kind in Washington County.

Sen. Orrin Hatch's challenger, Pete Ashdown, said the senator's recent comments about a conventional explosion test planned for the Nevada desert show he is out of touch with Utah voters.

"Is there any doubt that if Sen. Hatch weren't running for re-election he would be asleep at the piano on this one?" Ashdown said, which prompted applause and cheers from the audience.

The federal government's plan to detonate 700 tons of ammonium nitrate and fuel oil at the Nevada Test Site is being challenged on several legal fronts. But Ashdown said Hatch, who is now calling for assurances from the government that no radioactive dust will be released from the soil by the blast, is not taking a strong enough stand.

"If they were going to light a firecracker out there, I would tell you it's wrong," said an emotional Ashdown, who had to stop for a moment before continuing. "My dad told me about the day it rained mud in Salt Lake City and my family was affected by the nuclear tests. Never again will this happen under my watch."

Ashdown urged county Democrats to canvass their neighbors, families and friends by using the Internet.

"Canvassing is important; it is essential," he said. "But there's a reason why there's not a Fuller Brush man knocking on your door."

Washington County voters, long a Republican stronghold, have consistently sent Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, back to Washington. There are other, well-qualified, candidates this year that could also win if voters knew their names and their values, Ashdown said.

"This race is winnable. I've seen it in the eyes of the people," he said. "I am so proud to lead this slate of candidates in Utah. I hear the Republicans talk about family values, but I don't hear them talk about business values. That's where you pay good wages, absorb insurance costs and don't destroy employee pensions. It's not putting your needs in front of everyone else's."

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