Wallace said the Utah Education Association was "very active" in her district mass meetings, getting a number of pro-teacher delegates elected. She said that although she is "very supportive of education," they opposed her because of her support of a measure by Rep. Dave Cox, R-Lehi, that would allow patrons to carve up large school districts.

Another incumbent facing a primary in Salt Lake County is Sheriff Aaron Kennard, who is seeking his fifth term. He will face off against Brent Cardall, who brought youthful energy and a fiery — at times, bordering on shrill — speech that was very critical of Kennard.

In the district attorney race, Lohra Miller also brought a bevy of youthful exuberance to the platform and escaped convention without having to face off against veteran county prosecutor Kent Morgan in a primary. She focused her speech heavily on the need to better prosecute driving-under-the-influence violations and to stop making deals that allow deportation with illegal aliens who commit violent crimes.

Miller's comments about illegal aliens, in fact, touched on the other big issue for many candidates: immigration. Many candidates touched on it in their speeches, as did most of the congressional delegation who spoke.

Despite that, immigration did not carry the day for House District 33 candidate Alex Segura, a key organizer of the Utah Minuteman Project. Although he survived one round of balloting in the district caucus, which is held by incumbent Rep. Neal Hendrickson, D-West Valley, he was eliminated by Pete Moesser, who will not face a primary.

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E-mail: bbjr@desnews.com,

jloftin@desnews.com