In Utah, primary election is key for GOP

In 3 1/2 short weeks Utah will hold its 2006 primary elections.

Our state has one of the shortest primary election campaign seasons in the nation — running from the mid-May state conventions to the June 27 primary.

And I'm sure most Utahns would say that is a good thing — believing that, in general, election campaigns are too long, too expensive and often boring.

But in any state heavily dominated by one party or the other, primary elections in reality are general elections — for whoever wins the nomination in the majority party goes on to win the office in November.

That's often the case here for Republicans.

The biggest primary June 27 is between U.S. Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, and water/land developer John Jacob in the 3rd Congressional District, which covers western Salt Lake County, most of Utah County and several smaller counties to the south.

Jacob, a millionaire several times over, says he may spend upward of $700,000 of his own money through the primary.

Cannon, also a millionaire, while fund-raising more this year than in the past, may still put some of his own money in his race, too.

Radio ads for both men are running, and both say they may buy expensive TV ads just before the primary Election Day.

There is no statewide primary this year — U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch won his nomination in last month's state GOP convention, and Democrat Pete Ashdown likewise was picked in his state convention.

There is no governor's race or other statewide offices up this year.

But there are more than a dozen primaries in various state legislative contests. And there are Republican primaries countywide in Salt Lake, Utah and Davis counties — which make up most of the state's population. So most Utahns will get a chance to vote, if they so choose.

Utah Republicans are once again holding closed primaries. That means you must be a registered Republican in order to pick up a GOP primary ballot at the polls.

However, facing some severe criticism from various citizens, the Republicans will allow independent voters — someone not registered in any political party — to fill out a GOP voter registration form at the polls (thus becoming a Republican) and vote June 27.