Was Summit Demo chief's call illegal?

The chairman of the Summit County Democratic Party has been charged with a misdemeanor after offering to pay a state House District 25 Democratic candidate's campaign expenses if he'd step aside.

Rob Weyher has been charged with prohibited elections activity, a Class B misdemeanor, in Salt Lake County Justice Court based on a message left on the answering machine of candidate Josh Ewing's boss, Tom Love of Love Communications.

According to court documents, Weyher said in the voice message that he wanted to talk about Ewing and that "as the chair of the Summit County Democratic Party ... um, I am willing to contribute money to him right now to have him withdraw ... to make him, to try to make him whole for what he's spent so far. ... "

Weyher acknowledged making the telephone call but said he hadn't discussed the deal with anyone but Love, whom he called the "powerbroker" behind Ewing's campaign.

Neither Ewing nor his opponent in the June 27 primary, Chris Johnson, believed the incident would impact their campaigns. Johnson called it an "unfortunate distraction," and Ewing said "voters will pick the best candidate."

Johnson said she was alerted to the incident when she was contacted by a Democratic Party official.

"I didn't know about it," Johnson said. "I know Rob Weyher has been a supporter of my campaign by being an advocate, but he's never even made a monetary contribution, so I'm a little surprised by his enthusiasm ... We certainly don't condone it."

Johnson said she has received no contributions from Weyher. The campaign expense filing deadline is Tuesday.

Weyher said he made the call out of concern for Ewing's health, noting Ewing was on crutches at the convention. He added that he believed Johnson to be the better candidate. He did not talk with either Johnson or Ewing directly, he said.

"I think the Democratic Party should draw a line in the sand and stay on the liberal side of the line," Weyher said. "I don't believe under any circumstance, (Johnson) will ever bend to the right."

Ewing doubted that Weyher had a genuine concern for his health, saying "anybody who knows me, knows if I had to do it on crutches, I would."

Ewing said he didn't believe Johnson was involved. He reported the incident to the Democratic Party. Love sent letters reporting it to both the Salt Lake and Summit County district attorneys. The Salt Lake County attorney filed a charge.