2 House members, senator fall

A GOP state senator and two House members have been sent packing, and another representative appeared to have failed in his bid for the Senate, according to unofficial primary election results available at press time this morning.

Rep. Jim Ferrin, R-Orem, lost his seat to challenger Stephen Sandstrom in a close race. Sandstrom earned 51 percent of the votes, or 1,887 ballots cast, to earn the Republican nomination for District 58. Ferrin garnered 49 percent, 1,788 ballots cast, with 100 percent of precincts reporting.

"I don't think it's going to be real productive for me . . . to start micro-analyzing this about what caused what. He did a better job of getting his voters out than I did," Ferrin said. "I feel like I accomlished some pretty important things in the Legislature, and I would have liked to have done some more. But I guess I get to get on with my life in other ways now."

Sandstrom could not be immediately reached for comment.

The race often focused more on personal issues than political agendas. The winner will join Constitution Party Candidate Edward McGarr on the general election ballot.

In Senate District 18, Sen. David Thomas, R-South Weber, lost his seat to GOP challenger Jon Greiner, according to unofficial results. Greiner garnered 54 percent of the vote, or 1,675 ballots cast; Thomas earned 46 percent of the vote, or 1,435 ballots.

"I think that our message was pretty clear, that there was excess money in the Legislature this year and how it was spent wasn't very prudent," including lack of funding for emergency dental care for the poor and disabled, law enforcement strike forces and other matters, Greiner said. "Let's take care of our needs first."

Thomas said he was disappointed with the results but believes he will remain involved in politics.

"I tried to have a very positive campaign . . . I'm proud of that, I'm proud of what I've accomplished in the Senate, and that's just the way it goes," Thomas said. "We'll see what comes up . . . I probably will continue to be involved."

Rep. Dave Ure, R-Kamas, appeared to have lost his attempt at the District 26 Senate seat to Kevin Kevin Van Tassell, a Vernal Zions Bank branch manager. Van Tassell led with 54 percent of the vote, or 3,030 ballots cast, to Ure's 46 percent, or 2,601 of ballots cast, with 84 percent of precincts reporting.