Tooele voters like vows of 'full-timers'

TOOELE — The promise of full-time service on the Tooele County Commission seems to have resonated with voters.

Republicans Jerry Hurst and J. Bruce Clegg appeared to be well on their way to victory in their respective commission races Tuesday night, with nearly 80 percent of the voting precincts reporting. Hurst had a significant lead over Democrat Michael R. Johnson, and voters were showing solid support for Clegg over Democrat Kendall R. Thomas. Hurst and Clegg both had promised to make serving on the commission a full-time job.

"The part-timers just weren't able to get the job done," Clegg said.

The commissioners-elect will replace incumbents Matthew Lawrence and Dennis L. Rockwell, both of whom were ousted at the Republican convention in April.

In other county races, Democrat Frank J. Park appeared headed for a second term as sheriff with a solid lead over Republican Anthony Garcia. Wendy J. Shubert, a Democrat, had a slight lead over Republican Steven R. Dana for the job of assessor.

Chief deputy clerk Marilyn K. Gillette, a Republican, had a lead over and Democrat Gary A. Vario to replace longtime clerk Dennis Ewing, who also is retiring.

Recorder Calleen B. Peshell, a Democrat, was headed for re-election against Russell S. Winters, a Republican, and incumbent treasurer Valerie Lee, a Democrat, was holding off a challenge from Sam Woodruff, a Republican.

Incumbent Democratic auditor Michael J. Jensen and Republican surveyor Douglas J. Kinsman were running unopposed, as was Douglas Hogan, who defeated incumbent county attorney Douglas Ahlstrom at the GOP convention.

---

E-mail: jpage@desnews.com