Utah stays course

Across the nation Tuesday, Americans were voting for change, a new wave of "throw the bums out" seen every decade or so in modern U.S. politics.

But not here.

In Utah, despite congressional candidates spending upward of $8 million campaigning, nothing changed — incumbent federal lawmakers won in relatively easy contests.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, gets six more years — a combined 36 years, setting a new record of longevity for Utah after he's sworn in come January.

Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, won his largest victory ever; unofficial results showing him winning 59-37 percent.

And Reps. Rob Bishop in the 1st District and Chris Cannon in the 3rd District, both R-Utah, coasted to victories. With the loss of the U.S. House to Democrats, all three men's positions and power will change.

While there was a definite Democratic wave across the nation, Matheson said: "I don't think that wave hit Utah." His margin of victory was his largest ever, but Matheson says that was more "because I've been in office in my new district four years, and people have gotten to know me."

Republicans keep control of the Utah Legislature, tallying 30 years of GOP control of both state houses. GOP state leaders had high hopes of knocking off several Democratic state senators and winning a couple of Salt Lake County east-bench open seats held by retiring Democratic senators, but at press time Democrats were leading in all those races.

Likewise, Democrats were holding their own in a number of races targeted by Republicans. And House Speaker Greg Curtis, R-Sandy, was in the fight of his 12-year career for his seat with Democrat Jay Seegmiller in District 49 — Curtis winning by just 46 votes, final but unofficial results show. Seegmiller says he'll ask for a recount.

As expected, Utah County was swept by GOP candidates for the Utah House and Senate.

Utah Democrats, however, did have one bright spot Election Day: Salt Lake County.

At-Large County Councilman Jim Bradley, a Democrat, wins another term. Democratic Clerk Sherrie Swensen was victorious. County auditor could go to Democrat Jeff Hatch, although that race was still too close to call early Wednesday.

And Democrats pick up a county officer with the defeat of GOP Sheriff Aaron Kennard by Democrat Jim Winder— a race that turned ugly Sunday when Salt Lake County Republican Party chairman James Evans passed out an edited-down eight-minute disc of a six-hour cop training session where Winder swore and made fun of several fellow law officer departments. Kennard worried Monday that the disc could bring voter backfire; it certainly didn't help him.