Renteria in mayor's race

Centro Civico Mexicano director John Renteria confirmed his candidacy for Salt Lake City mayor Thursday, while City Council Chairman Dave Buhler officially began his campaign.

Renteria, a Democrat, said the city needs to promote a more diverse business base and try to be "more inclusive of non-Mormon business interests."

"I feel uniquely qualified to provide the necessary leadership so representative government serves all," Renteria said.

Meanwhile, Buhler, a former Republican state senator who currently works for the commissioner of higher education, kicked off his campaign with events in his east-bench district, in Rose Park and downtown, because he said he's planning "a vigorous, citywide campaign."

Buhler said his campaign will focus on four major issues: stronger city support for education; "ensuring vibrant, safe neighborhoods"; downtown revitalization; and "careful stewardship of tax dollars and the environment."

Although the election is still a year away, Buhler is part of a crowded field — 10 people are running to replace Mayor Rocky Anderson, who will not seek re-election and plans to work for a nonprofit human rights or environmental group after his second term ends next year.

That field will be winnowed to two in a primary in October 2007.

Buhler has picked up the endorsements of two of his fellow council members — Van Turner and Carlton Christensen — and former Gov. Norm Bangerter, among several others.

"He's a class act," said Bangerter, on whose staff Buhler worked in the late 1980s. "He's not an 'I' guy. He's a 'we' guy. He's not a partisan politician."

Buhler is the third Republican in the officially nonpartisan race, joining former City Councilman Keith Christensen, whom Anderson has endorsed, and colorectal surgeon J.P. Hughes.

Democrats in the race include Renteria, City Councilwoman Nancy Saxton, County Councilwoman Jenny Wilson, state House Minority Leader Ralph Becker and former Utah Democratic Party Chairwoman Meghan Holbrook.

Renteria calls himself ideologically "somewhere between a Meghan and a Rocky."

Others in the race are 24-year-old University of Utah journalism student Nick Bryson and Arnold Matthew Jones, neither of whom could be reached for comment this week.

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