As the race for Salt Lake City mayor heats up, big-name supporters are starting to line up behind candidates.

Recently announced endorsements largely show politicians backing friends of the same party with whom they currently serve in elected office. County Councilwoman Jenny Wilson said Monday that several fellow Democrats at the county — Mayor Peter Corroon, Sheriff Jim Winder and Councilmen Joe Hatch and Randy Horiuchi — back her candidacy.

"I find her to be the perfect kind of fit for the mayor of Salt Lake," Horiuchi said. "I see her as a problem-solver, someone whose views on the issues are really with what I believe to be sort of what Salt Lake needs for the future."

Missing from Wilson's list is Democratic County Councilman Jim Bradley, who said that at this stage of the race, he is not endorsing anyone.

"I think the world of Jenny," he said. "I sit next to her on the council, and I think she'd do a terrific job. But I also have two or three other terrific friends who are in the race."

City Councilman Dave Buhler similarly has support in his bid to be the next mayor from two fellow Republicans on the City Council: Carlton Christensen is a co-chairman of the Buhler campaign, and Van Turner has said he endorses Buhler.

But Buhler also has a Democrat on his side: city Councilwoman Jill Remington Love is a co-chairwoman of his campaign.

Another member of the City Council, Nancy Saxton, a Democrat, is also running. She has not announced any endorsements.

Another candidate whose endorsements reach across the partisan aisle is former city Councilman Keith Christensen, a Republican, who has the support of current Mayor Rocky Anderson, a Democrat. Christensen also has the endorsement of former U.S. Sen. Jake Garn, R-Utah.

Rep. Ralph Becker, D-Salt Lake, likewise has the support of some of his partisan peers: Among his honorary campaign co-chairmen are former Democratic Sen. Karen Hale and current Democratic Sen. Scott McCoy.

Becker's co-chairmen also include City Councilman Soren Simonson.

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