Becker takes early lead Salt Lake mayor's race

State Rep. Ralph Becker took an early lead in the nine-candidate Salt Lake mayor's primary election to succeed Democrat Rocky Anderson.

Becker, Democratic minority leader in the House, had almost 35 percent of the vote with nearly 11 percent of precincts reporting in unofficial returns Tuesday posted on the Salt Lake County clerk of court Web site.

City Councilwoman Jenny Wilson, a Democrat, had just over 27.5 percent while City Councilman Dave Buhler, a Republican, had almost 25 percent.

In fourth place was Republican-turned-Independent Keith Christensen with nearly 11 percent.

Wilson is the daughter of a former mayor, while Buhler is a former state senator making his second run for mayor. He lost in 1991 to Deedee Corradini.

Christensen leads in money raised for the race. He also won the endorsement of Anderson, who decided not to seek a third term.

Surgeon J.P. Hughes had nearly 2 percent of the vote.

None of the other four candidates had received 1 percent of the vote in early returns. They are John Renteria, Rainer Huck, Quinn Cady McDonough and Robert "Lot" Muscheck.

Salt Lake City last elected a Republican mayor in 1971 — Jake Garn — who went on to serve in the U.S. Senate.

The Salt Lake City mayor's race is technically nonpartisan, and the top two vote getters in the primary will run in the general election Nov. 6.