Incumbents facing GOP contests in Utah County

Democrats aren't the only ones in Utah County disenchanted with the Republican incumbents in the Legislature.

Candidate filing ended Monday, and several Utah County legislative districts have multiple candidates, especially multiple Republican candidates.

Of the 13 district races for the House of Representatives, eight races have more than one Republican, and in the Senate, three of the four races have multiple Republicans.

All of the candidates running think there needs to be change, but several Republican candidates said neighbors and other members of the community asked them to run because they want a positive change in the Legislature and not just the same actions by the same people.

"It was a little over a year ago there was a lot of outcry for a change. ... Everybody has a different complaint," said Jennifer Baptista, a candidate in District 57 who is running against Rep. Craig Frank, R-Pleasant Grove. "They feel they're not being heard, that he's not representing them and they're not happy about his lack of support for the public schools. There's been a lot of discontentment in the area, and it just proves the fact that a lot of people want somebody different."

Frank said he has had positive feedback from his work in the Legislature and thinks he will be successful in this re-election bid.

Public education was raised as a major issue by other candidates.

David Starling, a Republican running in District 62 against incumbent Rep. Chris Herrod, is a longtime public school teacher and believes his experience inside the system would be valuable to the Legislature and the decisions made concerning public schools. He also has a background with business and a degree in economics that he says will benefit budgetary decision-making.

However, Herrod, R-Provo, said he feels he represents the district well and thinks he will win the legislative seat.

Lisa Shepherd, who announced she will run as a Republican in District 61 against Rep. Keith Grover, R-Provo, said she received an overwhelming amount of phone calls from Provo residents to run and give them back their voice, especially through protecting public education. Shepherd said she believes, and residents have told her, that the incumbents no longer do what the people want.

Governmental ethics also came into question when candidates decided to file.

"I got tired of reading all the articles about (Rep.) Mike Morley (supporting a bill) that would benefit his construction company," said Chance Williams, a Republican candidate in District 66 running against the Republican Morley. "I want to see people working for legislation that would sincerely benefit the people."