From Deseret News archives:
Incumbents facing GOP contests in Utah County
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."
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."
Recent comments
My children go to Charter Schools and I thank Mike Morley for what he...
Sharon | April 25, 2008 at 6:20 p.m.
I think that Mike Morley is the best candiate for the position....
Wanda | April 24, 2008 at 4:19 a.m.
I agree that there has been alot of negative attention on Morley. I...
Lauren | April 24, 2008 at 4:11 a.m.
- Searchers find body of missing girl 12:46 p.m.
- Man sentenced in child beating 12:44 p.m.
- Climate deal possible 12:40 p.m.
- 5 men accused of poaching deer 12:36 p.m.
- Feds: Co. conspired to defraud U.S. 12:32 p.m.
- Group: Invest in electric cars 12:28 p.m.
- Gas prices remain near 2009 high 12:24 p.m.
- AL, NL rookies of the year 12:21 p.m.
- UNLV coach fired after 5 seasons 12:12 p.m.
- Adams apologizes to Bills fans 12:08 p.m.
- MWC expand? Get rid of deadweight
- Apostle's wife felt comfort in attack
- Relieved Cougs prep for Falcons
- TCU stays 4th in AP; Y. 19th, U. 23rd
- Wounded Utes limp home
- Jazz rookies had to grow up quickly
- Win in New Mexico good for Y?
- Bennett at center of GOP storm
- BYU happy to escape with victory
- Big games keep UHSAA coffers full
- TCU creams U.
233 - BYU happy to escape with victory
232 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
208 - Will state consider gay rights law?
155 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
131 - RSL heads to MLS title game
130 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - TCU stays 4th in AP; Y. 19th, U. 23rd
106 - Celtics crush Jazz
104 - 5A: Bingham rolls to title game
92
American Express says it's not going to be a closed-wallet holiday for...
How do you handle kids and contests? Our oldest daughter, 7, is of the...
I'm old enough to remember when the "conservative Southern Democrat Senators"...
I appreciate your coverage of rsl all season long. Thanks Rock, Donaldson,...
...........the Brew does not seem to have the same flavor....... after...
I'm glad basketball is at the Dee events center. The ecenter is terrible....
Yeah, to listen to some of these posts you'd think the Founding Fathers would...
To all of you who say "throw the bums out," I say, that you're the kind of...
that China owns a good chunk of America.
Thanks for believing the Founding Fathers were extremeists, and then lay...
Give them a break, its just Capitalism at its best.
The fact that people get so defensive about it just feeds the haters. let it...
