One of the Democrats' finds is former GOP House member Dave Hogue of Riverton, who filed for his old House District 52 but this year as a Democrat.

"After 47 years as a Republican, I had to switch," said Hogue, who served as a moderate Republican who had any number fights with GOP leaders. Hogue seeks the seat now held by freshman Rep. Carl Wimmer, R-Herriman.

Finally, Rep. Carl Duckworth, D-Magna, is fighting a serious form of cancer. He was being challenged by several Democrats and Republicans. And Monday evening Duckworth's wife, Susan, also filed for the seat, saying that if Carl couldn't physically run, she would, making sure there is a Duckworth on the ballot.

A count by the Deseret Morning News shows that only one GOP state senator — Sen. President John Valentine, R-Orem — has no Democratic opponent. All other state Senate races this year will have at least one Republican and one Democrat — with several GOP incumbents, including Senate Majority Leader Curt Bramble, R-Provo, being challenged by Republicans and Democrats alike.

Utah County Democrats did a fine job of recruiting, with all other Senate races and most House races in the county having Democratic opponents.

A number of moderate Republicans, who voted against vouchers last year, do not have Democratic challengers. While most GOP lawmakers who did vote for vouchers have Democratic opponents.

Across the state, Democrats didn't file candidates in half a dozen state House races. Republicans found candidates in all state Senate races and all 75 House seats except the Salt Lake district of Rep. Jackie Biskupski, D-Salt Lake.

In 2006 Democrats left 19 House races unfilled — only a handful this year. "We didn't have to beg to get candidates," said Holland, "and many GOP-leaning Utahns are looking at us. It's exciting."

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Contributing: Leigh Dethman, Lisa Riley Roche, Tiffany Erickson

E-mail: bbjr@desnews.com