Former legislators seek return to the Hill

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah's 104 part-time lawmakers like to complain about the long hours, the low pay and the sometimes severe criticism by the public and media.

If the Legislature is so rough, why are at least eight former lawmakers trying to get back to Capitol Hill in the 2010 elections?

"I have a new perspective, and I believe I can contribute," said former House Democratic leader and senator Patrice Arent, who seeks the Salt Lake County east-side district seat of Rep. Phil Riesen, D-East Millcreek, who is retiring.

A review by the Deseret News of the 266 candidates who filed for state House and Senate seats this year shows several interesting attempted comebacks, a handful of heated campaign rematches and a few registered lobbyists who want to get on the other side of the chamber doors.

Both in Utah and nationally, 2010 already is marked as an election year of discontent.

Longtime U.S. Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, has several credible GOP challengers.

More than 20 Republican state lawmakers, even a handful of Democratic incumbents, have challengers from within their own party.

Several moderate House Republicans have two GOP challengers — who no doubt are unhappy with the incumbents' voting records.

As usual, open seats that are safe wins for either major party bring a lot of candidates. Five Republicans filed for the seat of former House Majority Leader Kevin Garn, R-Layton, who has resigned. And four Democrats seek the seat of retiring Rep. Chris Johnson, D-Salt Lake.

Surprisingly enough, two of the most conservative and outspoken House Republicans — Reps. Carl Wimmer, R-Herriman, and Mike Noel, R-Kanab — have no Democratic challengers. Noel has no opponent at all, and Wimmer likely will cruise to re-election, opposed by a Libertarian and an unaffiliated candidate. No minor party or independent candidates have won a Utah legislative seat in more than 75 years.

A complete list of all statewide, legislative and state school board candidates can be found at the Utah Elections Office Web site, elections.utah.gov/2010Candidates.htm.

The former lawmakers seeking to come back into office range from a few who left only a couple of years ago to Craig Call, who served in the mid-1980s.