Davis County political races to heat up at convention

KAYSVILLE — Several hotly contested Utah House seats in Davis County will be fought out today in the GOP county convention, with hopefuls trying to replace three well-known incumbents who aren't running again.

Former House Majority Leader Kevin Garn, R-Layton, resigned last month following a personal scandal, and Reps. Sheryl Allen, R-Bountiful, and Doug Aagard, R-Kaysville, are both retiring.

Long-held GOP seats, Districts 15, 16 and 19, are drawing 12 Republicans who want those three jobs.

In addition, Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clearfield, in District 13, is being challenged by two fellow Republicans; one, Terry Spencer, is a former state GOP senator.

If any candidate gets 60 percent of the delegate vote in the convention, held at Davis High School, he or she is the Republican nominee. If no one gets 60 percent, the top two candidates face off in a closed GOP primary in late June.

State law says candidates who stand in party county conventions (because their districts are wholly in that county) should file a campaign financial disclosure statement seven days before the convention.

Spencer is the only GOP candidate who didn't file a statement. But Paul Neuenschwander, chief of staff for Lt. Gov. Greg Bell, says there is no penalty for failing to file the pre-convention disclosure.

The other candidates' statements point to some interesting politics, however.

Like most incumbents, Ray's money is coming from special-interest groups, which often have business before the Legislature.

Most of the other candidates are using their own money, at least up through the convention.

But a few candidates' fundraising shows where their base of support lies, perhaps reflecting their chances in the convention.

Chris Crowder in District 16 (seeking to replace Garn) is the only Republican in that race who raised most of his funds from outside sources. His $1,400 mostly comes from others, although he and family members kicked in some cash as well.

The battle in Allen's District 19 splits out along personal and political lines.

Former Davis County GOP Chairman Ben Horsley clearly is the Republican establishment candidate, his records show.

Of his $6,122, Horsley got $200 from U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah; $150 from Neuenschwander; and donations from other well-known Republicans, inside and outside the county.