Corroon picks Republican Sheryl Allen as running mate in Utah gubernatorial race

SALT LAKE CITY — Thirty years ago, when Utahns last elected a Democratic governor, they also voted in a Republican lieutenant governor.

Of course, the friction between Gov. Scott Matheson and Lt. Gov. Dave Monson helped force a change in the state constitution so governors and lieutenant governors no longer run separately.

But that history didn't stop Democratic gubernatorial candidate and Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon from naming a Republican running mate on Monday, the first time a major party has offered a bipartisan ticket in Utah.

Corroon spent the day traveling the state with his pick for lieutenant governor, Rep. Sheryl Allen, R-Bountiful. Allen, a moderate who faced conservative challengers from within the GOP, had already decided not to seek a ninth term in the Legislature.

The pair hugged during their first public appearance together, at a midmorning announcement held outside Washington Elementary School on the city's west side.

Corroon said his chief campaign issues — education, the economy, quality of life and more efficient government — don't belong to any one party.

"They are Utah issues. They are Utah values," he said. "Utah needs independent leaders."

And a Democrat who wants to win a statewide race in Republican-dominated Utah needs independent voters. Observers say Corroon's choice of a candidate outside his party is an effort to win over Utahns who aren't comfortable voting Democratic.

GOP Gov. Gary Herbert is widening his lead over Corroon, a new Deseret News/KSL-TV poll found. But Corroon is much closer to his expected Republican opponent among registered voters who consider themselves independents.

Corroon had the support of 32 percent of those independent voters statewide, compared to 39 percent for Herbert. And among the voters who labeled their political ideology moderate, Corroon bested Herbert 50 percent to 25 percent.

The statewide poll was conducted April 27-28, before Corroon announced his running mate, by Dan Jones & Associates. Pollster Dan Jones said the so-called swing voters need a reason to go to the polls, and being able to vote for a bipartisan ticket could give them just that.

"If the Corroon campaign was trying to bring an element of surprise and excitement, and seize the moment, I think they were successful," said Jones, who does polling for Herbert. "Maybe this is a thing that will really help."