Wimmer said, "I didn't expect to be the most conservative in the House." The former police officer added, "I believe I do represent my constituents, who are by nature conservative, family-values folks."

Interestingly, most-conservative-in-the-House Wimmer is running against Dave Hogue, a former Republican turned Democrat who in 2006 was the second-most moderate House Republican, the newspaper's analysis found then.

Overall, the average combined scores from all four special-interest groups for the entire Legislature was 47.6 — which, in their view, would put the legislature just a bit to the left, liberal side of middle (bear in mind what those groups view as the middle could differ from what other Utahns believe).

Overall, the average score for all Republicans was 56 — to the right of middle, but maybe not as far right as many Utahns might guess (but again the ratings are done by special-interest groups that may have more extreme beliefs than most Utahns).

The average score for Democrats was 24.2 — three-quarters of the way to the left.

Interestingly, two years ago — the last time the Deseret News created a similar index — a sharp line divided the two parties, with no Democrats scoring to the right of any Republicans and no Republicans scoring to the left of any Democrats.

This time, however, a much more mixed middle ground was found, without a sharp line dividing the two parties. Thirteen members found themselves in that somewhat mixed-up middle ground.

For example, Rep. Kory Holdaway, R-Taylorsville, scored a 31.9 for the "bluest" score among the red Republicans. It was far enough to the left that four Democrats managed to have "redder" scores than did Holdaway.

Similarly, Rep. Neil Hendrickson, D-West Valley, scored a 40.6 for the "reddest" score among the blue Democrats. It was far enough to the right that nine Republicans managed to have "bluer" scores than Hendrickson.

Holdaway, said he prides himself on being an independent lawmaker. "I represent my area more than I do any political party," said Holdaway, a special education teacher. "I think sometimes I'm looked upon with a jaundiced eye by some groups because of my politics. I don't march to the same drum as every one else."