Pat Jones named new leader for Senate Democrats

Senate Democrats chose new leaders Friday, voting in Sen. Pat Jones, D-Cottonwood Heights, as the Senate's first-ever female minority leader over Sen. Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake, who had served in leadership since 1999.

The eight Democrats in the state Senate also selected Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake, as minority whip; Sen. Karen Mayne, D-West Valley, as minority assistant whip; and Sen. Luz Robles, D-Salt Lake, as minority caucus manager.

Senate Republicans were scheduled to pick their leaders late Friday afternoon. Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, was being challenged by Sen. Mike Waddoups, R-Taylorsville.

The other hotly contested race among the 21 GOP senators is for majority leader. Senate Majority Leader Curt Bramble, R-Provo, faces opposition from Sen. Sheldon Killpack, R-Syracuse.

"With this whole sea change that we're seeing nationally, I feel like we need a change here, too," Jones said, promising to bring a new style of leadership to the position. "There will be much more collaboration with House Democrats and Senate Republican leadership."

Jones, an owner of the polling firm of Dan Jones & Associates, said she also would work closely with GOP Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. on "moderate policies that reflect the Utah Democrat agenda," including his proposals on education, environmental issues and ethics.

Davis, a state lawmaker for 23 years, had been minority whip under longtime Senate Minority Leader Mike Dmitrich, D-Price. Dmitrich announced he was retiring after four decades in the Legislature.

"Mike in his 40 years really knew the system," Davis said. "He had built a lot of allegiances and alliances. I think he was able to deliver to the Democratic caucus a lot of good. We got a lot of bills passed."

Davis said every vote was close in the election and that Sens. Brent Goodfellow, D-West Valley; Scott McCoy, D-Salt Lake; and newly elected Sen. Karen Morgan, D-Cottonwood Heights, also competed for leadership slots.

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