5 candidates set sights on Utah Republican Party chairmanship

Five candidates are vying to take over the chairmanship of the Utah Republican Party from lobbyist Stan Lockhart, who is not seeking re-election.

Dave Hansen, a consultant for Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Steve Harmsen, a former Salt Lake County Council member, have both been campaigning for the party's top spot for some time.

So had former congressional candidate Tim Bridgewater, who said this week he was pulling out of the chairmanship race to pursue a run against Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah.

After Thursday's deadline for filing for party posts, three new names are in the race: Brian Jenkins, Jared Law and Mike Ridgway. Ridgway is the best known of the three, as a vocal critic of the GOP establishment.

The party's current vice chairman, Todd Weiler, is seeking another term. He is being challenged by Carlene Walker, a former state senator, as well as Morgan Philpot and Don Larsen.

The Utah GOP secretary, Patty Johnson, withdrew her candidacy. Christy Achziger and Nick Shultz are seeking that post.

Incumbent party treasurer Mike McCauley will face Steven Sharp.

The races will be decided at the party's annual convention June 13 in Layton.

— Lisa Riley Roche