Rep. Clark declares candidacy for Provo mayor's seat

PROVO — Rep. Steve Clark, R-Provo, made it official Monday, he's running for mayor.

"It was in December when I found out that Mayor (Lewis K.) Billings may want to run again," he said, disputing the assertion by Utah County Democratic Party Chairman Richard Davis that Clark may have been planning to run for the mayor's post when he was re-elected to the Legislature last November.

Billings plans to make a formal announcement before the end of June if he will run for an unprecedented fifth term, he said through his spokeswoman, Helen Anderson.

Clark has held his House seat since 2001. He has vowed to resign his seat if he is elected mayor, and Republican delegates would fill it.

Davis called for a change in the law requiring a special election to replace elected officials who leave office midterm.

A longtime Provo resident, Clark said he was the first kid to rush inside when Wasatch Elementary, near where he made his announcement at Kiwanis Park, first opened.

"I opened that school," he quipped.

Clark went on to graduate from Wasatch, Central Middle School, Provo High and Brigham Young University — twice.

"This is a great day for Provo," Clark said, reflecting on the transition of power of Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert to governor if Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. is confirmed as ambassador to China. Herbert is also a Utah County native.

Clark announced the theme of his campaign, "It's time," in reference to his belief that it's time Billings stepped aside after four terms and 12 years as Provo's mayor.

He likened it to a relay race, where if the first runner doesn't hand off the baton, "he runs out of gas quickly."

Clark didn't specify whether he believed Billings was "running out of gas" as mayor, but he was pointed in declaring the city needs fresh ideas.

While he may leave his House seat midterm, Clark said he has accomplished all he promised in the last legislative session.

Clark outlined a dozen goals he'd like to accomplish as mayor, which include incentives for companies that build the city's tax base and provide high-paying jobs, working with the state in providing attractive gateways into Provo and establishing a better working relationship with the City Council and Legislature.

Clark said he would also like to build a new recreation center and work with Utah County to build a convention center; he'd like to see better infrastructure to aid in developing west Provo and obtain a private partner to redevelop downtown, among other goals.

Others considering a run for the mayor's seat are Don Allphin, Lakeview North neighborhood chairman and John Curtis, executive vice president of Action Target, who has officially declared his intentions.

Filing for the November election begins July 1 and ends July 15.

E-MAIL: rodger@desnews.com