Huntsville selects candidates through convention

One of just a handful of cities that choose mayoral and council candidates by convention, Huntsville has announced its candidates for the Nov. 3 municipal election.

The Our Town Party met Sept. 8 and nominated Chris Stevenson to run for mayor. Planning commissioner Alan Clapperton and Town Councilman Richard Sorenson were selected to run for council.

When Party No. 1 met Sept. 10, it nominated Town Councilman Jim Truett to run for mayor and Doug Allen and Mike Engstrom to run for Town Council.

Mayor James McKay said the parties don't exist for any reason other than to have forums for people to be nominated for the election.

Huntsville residents will note McKay's name is not on this year's ballot.

McKay said that when he completes his fourth term, he will have served 16 years.

He said he plans on "doing some other things" when his service is over in January and plans to send a farewell address to town residents in an upcoming city newsletter.

"We've been able to do some positive things for the community," McKay said.

Fruit Heights in Davis County and Garland in Box Elder County, as well as a handful of other cities, also select municipal candidates by convention rather than by primary election, said David Church, attorney for the Utah League of Cities and Towns.

The number of cities that use the convention process may be shrinking, but cities that do use it can count on saving money because they don't have to run a primary election.

"It's an easy way to recruit candidates," Church said.

Registered voters simply show up at the convention, and by the time it ends, a full slate of candidates has been nominated for the November ballot.

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