Interesting political moves by Shurtleff, Wilson

One year away from the big election of 2010 and several interesting political developments this week — Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff is out of the U.S. Senate race, and well-known Democrat Ted Wilson goes to work for GOP Gov. Gary Herbert.

Both announcements surprised me.

Shurtleff, certainly a credible candidate, was a harsh critic of Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah.

And the two had already been going at it in the media.

Shurtleff leaves because of family health issues, and he says he won't be a candidate for any office next year. He'll serve out his term through 2012 — he won't seek a fourth term as attorney general — and beyond that he says he doesn't know what he'll do.

I think he could still be a candidate in 2012 when there will be another U.S. Senate seat up for election. There's also a governor's race then. And there will be four U.S. House contests — Utah will have a new 4th District.

Shurtleff believes he's been mistreated in the local media, with a number of stories running on his fundraising — specifically his acceptance of campaign cash from individuals or groups whose actions have led to investigations in other states and/or charges brought in Utah.

He says he's been careful not to accept donations from groups or individuals his office is looking at.

In any case, good luck to Shurtleff and his family.

And I certainly don't believe we've seen the last of candidate Shurtleff in Utah.

Wilson joining the Herbert administration is an interesting move — for both Wilson and Herbert.

The lifelong Democrat (Wilson served as Salt Lake City mayor from the mid-1970s to mid-1980s and ran for the U.S. Senate and governor) should be considered a coup for Herbert — whose image is helped by appealing to moderates and Democrats.

Wilson told me that taking the $65,000-a-year job as Herbert's environmental/state lands adviser shouldn't be construed as any kind of political endorsement for the Republican governor.

"We talked about that," said Wilson. "I'm still a Democrat. But I will stay out of the races next year — sit quietly on the sidelines."

In other words, Wilson will not endorse Herbert or any Democratic challenger. "I'm good friends with (Salt Lake County Democratic Mayor) Peter Corroon." Wilson's daughter, Jenny, is a Democratic member of the Salt Lake County Council.

"I think Peter may yet still get in the (governor's) race," said Wilson. "I'm going to handle this kind of like how Palmer DePaulis does."