S.L. County Council candidates lining up early

Even with an election that's still nearly a year away, candidates have reacted swiftly to incumbents' announcements that will leave open seats on the Salt Lake County Council in 2010.

In the last week, two Democrats, Councilwoman Jenny Wilson and Council Chairman Joe Hatch, have pulled the plug on campaigns to extend their stay after their current terms end. Just three weeks ago, GOP Councilman Jeff Allen, who had announced earlier this year he wouldn't run in 2010, tendered his resignation, citing family issues, and will bow out with a year remaining of his term. Though a replacement will be picked this weekend, Allen's District 5 seat will open without an elected incumbent next year.

Now, two candidates with solid political experience have lined up for Wilson's at-large seat, and another well-known Salt Laker is considering joining the fray.

Democrat Christian Burridge is a former chairman of the Salt Lake County Democratic Party and lost a 2006 challenge against Republican Chris Cannon for his 3rd District congressional seat. Burridge, an attorney with Siegfried & Jensen, said he's committed to the policy direction that has been established by Democratic Mayor Peter Corroon and the council, which currently has a 5-4 Democratic majority.

"I think this is a good opportunity for us to continue the good work the council and Mayor Corroon have done," Burridge said. "There's going to be a lot at stake in this election, and it will be important for Democrats to keep their control."

Republican Winston Wilkinson has already spent some time on the County Council, representing District 5 for two years after the county switched from a three-member commission to a nine-member council in 2000. He also worked for former Gov. Mike Leavitt at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as the civil-rights director. Wilkinson, who is an attorney, said he has unfinished business at the county.

"I'm really concerned about the economic situation in the county and not very happy about taxes being raised," he said. "I definitely disagree with the approach the Democratic majority has taken."

While Burridge and Wilkinson are officially in, Holly Mullen, a former Salt Lake Tribune columnist and the wife of Jenny Wilson's father, former Salt Lake City Mayor Ted Wilson, said Thursday she's seriously considering getting in the race.

"I'm getting really close to making a decision on this," Mullen said. "At the moment, I'm talking to family and friends, and people in the Democratic Party about the idea."

Mullen said she's been closely involved with politics in her three decades of work as a journalist and is ready to take a stance that wasn't an option for her as a reporter.

The fourth, and final, council seat up in 2010 is the District 3 seat currently held by Councilman David Wilde. Wilde said Thursday he hasn't made an absolute final decision, but at this point is intending to run next year.

Candidates are required to officially file for office next March.

e-mail: araymond@desnews.com