Bramble drops out of Senate leadership race

SALT LAKE CITY — Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo, said Tuesday that he's dropping out of the race to fill the Senate majority leader slot vacated by former Sen. Sheldon Killpack.

Killpack resigned from the Legislature last Saturday, the day after he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. He had replaced Bramble in the No. 2 Senate GOP leadership position last year.

"In the wake of the Killpack situation, this is not the time for a hotly contested leadership race," Bramble said. "This is a time to move beyond (it), to close ranks, to get ready for the session."

Bramble's decision not to seek the leadership post means that Senate Majority Whip Scott Jenkins, R-Plain City, is the likely successor to Killpack. Senate Republicans are scheduled to meet in a closed caucus Wednesday morning to choose a new majority leader.

Meanwhile, another candidate to fill Killpack's District 21 Senate seat has emerged. Jory R. Francis, the owner of a personal-care company, announced Tuesday that he is running. Republican delegates in the district are set to vote Saturday.