GOP lawmaker to run against Gov. Herbert

SALT LAKE CITY — Rep. Ken Sumsion, who co-chaired the Legislature's Redistricting Committee, said Thursday he'll run against fellow Republican Gov. Gary Herbert.

"I'm going to take up this baton," Sumsion, a certified public accountant from American Fork who has served as a state representative since 2007, told the Deseret News.

"I can work with the Legislature. I can work with the citizens of the state. I feel it's our time. It's our time as a state," he said. "We can step out and lead."

One of the founders of the Legislature's conservative Patrick Henry caucus, Sumsion said his campaign will focus on the need for reforming public school funding by giving more spending control to local districts.

"Our education budget is huge and complicated and very, very few people understand all the moving parts," he said. "We're only going to become world class from the bottom up and not from the top down. I think I can be a leader in that discussion."

Part of that agenda is an increased effort to gain access to the state's federally controlled public lands, Sumsion said. "In the role of governor, I will push that issue, and do that by working with other states."

But Sumsion was careful not to directly criticize Herbert. Asked why he was running against another Republican, Sumsion said, "I like to think of it as more I am running for governor."

He said he was urged to stay in politics after telling supporters he would not run for another term in the Legislature. "Two weeks ago, I was basically retired," Sumsion joked. "I was looking forward to getting back and being with my family."

Since spring, Sumsion has been busy with redistricting, a process not completed until last month. Every 10 years, lawmakers must redraw congressional, legislative and state school board boundaries to reflect the most recent census.

This year's congressional map, which included the state's new 4th District seat, was harshly criticized by Democrats and others. The state Democratic Party has threatened to sue, saying the re-drawn districts disenfranchise Democratic voters.

Sumsion, though, said he is proud of the work done, especially on the new map for state representatives. "We made the tough decisions, working with my own colleagues, my own friends," he said. "We did that under very difficult circumstances."