Sandstrom announces bid for Utah's new congressional district seat

OREM — State Rep. Stephen Sandstrom announced Monday a bid for Utah's new 4th Congressional District seat where will take on fellow Republican and legislative colleague Rep. Carl Wimmer, R-Herriman.

Sandstrom, of Orem, said he went through a "very methodical" process before deciding between the 2nd and 4th districts. He currently lives in the 3rd District but did not want to challenge Republican Congressman Jason Chaffetz.

"The 4th was the best fit for me," he said.

The Utah Legislature recently redrew congressional district boundaries, adding a fourth district per the 2010 census. The 4th District includes heavily populated southwestern Salt Lake and western Utah counties and more rural Sanpete and Juab counties. It is the smallest district geographically.

Sandstrom, who lives about 15 blocks outside the boundary, said he intends to move to northwestern Utah County. "I want to make sure I live in the district I represent," he said.

Wimmer said Monday he was surprised to see Sandstrom enter the 4th District race and that he didn't even receive a phone call from him.

"He told me a couple of weeks ago at the Capitol that he was not running in the 4th," said Wimmer, who kicked off his campaign last month.

Early on, Sandstrom said, he anticipated running in the 3rd District because it was expected that Chaffetz would challenge Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah. "He flat out told me he was running for the Senate," Sandstrom said of Chaffetz.

When Chaffetz decided to run for re-election, Sandstrom starting looking for another district, and now finds himself vying for the same office as another prominent Utah House Republican.

"Unfortunately, it worked out that way," Sandstrom said. "Carl's a friend of mine. He's a good guy. People should consider him, but I want them to consider me, too."

Saratoga Springs Mayor Mia Love also is expected to jump into the 4th District fray.

"This is going to be an election cycle for the ages," said Utah GOP Chairman Thomas Wright. "There's some interesting dynamics with those three candidates."

Intraparty battles sometimes lead to bad feelings, but Wright said he believes the candidates understand it's not personal but about getting the best nominee. He said it's hard to say whether one candidate will emerge from the state Republican Party convention next April or whether there will be a primary.