Wimmer quits Legislature to raise money for congressional race

HERRIMAN — Rep. Carl Wimmer, R-Herriman, announced Wednesday that he will resign from the Utah Legislature to focus on raising money for his run for Utah's new 4th Congressional District. 

Wimmer hopes to become the Republican nominee to face Congressman Jim Matheson for the seat in November.

His announcement came a few days after his campaign office was burglarized. Someone kicked in all the office's doors, rummaged through all the desks and paperwork, and made a mess of the place, only to take $13 and a campaign worker's candy bar, he said. 

Wimmer chose to resign because a Utah law prohibits a state legislator from fundraising for office during the legislative session, which begins Jan. 23. He said that as a "blue-collar, middle-class" person, he cannot afford to forgo fundraising for two months and still expect to beat Matheson.

"I am treading new ground here, showing that the middle class of America can still run for Congress," he said.

Wimmer said he's raised $200,000 as of the end of 2011, but wants to raise $300,000 to $400,000 by the state Republican convention.

Wimmer said his resignation will be effective Monday, but he plans to spend several days helping his replacement learn the ropes.  

"It was one of the toughest decisions my wife and I have had to make," Wimmer said Wednesday morning. Most of his constituents he's talked to have encouraged him to resign if that's what it takes to win the congressional seat, he said. 

The deciding factor for him was those constituents.

"They deserve a fully engaged representative," Wimmer said. "I believe that to my very core, in my heart."

The national government is at an important time, he added. "We are mortgaging our children's future for our selfish desires."

Wimmer said he supports Herriman Mayor Josh Mills, who has expressed interest in the seat, to replace him. The decision will fall to Republican Party delegates of District 52, which covers Herriman and Riverton and a small part of South Jordan.

Dan McCay, a real estate attorney and statewide director of the tea party organization FreedomWorks, said he will also seek the post.

The Riverton resident said he has been meeting with delegates and openly running for Wimmer's legislative seat for about a month, as Wimmer's resignation seemed imminent.

"The writing was on the wall," McCay said.