Gov. Herbert to face Pearson, Cooke in November

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Republican Gov. Gary Herbert will face off in November against Constitution Party candidate Kirk Pearson and a Democratic challenger.

Pearson, a homebuilder, beat out challenger Brandon Nay in Tuesday's primary to run for governor as the state's Constitution Party candidate.

Herbert will now face Pearson and Democrat Peter Cooke, who didn't have a primary opponent. Utah has not elected a Democratic governor since Scott Matheson in 1980.

The 34-year-old Nay and 49-year-old Pearson have been friends for years. Both want the state to assert its rights while limiting federal government involvement.

The 62-year-old Cooke is a retired two-star general and veterans' advocate.