Josie Valdez elected Utah Democratic Party vice chairwoman

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Democratic Party has elected Josie Valdez as vice chairwoman.

“We are one party. We are one Democratic family,” she said. “We are going to grow this party in ways we’ve never even imagined. I intend to work to unite and grow our party as we move forward into 2013 and beyond.”

Valdez replaces Jim Judd who died in a motorcycle accident in August. A longtime Democratic activist, Valdez is a former candidate for lieutenant governor and the state Senate.