Skordas to run against Shurtleff

The race for Utah attorney general next year could look like an old home week for Salt Lake County government. The leading contenders are both alumni from top county jobs.

Attorney General Mark Shurtleff says he's decided to seek re-election as the top prosecutor in the state, putting aside speculation he may run for governor.

And former Salt Lake County Attorney Chief Deputy Greg Skordas says, "I'm in the attorney general's race" in challenging Shurtleff.

Shurtleff, a Republican, served two years on the Salt Lake County Commission in the late 1990s.

Skordas, a Democrat, served eight years as current Salt Lake County Attorney Dave Yocom's chief deputy starting in 1986. Skordas left the county prosecutor's office when Yocom was defeated in 1994 (Yocom has since won his old job back) and started a private criminal defense practice. Most recently Skordas defended former Utah Jazz center Olden Polynice on various misdemeanor charges.

Skordas also teaches regular classes for police officers and works in the field of victim rights on the side.

"We're proud of what we've accomplished here in four years and want to finish it up," said Shurtleff, 45. He expected a tough opponent from Democrats, but he says he could even be challenged within his own Republican Party "by some members of the extreme (right) who don't think I'm conservative enough."

Skordas, 45, said he would have run for attorney general four years ago but stepped aside for then-deputy attorney general Reed Richards, a Democrat who was ultimately beaten by Shurtleff.

Skordas said, "I would have run for D.A. (in Salt Lake County) two years ago," but his former boss Dave Yocom was in the race. Skordas said his family has planned a campaign for a top prosecutorial job for several years. "Now's the time," Skordas said.

"I know Greg well. He's a good man, a good attorney," said Shurtleff. Shurtleff said when he was an assistant attorney general years ago, "I got Greg involved as an administrative law judge, and we've taught (legal) classes together. I expect this to be a professional race, above board."

But Skordas says while Shurtleff "is a good administrator, good with public relations — he's always holding press conferences" — the Attorney General's Office needs to focus more closely on helping local prosecutors.