I think Tilton lost because of the Gibby / Mapleton issue. The DNews continues to try to make vouchers into an issue that it is not.

Tilton is the poster boy for everything that is wrong with Utah politics. Jettisoning him is a wise move by the GoP.

One of the rats is gone, as for the others... Why is Utah's and Utah County's Republican party so corrupt? Oh yes, because absolute power corrupts absolutely.
It's time to start completely over, unfortunately only one of them was kicked out of office.

So we have a June primary election and no one in Utah County gets to vote for their legislative candidate. When the Republican Party got a supermajority, they changed the rules for this very purpose. With superdelegates ensuring incumbents get reelected at convention, giving incumbents party money and insider information, the corruption only increases. Since only Republican candidates have been elected in Utah County for decades, and in many cases run unopposed, the people really have no voice. It is time to vote for someone else in November and make your vote count. We need at least one constitutionally designed check or balance somewhere in this state, to end the corruption of the Republican machine.

I called a friend who lives in Mapleton and keeps their ear to the ground when it comes to politics. He said that almost everything was about the Gibby land zoning issue.

Apparently Gibby owns some land that he wants zoned one way, and lots of people and Mapleton government want it another way. Tilton had stood up for Gibby's right as a property owner and that started the fight.

From what he said, it was not vouchers, nuc power, or conflict of interest. I'm sure some delegates voted for those reasons but the big fight was over zoning issues.

Sadly, that means we have a new state legislator who may value government zoning over individual rights. Does this mean that this new Gibson guy supports Kelso? That is the Supreme Court ruling that allows cities to take individual property via immenent domain, basically steal land, in order to increase property value/taxes.

Hopefully not though he needs to be watched closely.

Again, best of luck to the Tiltons. For me it was the conflict of interest and it is good that he can concentrate solely on getting nuc power into Utah, without the conflicts.

Ahh,ha,ha,ha,ha!
The "D" News, Trib. and every other Lib in the state tried to oust the incumbents in Utah County and with the exception of one FAILED!
The same will happen next week in SLC.
Bramble...YOU DA MAN!
Hannah...YOU GO Girl!
Stan is the King and the Bramharts live to reign another day!
Woo hoo!!!!

Tilton lost because of several issues, but his putting the blame on Nebo School District (and by implication teachers) and his refusal to take responsibility for his own mistakes tells the real story. If Nebo School District were the only problem, what happened in Representative Morely's district?

Before the caucus I was treated to a recorded message from Mr. Tilton letting me know that "Union and Gay Rights activists were going to pack the caucus meetings." I was one of those that "packed the caucus" and I got elected. Last time I checked I wasn't in a union and I am pretty sure I am heterosexual.

Sorry, Mr. Tilton. You lost my vote because of your arrogance and unwillingness to listen to your constituents.

It is too bad we are so blind that we cannot see that all of the stinking politicians should be thrown out. Curt Bramble is a joke! He got away with a lie, as did Mike Morley. Shame on all of you!

The Utah County GOP is almost the mirror image of SL County Democrats. It's back-room deals to choose the party's candidates. Democrats have their litmus tests before they let someone run in SL. Repubs have their own process to decide who gets to represent them. Both stink of machine politics, political favors, and protection of your pals. All the voters in SL should consider voting against machine Democrats; all the voters in Utah County should consider voting against machine Republicans.

My issue was the Gibby deal. Tilton took a local issue and made it a state issue. Even though Gibby is a local issue, Tilton took campaign money from Gibby and then passed his law. That made a local issue a stupid state law. This the perfect storm of local politics. Nothing else. Nebo Schools never really entered into the equation. Just goes to show you how out of touch Aaron Tilton really is with his district.

That is what is so great about this blog line the Deseret News has. We are left kindof guessing about what really happened with Tilton and now we have a couple delegates who add front row information. It is almost better than having a reporter cover the story.

As for the Bramharts living forever, the end does not justify the means. Can I add one more cliche from history? "Those who live by the sword shall die by the sword."

There will come a day in which the Lockharts and Brambles will step out of their little fiefdom and will be crushed. And when that happens, they will have had ballots stuffed against them, rules bent or broken to shut them down, they will be gagged in what they can say. Delegates will improperly be seated to vote against them. In short, they may even have dead people voting against them.

And when that happens I will be just as opposed to the fraudulent elections, only it will serve them right. They reign by these measures, they will die by them. In time.

Tilton hasn't a clue why he was not re-elected, and this is the problem! He can't even see his arrogance and shameless promotion of his personal and business interests. Least of the issues - but unforgettable to me - was when he introduced in the same legislative session two bills dealing with young drivers: One that would have required 16-year-olds to write an essay on the dangers of driving; the other to lower the age for kids to drive. Which way does he want it?

I'm a delegate that voted for Mr. Gibson. I like Aaron Tilton and believe he did many good things for the state while he served. Let's give him credit for the good he has done. I voted for Mr. Gibson because I believe he will do a better job.

Republicans are a boil on the rear end of Utah.

So the Utah County Repubs mustered enough collective IQ to unseat an obvious crook. Orchids to them. Now if they could clear out the rest of the crooked bunch, maybe we could get on with intelligent priorities for this state.

Legislators don't believe they have ethical problems unless they violate their own ethical rules. That's why the legislature never drafts meaningful ethical rules. Mr. Tilton deceived the press about his involvement with the nuclear industry. Later he came clean. That's no greater an ethical lapse than the rest of the Utah County party leadership, or the state legislative party leadership, exhibits constantly , but it's the sort of thing that bugs honest citizens.

Also, legislators have learned that if they bang the I'm-fighting-gays drum loud enough, people will flock to them. But even in Utah County it gets tiresome when that's all a legislator is doing. There is such a thing as competent government, and that requires things like attention to balanced budgets, not just to moral issues.

Mr. Tilton had the first two problems, plus he blew off the PTA and public education in general. However, I suspect his main problem is that his focus in the legislature was passing despicable laws limiting every governmental entity in the entire state from building trails. Most people like trails. Mr. Tilton likes one nutcase in Mapleton who s trails.

I'll vote for whoever commits to overturn Tilton's legislation.

I quote Mr. Bramble: ""I think misrepresentations and negative campaigning were proven to once again be an unsuccessful strategy," Bramble said."

Sir, just exactly where were the misrepresentations? I challenge you to demonstrate even one misrepresention (other than your own, that is).

Also, we disagree on what is negative campaigning! Pointing out that you, sir, are manipulating the party for your own benefit is NOT negative campaigning.

IN THE USA - UTAH has the best managed state government - and that is primarily thanks to the Republicans! Say what you want to say - Utah earned an A- (the only state to receive an "A" grade from an independent and politically neutral group that examined ALL the state governments in the country. If you don't like the so-called "republican dominance" in Utah - move somewhere else! Sheesh...

I am sick of the nastiness of the Brambles. Curt is mean and arrogant. Yesterday, his narrow win added to his "I am God" attitude. Imagine if a better candidate would have run against him and won another 8% f the vote. I would not consider winning by 8% a win, if I were him. If he were so highly regarded as he thinks he is, he would have won by a lot more than he did against the weak candidates he had. The 16% delegates that were automatic delegates made the difference in that race. Those votes were from the likes of Monnahan, three Brambles, three Lockharts, Commissioner White, etc.... They still feel they reign as the GOD's of Utah County. Go Democrats!

Interesting to hear about the Gibby element in Tilton's defeat. The Trib also atTributed Tilton's loss to the conflict of interest with nuclear power...in any case, doesn't seem like vouchers had much to do with anything, much to the chagrin of reporters.

As a lifel-long Republican, I am very disappointed with the Republicans in Utah County. They are arrogant, self-centered, and filled with pride. I'm contacting the Democratic party to see how I can help them. And next time I call you Senator Bramble, treat me with respect and don't talk down to me (until you find out where I live!)You lost at least 2 votes with your condescending attitude.

to:Best Managed State Government

Best managed....only because rampant and flagrant conflict of interest is acceptable and legal in Utah. The crooked politicians need to be thrown out, and those of us who disagree with corruption should not be told to move just because we call a spade a spade.

P.s...the award was for staying within the budget, it was not a report card on corruption and conflicts.

What's not explained is that only two made 70% or more, and one of those was because his opponent dropped out. All the rest were very close to going to primaries, mostly likely because of the voucher issue. Yes, even in Utah County! And they most likely would have lost those primary races if their Republican opponents were good Republicans. Most of us DO want Republicans to represent us, but we DON'T want vouchers! DID YOU HEAR THAT GOP LEADERS? Don't bring it up in the legislature again!

Vouchers are contrary to Republican principles. The taxes we pay for education are NOT a subsidy to kids. They pay for A (as in one) education system that all may use. Making more systems is wasteful. Republicans shouldn't be asking for a subsidy to send their own children to private schools. Sending tax money to a private business ALWAYS ends up in government controlling it. Republicans don't socialize private businesses! Real conservatives DON'T support vouchers!

Too bad a decent challenger to Morley wasn't running in District 66, because Morley and Tilton are two peas in a pod. Both respresent special interests that mainly fill their own pockets with money. Can we say kings of the charter school cash cows?

This mish-mash about issues like 'vouchers' (the 'voucher' issue is DEAD, already - stop trying to use it to influence electeds) and 'nuclear power' and what-not is beside the point.

Representative Tilton lost because he is, plainly and simply, a jerk. Noone likes him.

That's why he lost.

I suppose I am a rather typical citizen and voter. I always try to vote for the best man - then I don't pay much attention to the issues and politics. I don't really care for politics, that's one of the reasons why we have representatives.

I voted for Arron Tilton, mostly in opposition to his competition. Over the years I have written to or called a number of reps about an issue that affected our family. I wrote to Mr. Tilton expecting to get the same kind of brush off that I've always gotten. I found my representative in my office the next day listing seriously and apparently taking action as the problem disappeared.
As for the issue with Dr. Gibby, protection of private property has been a no touch issue since the Constitution was written. There is more than one route for a trail. Comparisons to Mr. Morley - you've got to be kidding. Morley is in the "business" of politics - and has done very well for himself.

I also wish the Tilton's the best. We really needed a man of consience in the government.

Too bad Bramble and Morley weren't disposed of, too.

Last I checked Francis Gibson works for Dr. Wendel Gibby as his administrator for Gibby's Riverwoods Surgery Center.

If people voted Tilton out because they were upset over Dr. Gibby and the Mapleton land issues well they just went from the frying pan to the fire in terms of candidates.

I don't know why Gibson's ties to Gibby didn't come out in the delegate process

Republican County Politics = Arrogance

All of our elected officials need to study up on Pride...it's cause and effect.

I am sickened by our elected officials and of their "I am better than you" attitude. No one OWNS their office. It belongs to the people. The people giveth and the people taketh away.

That is the number one reason Chris Cannon will NOT be re-elected this year. Arrogance. He is so out of touch with our beloved Utah County.

When anyone has an attitude of being a better human being than anyone else - that is wrong.