I'm one of the undecided. I've gotten mailers everyday from Walker. I keep thinking of the quote "Me thinks thou doest protest too much" every time I get a mailer from Walker saying how great he is and how poor Ellis will be.

Mr Walker is my legislative representative, has been for two terms now. While very sincere, given his rubber stamp voting record on "Education Vouchers" and the waste of public money that is the "Real Salt Lake Stadium" in Sandy, I don't expect serious leadership from him! I would take his endorsements by Herbert and Shurtleff as confirmation that he is one that will simply tow the party line (to the far right). I would hope folks would consider his voting record, along with his lack of education and real world experience to actually do this important job as major decision-making factors. The last thing we need in the treasury is rubber stamp representation. It already dominates in too many important political places in Utah. I am growing increasingly impatient with all the RIGHTeous Republican Club.

Dan Jones is correct. The controversy confuses us and we don't know who to believe.

Walker's counter allegation that he was entrapped, might be a confession that a job offer was made.

On the other hand, it does look as if Ellis went there either seeking a job, or seeking to make Walker SAY he'd give him a job.

Since neither of those two options seem ethical, I guess I'm voting Walker... unless some story gives us more information on all this.

It's too bad we don't have a 3rd choice that isn't mired in controversy. I feel like an Eagle Mountain resident voting for mayor!

It's time for a change and a new man.

I have read many of these comments over the last few days and having been involved with public funds for the last twenty years myself, the last thing this state needs is some upstart who just wants to be in office. Richard has the knowledge of state law concerning public funds and has a good knowledge of the financial markets. No large fund of this size in the private sector would ever HIRE someone with no experience to be in charge of such a large fund. They hire people of experience or mentor a person for the job. He would never be hired in the private sector to run a large fund why in the world would you elect Walker to! In this day and age, this should be an appointed position, not an elected one. Richard is my choice all the way, a person of integrity. Elect someone who will protect your funds and not give into the politics of the day. NO TO WALKER!

To Screen Age:

The charges and countercharges are confusing. However, it is abundantly clear Richard Ellis is qualified for the job. Mark Walker is not. I want the person who best fits the job - that is clearly Ellis.

I happen to be very close to this whole race and no I am not Richard Ellis. I happen to know that Walker did bribe Ellis to get out of the race. While that is interesting information, it should not be the deciding factor in this race.

While I believe Walker to be a great guy and a fine Legislator who helped pass bills for less taxes, I don't think that Legislative experience qualifies him to be State Treasurer. This job takes whatever taxes are collected and invests the funds. Richard Ellis has the experience and education and has the pulse of the financial markets. He is the best qualified for the job. Get out and vote Ellis on Tuesday June 24!

At age 70, I will not live long enough to see the results of the "dynasty" from Tuesday's primary election for State Treasurer and I cannot ethically vote, since I refuse to affiliate with the Republican Party (even though I have been a precinct chair, county delegate, and state delegate).

Voters in Legislative District 45 should remember that their representative had the worst voting record. He won re-election by 18 votes in 2006 (only because a last-minute letter from a mayor in his District saved his campaign.

There are too many problems with his candidacy--did he or didn't he bribe his opponent; can a Legislator run for office for a position for which salaries were adjusted; is he really qualified?

The "good-old-boys" club of Utah have chosen their candidate and they want voters to strengthen their control. Utah would be best served if this position could become an appointed position, then we would at least see a potential change with the change of Governors.

Vote on qualification, not on politics. One is definitely qualified, the other is not (he is obviously talented and maybe in the the 34 years he has left in his career, in this position, he'll learn.

This message is for anyone that is confused. Please know this, I am Very close to this situation and Mark Walker is the one who came to Richard Ellis and offered him a job at a higher rate of pay. Richard did not want the treasuer's office to become a political office and declined the offer. You see if the treasurer office becomes political then all the monies set aside for public education will be allocated to charter schools. This is so much more than just a silly treasurers race. This has to do with the legislature wanting to control all offices in Utah state government.
The only liar here is Mark Walker.

Please, Republicans. It's really a no brainer. Ellis is the investment expert, and he is the only candidate who has the knowledge and skill to do this important state job.

I am close to this race and can tell you what happened.

Ellis used a friend of his named Carl Empi, who works at Zions, to broker a deal between he and Walker. Ellis didn't want to continue in the race because he's apolitical, but he also was worried about his job.

So Empi approach Walker about keeping Ellis and possibly giving a raise.

They all talked about the job but ultimately dropped it. Ellis concluded that what they were doing was illegal. Walker was willing to hire him.

Over two months later, Ellis leaked the story to the Tribune.

The only difference between Walker and Ellis on this issue is that Ellis is more calculating, maybe because he is more experienced.

Ellis should win the election but I understand he left a smoking gun voicemail that will lead to his removal from the ballot for the very thing he tried to get Walker removed for.

And that's funny.

Moral of this story: vote democratic this time.

Both of these guys are guilty of SOMETHING - what, exactly, I don't know. Did Ellis solicit a bribe? Did Walker offer a bribe? Were both guys working towards a 'brokered deal?'

The only reason I'm voting for Walker is because I do believe that Ellis withheld his complaint for over 2 months in an effort to affect absentee and early voting numbers in his favor.

That's just bad gamesmanship. If Mr. Ellis was, as he has said, repeatedly, "forwarding a complaint out of moral integrity" - than why is he waiting until the very last minute to allege misconduct?

Walker has been living off his father's connections for years. I would love to see him be defeated. This story shows you what is wrong with Utah GOP politics as a whole.

I think that Ellis is the better choice. Even if he wasn't bribed, as we know he was, he has far more financial education and more experience. Walker was a Zions bank teller.

It isn't legal for Walker to run for this position. You can take that to the bank.

I guarantee you that I am closer to this situation that either Anonomous (sp), office... or Cindy!! Really!! You just have to believe me! I'm not going to give you my name, or anything else to establish my credibility or corroborate my information, but just trust me, I know the inside scoop...can you keep a secret?

PUULLEEEASE, people!! How silly is this? Don't sit here and blather on about how you know all the sleazy details unless you're going to drop the anonymity cloak (oh yeah, that's right, even then we wouldn't know if you were who you said you were, would we?). What a bunch of cheeseheads!!!

We don't need a lapdog former state legislature in the state treasurers office......How about someone with experience? Vote for Ellis.

I don't know who is a "Cheesehead" or "Airhead." I do worry about those who might be classified as "Airheads" because it implies that persons don't take time to become informed. Some of the prominent founding fathers (I wish that I would have paid more attention in my Political Science classes) recommended that the American masses were not informed enough to vote and wanted to deny them of that right, even beyond those limitations already established.

Vote with your head, not your heart. Don't vote on hearsay evidence -- "I know someone's sister who has a neighbor close to the situation..." I will never understand those who vote straight ticket for any party. Why won't these candidates debate and let the "rational mind" decide. I have been eliminated from Republican mailings and so I don't know what people are receiving and I definitely will not be surprised when I read that a last-minute letter was sent out making strong allegations against one or another candidate which will be too late for the person to counter.

Become informed, don't be led as sheep. I still feel that Mr. Walker will cater to the power-brokers of Utah. Go for Ellis or Democrats.

The people who are undecided better vote for Ellis, or I will have to vote Democrat in the general election. Also, why couldn't Shurtleff, Valentine, et al. find someone to push for this office who actually had some credentials? I'm sorry but poly sci degree holder working as a salesman at RC Willey and then at Zions is not competent to run a $12B fund.

To Screen Age and others

Think about it. If Ellis really tried to entrap Walker, wouldn't this have been Walker's immediate response? wouldn't it have been your immediate response if it had happened to you?

Instead, this is the third different reaction from Walker. Another post pointed out that Walker's first reaction to Ellis's bribery claim was that Walker met and simply wanted to shake hands and have a fair campaign. Walker's second reaction was presumtuous that he met to assure the staff that he wouldn't fire them when elected.

Walker seems to come up with new answers each time he is asked.

I can't wait to hear his latest explanation!

Have you noticed when someone is caught in a lie their story changes.

Walker has come up with no less than three stories for this alleged bribery incident. I met with Ellis because:

1. I wanted to see how committed he was to the race.
2. I wanted to assure him and his staff that they would all have jobs if I were elected - even though most are merit employees and that does not make sense.
3. Mr. Ellis set me up a sting operation with Mr Empey and made me make the illegal bribe, back in March when noone knew I would have the massive republican super team on my side.

How many stories has Ellis come up with? Just 1 - it hasn't changed one bit. I think it should be obvious who is telling the truth here folks. Irregardless, Ellis is the only one qualified for this job. Vote for Ellis.

P.S. Cindy, I think if you really had the inside scoop on the bribery scandal you would know it was Empey not Empi. Sorry not buying your version of the truth!

OK, let's sum up:

1) Ellis is highly qualified. Walker is not qualified.
2) Walker says he will promote tax cuts instead of doing his job and brags he will neglect his legal duties as Treasurer.
3) Walker's support is from black hats like Curtis, Hughes, and Shurtleff that want to shove vouchers down our throats.
4) Ellis is supported by white hats Gov. Olene Walker, Treasurer Ed Alter, and people that know what the Treasurer does.
5) Don't be confused about the bribe. Ellis has witnesses, sworn affidavits, and wants to pursue public disclosure and justice. Walker wants to obstruct and delay justice, has changed his story 3 times, and no one backs his version(s). Walker committed a crime.
6) Even if this was not illegal, a real fiscal conservative would not try to use $60,000 of taxpayer money to buy off his political opponent. He should invest our money, not use it to advance his political career.
7) Walker is disqualified for the office because he voted to raise the pay as a legislator.
8) Walker had accomplices in the legislature and the republican party. The media has not followed up.

Anybody still confused?

To those of you who say you have decided to vote for Walker, even though you may not beleive he is the best candidate for the job, all I can say is good luck. Walker's lack of experience and education alone should make you question why Curtis, Bramble, Lockhart, Dave Clark, Greg Huges, Mark Shurtleff would endorse someone who clearly is unqualified for this position. On the job training doesn't work for someone investing my tax dollars, and all voters in Utah should send a strong message on June 24 and vote for Ellis, who has the gumption to stand up to the good old boys club. Walker has spent thousands on mailers that tell you nothing about his credentials to be the treasurer and thousands more on billboards. Where is the money coming from and who is he going to be indebted to once this is over. Start thinking, my parents always taught me there is no such thing as a free lunch.

I believe everything you said is acurate. I am interested to see the next shoe to drop. Is the AG's office looking into this issue of whether Walker can even run given the pay increase? Did someone request that they do that? Where's that decision?

We probably will be told, maybe in late December when Walker is the new state treasurer, that it was illegal for him to even run.

Vote Ellis!

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