Reader comments
Tough Pittsburgh kid Hughes still standing in the Utah ring

The best conservative legislator in Utah.

Hughes is the real deal -- a great guy. We need more people like him willing to give public service and take on the tough issues.

It is a pretty shameless strategy some democrats, dishonest media clowns, anti-voucher advocates,and RINOs have taken to by trumping up ethics charges against Hughes that were dismissed, (many of which were not on party lines) yet they still want to define him by the allegations. I followed Greg Hughes this year in the legislative sessions and I see why his enemies would need to stoop to such an embarrassing low level to taint his integrity. I hope the people of Utah will put themselves in a position to judge for themselves.

a pretty good guy.

Those ethics complaints had validity. It was determined they weren't sufficient to remove him from office and he barely won re-election.

He can do less damage being second in command of the state since nobody ever heard of that other guy who will be Governor once Huntsman goes to be an ambassador. Let's face it, Hughes isn't going to have an easy run at re-election so he has to do something to keep his career going.

It is good to see a columnist like Bob Bernick Jr. break away from the dirty political mudslinging/ intellectually lazy articles written by hacks that are punch drunk under the influence of David Irvine (let's not forget that David Irvine is the UEA attorney who tried to make a connection between Bush torture policies and the LDS Church because several federal employees and attorneys were members of the LDS Church).

"Those ethics complaints had validity. It was determined they weren't sufficient to remove him from office and he barely won re-election."

Those ethics complaints were utter baloney. He "barely" won re-election because the ethics thing was all over the press. I sat there with Greg, family, and friends on election night, watching the returns come in. And guess what? He won off of election day votes, because the early voters bought the baloney sold by Irvine. Greg will trounce any person who challenges him in 2010, and I'll be there to make sure of that.

If Gary Herbert selects Greg Hughes as his Lieutenant, Herbert will not have my vote in 2010.

Hughes is already the most vulnerable incumbent in the House for the 2010 election cycle. Count on him to either spend at least $100K trying to get reelected or running for something else. The R's and the D's both know this.

Everything I have read about this guy I like. He makes mistakes, admits them and moves on. He is what he is.

May be a kindred spirit, I too had to explain a black eye to my mission president and lived as a token white in a native town. Learned to fight and to be tolerant.

Did you not see what just happened? He had the perfect storm come against him, and he rode it out. Democrats would be foolish to think they have ANY shot at unseeding him. They couldn't do it with the most coordinated, slimey scheme in Utah politics in 2008. They'd be wise to keep away from Greg. He'll bury the competition under an electoral landslide.

Listen to Hughes on his "Red Meat Radio" program. He is about as intolerant as they come. He is the biggest whining baby in the legislature.

just what utah is about..."more butters" for the brothers!!!

Why do you say all this yet still listen to the radio show? If you don't like him then don't listen. The ethics hearing was very thorough. Witness after witness was brought in - and guess what, he was cleared of all charges. At what point do people give this guy the benefit of having gone through this and been proven to be innocent by members of both parties?

We need more Republicans willing to fight, not more passive-aggressiveness like we see from most legislators like Greg Bell who stand for nothing but offend no one. Speak truth to power and take a black eye now and again fighting for what you believe in. That's the kind of Republican I want to see Herbert pick to help run the state.

The ethics committee unanimously said that Hughes was guilty of conduct unbecoming that of a legislator. The bribery charge (the one that could have sent him to prison) was deadlocked 4-4 straight down party lines. He never apologized to the state of Utah for his disgusting behavior. Instead, his lobbyist buddies hold a party for him to raise money to pay for his attorney's bill.

I would like to think that we could admire someone who grew up with nothing and went on to live the American dream. That he would subject he and his family to the scrutiny and criticism of those who grew up privileged and who look down upon those who succeed go on provide public service is a testament to his deep feelings about his community and country. Furthermore, while he is not personally claiming to be a role model, I have personally witnessed his inspirational interaction with young people who will be needed as future leaders and share that experience of not being afraid of or intimidated by public service. If you have the opportunity to sit down with him for a few minutes instead of taking for granted what you "hear", you would be inspired as well. I a 66 years old and I like the kid. Future Governor Herbert and the State of Utah would be well served by Lt. Governor Hughes.

I too had heard some of the mudslinging about Rep. Hughes last year, and decided to get to the bottom of it. I sat down with him for four hours and asked every question conceivable. I walked away with a renewed respect for him, and he got my vote. I've also seen him doing behind the scenes service for the youth, making time for them, teaching them, talking to them. He doesn't brag about all of the good things he's doing, and I like that he's willing to take a stand for what he believes in. At least you know where he stands on the issues, unlike some of the passive-aggressive legislators.

Greg Hughes is a good friend, a good man, a good husband, a good father, and a great politician. Willing to fight what he believes is best for his constituents. Democrats would not have tried so shamelessly to oust him if he were a mediocre legislator. He is what our Republican party must get back to...passionately striving to conserve the American way of life no matter the cost. Much better than the appease all mankind, drifting in the wind politics of the Democraps.

Way to go Greg...you should have higher aspirations than the state house...governor, congressman, senator etc.

Greg's buddies are out today! Let's not confuse cheerleading with the truth that it was fellow Republicans who brought forth the most serious charges against Hughes: bribery and pressuring a public official to not run against him in a primary election. Ironically it took other Republicans on the House Ethics Committee to get him off.