Who ever is elected to lead Utah Democrats will face an unusual state electoral population. While most of the rest of the Country has swung decidedly Democratic except for most of the Southern States, Utah has remained solidly Republican, primarily on the basis of moral issues as well as the skepticism of government and the rest of the American population (as the Mormon Church faced religious discrimination earlier in its founding) and the pro-business philosophy of Republicans. In some ways the Mormon culture and the Republican Party as it has evolved are a strong match.

As the number of minorities and young people, and educated people (college graduates) increase in Utah, the demographics would suggest that even Utah at some point in the future will face a major Party battle. But for the next decade, patience will be primarily be of importance and selective targeting of the population whose Democratic ideals are paramount. Utah is changing, but whether the national Democratic Party can address the national and world issues successfully may also strongly influence what the future of Utah politics will be.

@Tab: generally I would agree, However if you look at actual registered voters, only 36% are registered republicans. The majority of voters are unaffiliated. I don't think the State is highly republican as much as some leaders would have us beleive. Most people are apathetic to politics in general.

And what percent are registered as Democrats? 12 percent or 13?