Later this month, The Salt Lake Tribune will publish its Utahn of the Year, and we'd like to know how our choice compares with yours.
Choose a candidate from the list of newsmakers below and cast your vote in the poll on the right, or nominate your own candidate, making sure you tell us why your choice deserves the recognition. Send an e-mail to utahnoftheyear@sltrib.com by Dec. 18 for possible publication in The Tribune. You also may send it by mail Attention: Utahn of the Year, The Salt Lake Tribune, 90 S. 400 West, Suite 700, Salt Lake City, UT, 84101. Please include your name and contact information.
In alphabetical order:
1. Matt Aune and Derek Jones, whose altercation with LDS Church security guards after they kissed on the Main Street Plaza, stoked the debate over church advocacy against gay rights.
2. Carlos Boozer, Utah Jazz power forward, whether fans like it or not.
3. Dave Checketts, sports entrepreneur whose Real Salt Lake clinched the Major League Soccer title.
4. Tim DeChristopher, monkey wrencher whose bogus bids halted a BLM lease sale.
5. Max Hall, Brigham Young University quarterback with a few choice words for rival University of Utah and its fans
6. Gary Herbert, little known Utah lieutenant governor suddenly elevated to the state's top spot
7. Jon Huntsman Jr., popular Utah governor who President Obama named U.S. ambassador to China
8. Rick Koerber, self-described "Latter-day capitalist" accused of fraud in a scheme that cost investors $100 million.
9. Mia Love, Saratoga Springs mayor-elect and the first black woman to be elected to the position in Utah
10. Nick Rimando, RSL goalie who stopped three shots in the shootout that made his team the MLS champion.
11. Elizabeth Smart, kidnapping victim who confronted her accused kidnapper in court with class and maturity.
12. Brett Tolman, outgoing U.S. attorney for Utah leading high profile prosecutions against Brian David Mitchell, Tim DeChristopher and alleged artifact thieves.
13. George Wahlen, Medal of Honor recipient who died in June.
