Most mayors seeking re-election survived and some even thrived. Murray's Dan Snarr, Sandy's Tom Dolan and Syracuse's Fred Panucci glided to the Nov. 8 general election.

But some mayors - including West Jordan's Bryan Holladay, Pleasant Grove's Jim Danklef and Clearfield's Thomas Waggoner - were voted out of the running for next month's races, according to unofficial returns.

Meanwhile, Farmington's David Connors, Kaysville's Brian Cook, South Salt Lake's Wes Losser and Bluffdale's Wayne Mortimer escaped their primaries with second-place mayoral showings.

Turnout was abysmal, ranging from 5 percent to 35 percent.

Murray: Snarr rolled in Tuesday's marquee mayoral matchup, besting Salt Lake County Councilman David Wilde by 16 percentage points. Eliminated were former state lawmaker Chad Bennion and political neophyte Mike Romero.

"It's a nice win, but it's not over," Snarr said. "We're going to campaign extremely hard over the next five weeks. I'm not going to go negative. I'm just going to make [Wilde] run on his record as a county councilman."

Wilde said he's ready for the challenge.

"I'm glad to still be alive in this election," he said. "I have a good chance to win. About 53 percent of the voters said they want someone besides Dan Snarr in office. I'll work hard to get Bennion's and Romero's votes to come my way."

Bennion already is urging his backers to back Wilde.

"Murray needs a new mayor," Bennion said.

Sandy: The Great Gravel Pit Debate will continue to be an issue in the mayoral chase.

Three-term incumbent Tom Dolan and challenger Gary Forbush - a member of Save Our Communities, which is fighting development plans for the pit - emerged from Tuesday's three-man race.

Dolan supports The Boyer Co.'s development plans for the 107-acre pit at 9400 S. 1000 East. Forbush opposes them.

The incumbent mayor was happy with his 54 percent showing Tuesday. "To win any election by 14 percent, you should be satisfied," Dolan said.

But Forbush, a relative unknown, pointed to his 40 percent as a signal that the gravel pit fight is a concern for residents across Sandy, not just those living adjacent to the development.

"I'm pleased, and I've got to keep the momentum going," Forbush said.

West Jordan: Mayor Bryan Holladay was one of three mayoral candidates bounced by voters. The survivors were David Newton and Brian Pitts.

"When you make decisions, you're going to lose supporters," Holladay said late Tuesday.

Holladay was in his first term as mayor after serving seven years as a state lawmaker.

Still, with only 64 votes separating Pitts and Holladay, according to unofficial returns, the incumbent mayor might end up qualifying for a recount, according to the Salt Lake County Clerk's Office.

Salt Lake City: Incumbent Councilman Carlton Christensen will square off next month against Leslie Benns in the capital's northwest District 1.

Christensen's goal is developing a master plan for 6,000 acres west of the Salt Lake City International Airport, open space that eventually could be home to 20,000 residents. Benns is focusing on a revitalization plan for North Temple and healing divisions between immigrants and longtime residents of the district.

Incumbent Eric Jergensen and challenger Janneke House will face off to represent District 3, the Avenues and Capitol Hill. While curtailing monster homes is a key issue in the district, Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson could figure prominently in the race. He called residents this week touting House and noting she will "work with me and city staff, rather than against us."

Tuesday's primary was a horse race in District 7, which had six challengers to replace incumbent Dale Lambert, who opted not to seek a second term to represent Sugar House. Architect Soren Simonsen was the top vote-getter. But his ultimate opponent was unclear Tuesday night. There could be a recount because Gordon Poulson topped Danny Walz by just six votes. "We'll wait," said Walz. "Certainly it's favoring Gordon more than it is me."

Provo: Residents of Utah's third-largest city may be one step closer to having a former mayor on their City Council.

George Stewart, Provo's chief executive from 1994 to 1998, emerged as the leading candidate for the citywide seat being vacated by Dave Knecht. Investment analyst Mark Sumsion finished second and will oppose him in November. "I was hoping for 50 percent [of the vote], but I'll take 45," Stewart said.

In Provo's District 2 primary, incumbent Councilman Paul Warner and challenger Cindy Clark advanced.

Clearfield: With dozens of absentee ballots out, incumbent Mayor Thomas Waggoner trailed Mark Shepherd for the final spot to face Tuesday's top vote-getter: Dan Phelps.

Layton: Davis County's largest city will have its first new mayor in 12 years, and it will be either Steve Curtis or Steven Handy. Both men currently serve on the City Council.

The top finishers in the crowded race for Layton City Council were Michael Bouwhuis, Scott Frietag, Kathy Hyde and Ryan Jenkins.

Farmington: In Utah's first city to use electronic voting machines, incumbent Mayor Dave Connors finished second to businessman Scott Harbertson. The two will square off next month.

Kaysville: Incumbent Mayor Brian Cook barely survived the primary, capturing second place by only 52 votes, and will face Councilwoman Neka Roundy in the finale.

Tooele: Voters winnowed a field of seven mayoral candidates to two for the general election. Mayor Charlie Roberts stepped down last month to work for the Utah Tax Commission.

Patrick Dunlavy, who has been the city recorder for the past 23 years, and Steven Bevan, a retired engineer for the Federal Aviation Administration, will face off in a bid to replace Roberts.

Heber City: Two well-known City Council members, Shari K. Lazenby and David R. Phillips, emerged in the mayoral chase.

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Tribune reporters Todd Hollingshead, Heather May, Derek P. Jensen, Lori Buttars, Christopher Smart and Kristen Moulton contributed to this report.