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Updated: 2:18 PM- Pennant chases around the corner, 'tis the time for fall campaigns to start swinging.
On Thursday, Salt Lake City mayoral finalist Dave Buhler took the first cut.
Calling himself a doer, not a dreamer, Buhler stood in the shadow of the Utah Capitol to outline a "to-do list" of reforms he needs state help to tackle, if elected.
He wants to liberalize liquor laws, tweak redevelopment statutes to help schools, protect the elderly from being priced out of their homes by property tax hikes, rebuild the North Temple viaduct and partner with the state to fund a downtown arts district.
Buhler also assailed the legislative record of his opponent Ralph Becker, whom he questioned for passing just 15 bills during 11 years in the Utah House.
"Some years he didn't seem to make much of an effort," the Republican Buhler said about his Democratic opponent. "The race is between two nice guys," but "one's focus is on results. The other is focused on planning and blueprints."
Becker took the news conference in stride. He noted oftentimes he would deliberately co-sponsor "good legislation" - with a Republican sponsor - in the GOP-dominated Legislature to assure its passage.
"I am happy to compare my record with anybody," Becker said. "I've been elected six times. I have never missed a day in the Legislature."
Becker explained his job as House minority leader was to be a voice for Democrats across the state and to develop positions to show how the party would lead.
"I do not want my position as a Democrat to interfere with getting good policy passed for the state of Utah."
Buhler, a two-term city councilman who finished 11 percentage points behind Becker in the Sept. 11 primary, says he relishes the role of the underdog.
Suggesting Becker has been ineffective on Capitol Hill, Buhler pointed to his four-year Utah Senate term (when he passed 36 bills) and eight years at City Hall as tenures more full of results.
The general election between Buhler and Becker is Nov. 6.