(Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) Pete Ashdown draws a laugh from the crowd while stumping for the U.S. Senate during party caucuses Tuesday night at the Utah Capitol. Ashdown hopes to secure the Democratic nomination for the seat now held by six-term Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch. (Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) It was standing-room-only as Utah Democrats held caucuses in the state Capitol cafeteria Tuesday to elect delegates to state and county conventions. (Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune) State Sen. Ben McAdams, D-Salt Lake City, draws a laugh from Democrats while campaigning for Salt Lake County mayor at party caucuses at the Utah Capitol on Tuesday evening. McAdams is running against fellow Democratic Sen. Ross Romero for the party's nomination to replace outgoing Mayor Peter Corroon. (Leah Hogsten | Tribune file photo) State Rep. Rebecca Chavez-Houck (left) helps Sue Marquardt find her way to the right precinct group. Chavez-Houck, a Democrat from Salt Lake City, isn't surprised at Utah's low voter turnout. She's been pushing for years to try and boost participation. (Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune) State Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake City, a candidate for Salt Lake County mayor, talks to caucusing party members at Eisenhower Junior High School in Taylorsville on Tuesday night. Romero and fellow Sen. Ben McAdams are battling for the Democratic nomination to take the place of outgoing mayor Peter Corroon. (Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune) Salt Lake County mayoral candidate Ross Romero makes his pitch to Democratic caucus attendees Tuesday night at Eisenhower Junior High School in Taylorsville. (Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune) Democrats fill out paperwork during neighborhood caucuses Tuesday night to select delegates to party conventions. The delegates elected in caucuses at Eisenhower Junior High School in Taylorsville and 147 other locations around the state will pick Democratic nominees in a variety of races. (Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune) Democrats attend party caucuses Tuesday night at Eisenhower Junior High School in Taylorsville. Delegates elected at 148 locations around the state will shape the candidate lineup for this year's election -- choosing nominees in races from governor to the Legislature and county elections. (Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune) Democrats in Taylorsville and nearby areas elect delegates to county and state party conventions during caucuses at Eisenhower Junior High School. Democrats said turnout this year at some 148 locations statewide was a big improvement over two years ago.