Provo Republican delegates gathered Tuesday evening to select a replacement for retiring state Rep. Jeff Alexander. They had 10 candidates to choose from and narrowed the field to two - John Curtis and Chris Herrod. But neither candidate ever received 60 percent of the vote, a county party requirement.
Utah County Republicans expected Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. to choose between Curtis and Herrod, but they didn't take into account a change in the law two years ago, which takes that power away from the governor. The party can only forward one name to replace a sitting lawmaker.
"You don't realize your rules are inadequate until you have an unusual situation arise," Greene said. "I'm willing to bet the bylaws of all 29 counties have the same problem."
She must now decide how to act, with the legislative session set to to begin in less than two weeks.
Some believe the decision should go back to the 73 delegates in House District 62. Utah County Republican Chairwoman Marian Monnahan said that is impossible because the process to change the bylaws would take too long. She expects Greene to pick between Curtis and Herrod.
Greene is still undecided.
"I will make the decision quickly as to how the party will proceed," she said. "It is an unfortunate situation."
Greene will ask county party leaders to review their bylaws and make changes, so the candidates and party officials are not put in the same predicament in the future.
"I don't ever want to see this again," she said.
Greene received numerous phone calls Wednesday lobbying for either Herrod or Curtis.
Herrod is seen as the candidate backed by party insiders. He is a real estate developer and long-standing party activist.
Herrod received one less delegate vote than Curtis, who ran as a Democrat against Sen. Curtis Bramble in 2000.
Curtis, who works for a company that makes equipment for shooting ranges, said he switched parties to make the Democratic party more conservative before switching back after Alexander retired. He considers himself a lifelong Republican.
Alexander stepped down after 16 years in the House. He was the House majority leader and he was unopposed in November's election.
Alexander has taken an unpaid adviser's position in the Governor's Office of Economic Development.
mcanham@sltrib.com
