The selection of Chris Herrod ended a two-day conundrum created by conflicting state law and party rules, which ultimately forced acting state Republican Party Chairwoman Enid Greene to pick between two finalists.

The Utah County Republican Party thought they could send two names to Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. if no candidate garnered 60 percent of the votes of delegates.

The Provo Republican insiders couldn't pick between Herrod and John Curtis.

And neither could Huntsman. The law changed in 2004, stripping the governor's ability to weigh in on midterm legislative replacements.

But no one - including the delegates who are lawmakers - recalled the change.

That forced the party to scramble to create a process to name a new lawmaker in House District 62.

Even though she didn't want the task, Greene ultimately took the responsibility.

She spent 30 minutes each with Herrod and Curtis, then talked to legislators and interested residents before picking Herrod.

He is a real estate developer backed by many sitting lawmakers.

Herrod said his two main issues are education and undocumented immigration.

He said he will keep his children in public schools, where he will support increased pay and possibly a move to a merit pay system.

But Herrod said he is also open to tuition tax credits.

His wife is a legal immigrant from Ukraine and he is frustrated by the influx of undocumented immigrants who, he feels, place a burden on the social services provided by the state.

Curtis felt his cause was hindered by his unsuccessful legislative campaign in 2000.

He ran as a Democrat against Sen. Curt Bramble. Curtis said he switched parties to make the Utah County Democratic Party more conservative. Curtis switched back to the Republican Party after Alexander resigned.

Alexander stepped down after 16 years in the House to take an unpaid advisory post in the Governor's Office of Economic Development.

Both Herrod and Curtis said Greene treated them fairly. She didn't question them about public policy stances, instead she focused on their background and the reasons they wanted to run for office.

Greene has called for each county Republican Party to update its bylaws to be prepared for any future midterm appointment.

mcanham@sltrib.com