New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson already was scheduled to be in Utah for the July 14 convention at Skyline High. But Democrats got word Friday that Connecticut Sen. Christopher Dodd also has confirmed his attendance.

"They will have 20 minutes apiece back to back," said party spokesman Bill KeshÂlear. "Even [former Gov.] Cal Rampton couldn't remember a time when two Democratic presidential candidates came to Utah for this event. . . . It's pretty unprecedented, we think."

State Party Chairman Wayne Holland said the scheduled visit by the pair of hopefuls, following a recent trip by John Edwards, reflects a "changing political landscape across the West."

Richardson places fourth or fifth among Democratic candidates in most recent polls, with 2 percent to 5 percent, while Dodd usually places well back with 1 percent or so. New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama and Edwards lead most polls on the Democratic side.

Dodd is married to Orem native Jackie Clegg Dodd, and the couple frequently travel to the state to visit relatives and ski, Keshlear said.

Democrats are delighted about the planned Richardson and Dodd speeches to hundreds of delegates in what might otherwise be a lackluster convention because there are no races for state party leader.

Holland is uncontested in his bid for a second term, as is Vice Chairman Rob Miller.

Keshlear said the convention is open to anyone and he hopes the general public will take the party up on the invitation.

"It's a big auditorium and it would be nice to fill it up," he said.