Tell that to Murray Mayor Dan Snarr, who was the target of an 11th-hour Republican Party attack two years ago that encouraged Republicans to vote for Snarr's opponent, David Wilde, because of his Republican affiliation.

That was a nonpartisan race, too. But here's what the mailer, paid for by the GOP, said at the time: "As a Republican you cannot afford to stay home for the 2005 municipal elections. Cast your ballot for David Wilde for Murray City mayor."

Evans says many Republicans complained, saying they didn't want the party telling them how to vote in a nonpartisan race. "You evolve and you learn," he said.

Home field advantage? Mitt Romney will officially declare his candidacy Tuesday for Utah's presidential primary set for February, using a proxy familiar to Utah Republicans.

Expect some pomp and ceremony in the morning when state Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, walks into the Lieutenant Governor's Office and hands over a $500 check made out to the state from the Romney campaign. He will present a notarized letter designating himself as Romney's official representative. He also will present a letter from the National Republican Committee requesting Romney be on the ballot, and then he will present the official declaration of candidacy.

No word on whether the Mormon Tabernacle Choir will be there to hum "Hail to the Chief."

Benefit for Tree Bob: Salt Lake City Council member Eric Jergensen says anyone wanting to donate food, goods or time toward an Avenues street party set for Saturday to benefit "Tree Bob" Brossard can call Jergensen at 931-2141 or Tom and Mary Cartwright at 363-7564.

Brossard's home was destroyed by a fire set by three teens. He has minimal insurance.

Jergensen said 5th Avenue between F and G Streets will be blocked off for the street party from 1 to 5 p.m. Cash donations can be made to the Robert Brossard Donation Account at any Zions Bank.

No losers here: Utah's Own, which promotes buying locally produced foods, helped sponsor a cook-off at the Utah State Fair. On Friday, as Bob and Randy Harmon of Harmons grocery stores awarded Roberta Stephenson, of American Fork, $1,000 in groceries for her winning chicken enchiladas, they learned Maren Larsen would get nothing for her second-place pull-apart chicken.

So they immediately changed the rules and awarded her $200 in groceries.

prolly@sltrib.com