"The feeding frenzy begins," said Davis County GOP Chairman Ben Horsley.

One candidate must garner more than 60 percent of the delegate vote at convention - no small feat in an eight-contender race - or face off with the second-place vote getter in a June 24 primary.

The glut of candidates, several who signed up during the last hour of the filing period, stemmed from Sen. Dan Eastman, R-Bountiful, deciding not to seek a third term.

"This finishes my 20th consecutive year in public service," Eastman said, noting his eight years on the Davis School Board, four as transportation commissioner and just over eight in the state Senate. "I accomplished most of what I tried to do and I'd like to see some turnover in the Legislature."

Of the county's 800 GOP delegates, about 245 will cast votes to narrow the field in the district spanning Bountiful, Centerville, North Salt Lake, West Bountiful and Woods Cross.

The GOP eight include two women and six men who range in age from 33 to 67. Education, ethics reform, transportation and taxes top their reasons for jumping into a contest that could easily cost $30,000 to secure.

Once the GOP candidate gets selected - either at convention or via the June primary - that individual will take on Democrat Richard Watson, the party's county chairman and Constitution Party candidate Jorgina Hancock, both of Bountiful, in November's general election.

cmckitrick@sltrib.com