On Saturday, Donnelson failed to snag 60 percent of the delegate vote in District 7 at the Weber County Republican convention.

In fact, he finished second - barely. Challenger Ryan Wilcox had 45 votes to Donnelson's 44.

The winner in the June 24 runoff will face Democrat Rob Reynolds this fall.

Weber Republicans did settle on nominees in two other legislative districts. Incumbent Gage Froerer had 61 votes to challenger Max Hohman's zero in District 8. Jeremy Peterson ousted James Carrell 12-2 in District 9.

The 69-year-old Donnelson, whose five immigration-reform bills cleared the House but failed in the Senate, told delegates he has no plan to stop submitting the same bills.

"Until my constituents say enough is enough, I will keep bringing those bills back," he said.

Donnelson rejected critics' contention that he is a one-issue lawmaker, noting that only five of his 13 bills last session dealt with immigration.

He told delegates he has been an advocate for public education funding and has never supported a tax hike - even when pressed to do so by GOP leaders in the Statehouse.

Delegates pressed Donnelson on school vouchers, which he has supported in the Legislature and at the ballot box. The incumbent said if polls show District 7 residents oppose a particular voucher measure, he would vote against it.

Wilcox, 30, said he, too, voted for last November's voucher measure, but would honor the will of voters in District 7, who rejected vouchers.

The challenger said that while he agrees with Donnelson's passion for immigration reform, "it's time for new ideas and a fresh perspective in our district."

Wilcox vowed to run on a platform of limited government, personal responsibility, lower taxes and creating an environment in which children and businesses can thrive.

The property-tax system must be fixed, he said.

"My grandparents in Huntsville are being taxed out of their home," he said. "I would never vote for a tax increase, period."

kmoulton@sltrib.com