Davis Democratic Chairman Kim Wixom and Weber Chairwoman LaFray Kelley both attributed the best turnout in years to voter discontent with Republicans.

Each convention drew about 250 people.

Wixom, who lives in Layton, cited the Republican-dominated Legislature's handling of school vouchers and now, the omnibus bill on education, as sources of voter anger. “People are catching on . . . and looking to us for some leadership,” Wixom said.

Besides vouchers, voters are not happy with legislative attempts to change the way state School Board members are chosen, said Kelley.

The Davis County Democratic candidates and the seats they are seeking are: J. Dell Holbrook; County Commission; Richard Watson, Senate 23; Ben Wofford, House 13; Marcie West, House 14; Ryan Mellor, House 15; Carole Peterson, House 16; Pat Herrera, House 17; and Melvin Robinson, House 18. Kyle Roberts is the candidate for House District 20, which straddles the Salt Lake County line, and Mark Openshaw is the candidate for House District 11, which is in both Davis and Weber counties.

Weber County Democrats would have had a contest, but Ogden City Councilman Jesse Garcia pulled out of the race against incumbent Rep. Neil Hansen last week.

Garcia said Saturday an investigator for the U.S. Office of Special Counsel contacted him because someone complained his candidacy would violate the Hatch Act. Garcia is a senior advocate for Weber Human Services, which gets federal funding.

The Hatch Act bars federal employees as well as state and local employees in executive positions of agencies that receive federal funds from seeking partisan elected offices.

“I didn't want to fight it,” Garcia said. “It gets expensive.”

Besides Neil Hansen, Weber County's Democratic candidates are: Lewis Johnson, County Commission; Bill Hansen, Senate 19; Steve Olsen, Senate 20, Ava L. Painter, House 6; Rob Reynolds, House 7; Trent Alvord, House 9, and Mark Sage, House 12.