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Republican delegates have selected Derrin Owens of Fountain Green to replace former Rep. Jon Cox, R-Ephraim, who resigned in early July to become the communications director for Gov. Gary Herbert.
"It's overwhelming. I'm still shaking about it. But I'm excited. It's going to be fun, and I am serving the best people in the world," Owens, a high-school counselor and part-time rancher, said on Friday.
Owens will serve in Legislative District 58, which contains portions of Sanpete and Juab Counties. "I live in Fountain Green, which is just inside Sanpete County. And I work in Juab County" at Juab High School in Nephi, Owens said.
He defeated four other candidates. Owens secured the nomination in the second round of balloting with 53 percent of the vote against Sanpete County Commission Chairwoman Claudia Jarrett. Voting took place at a special caucus on Thursday at Snow College in Ephraim.
Owens will now have his name sent to Herbert, who will formally appoint him if the governor concurs with the nomination.
His predecessor, Jon Cox, was also initially appointed to the seat to replace former Rep. Spencer Cox — his fourth cousin — when Spencer Cox resigned to become Herbert's lieutenant governor. Owens said he is not related to the Coxes.
Owens said this is the first time he has sought political office, although he has served as a county Republican delegate.
He said he plans to focus heavily on issues important to rural areas including education (where he has special interest as a high school counselor) agriculture and water. "I have a ranch on the side, and run a few cattle," he said.
Cox said he moved from Arizona to Sanpete County in 1984 to attend Snow College, where he met his wife.
After graduating from Southern Utah University, "I was hired at Juab High School 23 years ago. I've been there in the same place ever since."
Owens said about his district, "We're kind of overlooked as the lower-populated, rural part of Utah. I would like to represent us well, and will contribute everything I can."