This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Both Utah delegations walked away from their respective Republican and Democratic conventions disappointed that their favored candidates fell short, but in terms of image and camaraderie, the Dems fared better.
Utah Republicans, who supported Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, earned the reputation of curmudgeons during the GOP gathering in Cleveland. They tried to overturn the primary season's results — which presumptively gave the presidential nod to Donald Trump — through failed procedural tactics. They refused to clap or cheer for many speakers.
As a consequence, during the delegation's daily breakfasts, which in past years have attracted high-profile speakers, not one of the convention's big-name stars bothered to break bread with the Beehive Staters.
Utah Democrats were disruptive at their Philadelphia convention, too, but in a different way. They joined Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders' backers from other delegations in booing and catcalling at times during speeches. Some joined a brief walkout.
But on Thursday, their breakfast at the DoubleTree Hotel near Valley Forge — along with delegations from five other states — was graced with talks from Sanders, Hawaii Gov. David Ige and former Maryland Gov. and presidential candidate Martin O'Malley.
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Plugging away • When Utah's Democratic delegation cast its 37 votes during the nationally televised roll call, it inadvertently gave a free ad to Maverik convenience stores.
"The industrious and beautiful Beehive State — adventure's first stop as home to five national parks, the greatest snow on Earth and the No. 1 state for volunteerism — casts 29 votes for Senator Bernie Sanders and eight votes for Secretary Hillary Clinton," bellowed Utah Democratic Party Chairman Peter Corroon.
"Adventure's First Stop" is the chain's slogan.
Corroon said he had no idea he was giving the company a plug until people started chiding him about it afterward.
"I hope I didn't violate any copyright laws," he said. "On the other hand, with that kind of a plug, they ought to at least give me free drinks for a year."
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Family ties • The Philly convention brought Corroon together in the same city with his first cousin, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, who ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004.
Because of their hectic schedules, though, the two were unable to connect for some family time.
"I didn't even know he was speaking at the convention," Corroon said, "until he got on the stage."
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Utah connections • The Utah delegation celebrated the showcasing of a "favorite daughter" when former Utah Education Association President and one-time congressional candidate Lily Eskelsen Garcia spoke as the head of the National Education Association.
But she was not the only Utahn playing a prominent role, and she wasn't the only Latino.
Utah native Mickey Ibarra, who was director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs under former President Bill Clinton, organized the Latino Leaders Luncheon that drew about 500 delegates.
Like Garcia, Ibarra rose through the political ranks as an activist for public education. He taught at-risk students for five years in Utah high schools, became involved with the UEA and later became political manager of the NEA.
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Another Utah celebrity • Convention Democrats also highlighted Misty Snow, who was honored by the LGBT community.
Snow is the first transgender nominee from a major party to run for the U.S. Senate. She will take on Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, in November.