This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Murray • State Sen. Ben McAdams edged out fellow legislator Ross Romero on Saturday to lock up the Democratic nomination for Salt Lake County mayor.

Meanwhile, Utah's only openly gay legislator — freshman Rep. Brian Doughty — lost his bid for another term.

"Our message resonated and now we can bring our party together with a unified voice," McAdams said at the Salt Lake County Democratic Convention at Murray High. "I look forward to moving forward together."

But it took two rounds of voting to get there. McAdams garnered 57 percent in the initial delegate tally — short of the 60 percent needed to dodge a June 26 primary — while Romero had 43 percent.

In the second round, McAdams mustered 61.5 percent, barely clearing the threshold to advance to November's general election. Romero's support slipped to 38.5 percent.

The Democrats are trying to hold on to the top spot in Utah's most-populous county after Mayor Peter Corroon opted against seeking a third term.

Some delegates said they believed McAdams, who is a devout Mormon, would be the stronger candidate this fall — especially with fellow Latter-day Saint Mitt Romney expected to top the Republican presidential ticket.

Increasing Mormon participation among Utah Democrats has been a key goal of state party boss Jim Dabakis.

"It's really important to get more LDS Democrats involved," said Kelly Marinana, who lives in east Salt Lake City's Yalecrest neighborhood. "It's the only way we can get away from being a one-party state."

But Cottonwood Heights resident Deborah Beckstead, a self-identified Mormon grandma, backed Romero. She argued he would help bring new voters, especially Latinos, to the Democratic Party and insisted that would be a better strategy than trying to persuade Republicans to vote for a single Democrat on the ballot.

"We need to give people a reason to vote Democrat. This county has elected [District Attorney] Sim Gill and [President] Barack Obama, and race and religion didn't matter," Beckstead said. "Religion is not a reason why I choose a candidate."

Romero, whose legislative term ends this year, said he was disappointed with the loss but hoped his campaign brought in new voters.

"We have a great nominee," Romero said, "who can lead us well and help us retain the Salt Lake County mayor's office."

McAdams touted his ability to reach across the aisle, pointing to a meeting he had with then-state Sen. Chris Buttars, conservative lobbyist Gayle Ruzicka and several members of her Eagle Forum to earn promises that they wouldn't oppose local ordinances protecting gay and transgender residents from housing and job discrimination.

The Salt Lake City legislator also trumpeted his desire for clean air and clean water and to safeguard thepristine backcountry of Salt Lake County for future generations.

"The future I believe in," McAdams told delegates, "is one where they all receive a quality education, where they are not kept indoors at recess because the air quality is too bad to go outside, and that when they grow up, they can get a good job right here in Salt Lake County."

In his speech, McAdams stayed away from directly comparing himself with Romero.

"It is my belief you don't queue in line to run for office," McAdams said. "I believe you choose the right person at the right time to run for office."

In County Council District 4 race, former U.S. Senate candidate and restaurateur Sam Granato (60.5 percent) topped Occupy activist Deb Henry in the second round to advance to the November election. Eliminated in the first round were former County Auditor Jeff Hatch and attorney Paul Nielson.

Democrats, who trail Republicans 5-4 on the council, are trying to keep this east-side seat after Councilwoman Jani Iwamoto opted against seeking a second term.

In legislative races, the biggest stunner was Doughty's defeat in District 26 after Angela Romero nabbed more than 70 percent of the vote to win the party nod.

Although the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community is losing a legislator on Capitol Hill, Mary Bishop, chairwoman of the county's Democratic Party, said the LGBT community's voice still would be heard.

"Social justice is very much Angela's thing," Bishop said. "It's timing, timing, timing and the way the district was drawn. But the delegates spoke."

Brandie Balken, executive director for Equality Utah, said that though Doughty will no longer be representing the LGBT community in the Legislature, they still have others in government with ties to the community.

"It's important to acknowledge that there are still openly LGBT people serving in elected office," she said. "We will continue to move forward with work and policies to work toward fairness and equality."

Balken said the group looks forward to working with Angela Romero if she wins the legislative seat.

In House District 24, Rep. Rebecca Chavez-Houck coasted with more than 80 percent of the vote over Richard Golberger.

There will be two Democratic legislative primaries — in House District 33, between incumbent Rep. Neal Hendrickson and Liz Muniz and, in Senate District 8, between former legislator Ty McCartney and Josie Valdez, a former lieutenant governor candidate who is married to Rep. Mark Wheatley, D-Murray.

Reporter Jessica Miller contributed to this story.