This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
Salem • One incumbent had a great day at Saturday's Utah County Republican Convention. But several other political veterans facing challenges were either forced into primaries or eliminated from their races.
Longtime Sen. John Valentine, R-Orem, easily won the required 60 percent of delegate votes to secure the GOP nod against a spirited challenge by Rep. Craig Frank, R-Pleasant Grove. Better yet for Valentine, the senator essentially wrapped up re-election because no Democratic or third-party candidates are in the race.
Meanwhile, Rep. Brad Daw, R-Orem, was forced into a June 26 primary against challenger Dana Layton in a nail-biting 62-60 vote.
Both former Utah County Commissioner Steve White and former County GOP Chairman Taylor Oldroyd were eliminated in House District 48, which is a redrawn, combined district formerly represented by Stephen Sandstrom, R-Orem, and Chris Herrod, R-Provo. Sandstrom is running for Congress; Herrod is pursuing a U.S. Senate seat.
In that district, newcomers Keven Stratton, owner of Cascade Golf Club, and Taz Murray, owner of Dynamic Confections, will face each other in the primary. Stratton snagged 57 percent of the vote, just short of the 60 percent needed to avoid a runoff.
In the County Commission race, Commission Chairman Larry Ellertson was forced into a primary against Lorne Grierson. Ellertson received 55 percent of the tally in the final of three rounds of voting.
Valentine — who has served in the Senate for 14 years and was its past president — believes delegates were looking for someone with experience who can deliver for them, but who also has a vision for the future.
In his speech, he touted that he helped make Utah Valley University a university, assisted in delivering funds for reconstruction of Interstate 15 in Utah County and wants to work to reform public lands and education.
Frank argued government "is too big, too expensive, makes too many laws and strips people of … our responsibilities."
In an interesting twist, Valentine had passed legislation last year that helped return Frank to the House — but then Frank challenged him for the Senate. Frank had resigned from the House when he found his home was outside his district. Valentine's legislation added that area back to the district. Frank was reappointed to that seat after his replacement resigned.
Valentine logged 65 percent of the vote — 18 more delegates than needed to win the nomination. That essentially decided the race before it goes to voters because no Democrats or third-party candidates are running.
Even so, Valentine said the caucus-convention system represented the will of the people because caucus meetings attracted record crowds this year and elected the convention delegates.
"I hope to see that translated into a lot more voters voting in the general election," he said.
Meanwhile, Stratton conceded he would have liked to win the House District 48 nomination outright, but said the runoff will be good "because it will engage more people in the process now. Their voice will be heard."
That primary will be the only time voters will have a voice in that race as well. Again, no other candidates are running.
Oldroyd and White emphasized their political experience in their speeches, but it seemed to work against them. Stratton and Murray prevailed as they stressed their business experience and voiced conservative stands on such things as education and immigration. Stratton and Murray also outspent their rivals.
In state Senate District 7, an open seat, Deidre Henderson, of Spanish Fork, a former campaign manager for U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz, won 75 percent of the vote and will proceed to the general election.
Also winning automatic nominations were businessman Marc Roberts in House District 67 and attorney Mike McKell, of Spanish Fork, in House District 66.
In House District 6, Seth Moore will face Jake Anderegg in the primary. Much of that district was represented previously by Rep. Ken Sumsion, who is running for governor.
In House District 27, Sarah Nitta will face Mike Kennedy in a primary. Much of that district was represented by Rep. John Dougall, R-Highland, who is running for state auditor.
In House District 56, Christy Kane will face Kay Christofferson in the primary. In House District 57, John Stevens will face Brian Greene in June.