Simonsen pads Sugar House lead, faces recount

Soren Simonsen joked he would win re-election to the Salt Lake City Council by two votes. He was way off.

Tuesday's canvass of the Sugar House race shows he defeated challenger Lisa Ramsey Adams by a whopping 13 votes.

If that margin sticks.

The net increase of four votes in the margin since Election Day is not enough to avoid a District 7 recount, which will be conducted Friday morning, according to Salt Lake County Clerk Sherrie Swensen.

Simonsen notched 1,948 votes compared with 1,935 for Ramsey Adams once all the votes were counted and certified Tuesday. There were 11 write-in votes. On Election Night, Simonsen clung to a nine-vote lead.

"It was a nail-biter, but I'm ready to get back to work and put the election behind me because we've got a lot of issues to address," Simonsen said Tuesday. "I wasn't expecting to win by a large margin, but I'm very glad I've won. I have great respect for Lisa. I'd love to have her serve in some capacity because she has so much to contribute."

Ramsey Adams acknowledged the new tally is unlikely to change, but called for a recount nonetheless to "honor" all those who voted.

"This race demonstrated just how important each vote is, and we all want to be certain that it is accurate," she said. "When the recount has concluded, if the results remain the same, I will congratulate Soren and wish him well in his responsibilities."

While election outcomes have flipped after

a canvass in Salt Lake County, they never have been reversed through a recount, county officials say. "We're setting ourselves up that it is what it is," added Steve Simos, Ramsey Adams' campaign manager.

If the result holds, it means the council will get one new member in January -- Stan Penfold, who prevailed in the Avenues' District 3 contest.

The certified result takes into account all absentee and provisional ballots -- more than 350 it turns out -- counted as part of the so-called election canvass. A recount may be requested if the margin falls within 30 votes, which corresponds with the number of precincts in District 7. Both candidates already had ready the necessary letters seeking a recount.

From the start, the contest was competitive after Ramsey Adams showed her fundraising prowess. She nearly doubled the incumbent's bankroll by the end of the summer. It also proved testy, particularly during a Main Library debate. Simonsen, an architect and urban planner, insisted his challenger lacked proper experience, downplaying her volunteer work with schools and the PTA. In response, the attorney and former private guardian ad litem accused Simonsen of being ineffective and failing to deliver on a promised Sugar House police precinct.

Both counted historic preservation as a priority and emphasized the need for sound master planning. But while Simonsen pointed to the planned streetcar and smart growth, Ramsey Adams emphasized economic development and the need to combat crime.

The race also featured unusual infighting as three of Simonsen's council colleagues - J.T. Martin, Jill Remington Love and Carlton Christensen - endorsed Ramsey Adams. Asked whether the council dynamic now will be awkward, Simonsen said no. "We agree on a lot more than we disagree on."

Simonsen was endorsed by Mayor Ralph Becker, while his opponent had the backing of Becker's 2007 mayoral challenger, former Councilman Dave Buhler.

Despite the race's nonpartisan nature, those alliances spoke volumes about each candidate's political philosophy.

When the new council takes office in January, it immediately faces thorny policy questions, including legislation addressing panhandling and neighborhood bars.

djensen@sltrib.com