But the political fallout may not end there.

In the chess game that is Utah politics, Republican and Democratic candidates and some pundits say capturing the high-profile Salt Lake County mayoral seat is a strategically critical move - perhaps a tipping point - for the state's minority party.

Losing the race could prove a game killer, whereas winning it might give Democrats an advantage in already vulnerable County Council and state Senate and House races.

"This certainly is the sort of thing that Republicans did not want to happen because it gets them on one of the issues they always pride themselves on: fiscal responsibility," said University of Utah political science professor Matthew Burbank. "The Democrats, particularly in Salt Lake County, may be able to use this to their advantage."

Democratic state Rep. Ty McCartney of Salt Lake City sees the potential.

"I don't think this is the year that we'll pick up a majority [in the House]. But I think it will influence some of the races and will give the Democrats a greater chance of picking up more seats."

Said Republican Salt Lake County Councilman David Wilde: "[Voters] might develop an attitude of 'Throw the bums out.' But I hope not."

Republicans have dominated in Utah since the mid-70s, but in recent years they have achieved nearly total political control. And while Democrats have been harping on the state's lopsided governance for breeding corruption and secrecy, the GOP has come away from past scandals unscathed.

"Will it encourage Salt Lake Valley residents to pause at the polls before voting a straight [Republican] ticket? I hope so," said Senate Minority Whip Ron Allen. "But it hasn't always happened that way."

A lot depends on whether Workman resigns and the degree to which the Republican Party seeks to distance itself from the embattled mayor.

Brigham Young University political scientist Kelly Patterson notes that for isolated instances of scandal to taint a whole political party there would have to be a history of such problems, he said. "In the absence of that history, then the message becomes less credible and not as easy to make."

Allen believes there is a history, though he notes "corruption isn't limited to any one party. . . . You put any party in absolute power for 20 years and you're going to have problems."

Democratic Rep. Ralph Becker said incumbents could suffer from the Workman scandal.

"I think that it probably accrues to the benefit of those who are not in office," said the Salt Lake City lawmaker. "It's a reflection on incumbents - and in this case the incumbents are Republicans."

Whatever the outcome, Democrats and Republicans agree that many Salt Lake County "swing" seats are at risk. In the Senate, incumbents on watch include Republican Sens. Carlene Walker of Cottonwood Heights, James Evans of Salt Lake City and Mike Waddoups of Taylorsville.

"It could well be that these things do affect the opinions, the attitudes and the comfort of . . . voters," said Democrat Fred Fife, who is challenging Evans for his Senate District 1 seat.

Waddoups and Walker welcome increased voter scrutiny.

"I like to be chosen rather than just adopted," said Waddoups.

Said Walker: "I would hope Nancy's race wouldn't reflect on mine. But I'm proud of my record over the past four years and have no problem standing on what I've accomplished."

Republicans in the hot seat on the House side include Kearns Reps. Eric Hutchings, West Valley City's Ron Bigelow, Millcreek's Susan Lawrence, Taylorsville's Jim Dunnigan, Murray's Chad Bennion and Greg Curtis of Sandy.

Bennion and Curtis may have the most to fear because of their ties to Salt Lake County. Bennion is an administrative assistant to a councilman, and Curtis, the House majority leader, recently resigned as Workman's legal counsel.

While recently cleared from any legal wrongdoing, Curtis admitted that he asked the state for mileage reimbursement while driving an SUV owned and fueled by the county.

The controversy has thrown the typically low-profile race for House speaker into the spotlight. Curtis and Kamas Rep. David Ure are two prominent candidates for that Republican leadership post.

But Curtis is unfazed. He says he trusts voters to see past the bipartisan sniping and reiterated he has no intention of bowing out of the speaker's race.

"Dave Ure is a formidable opponent. It's not going to be a cakewalk," said Curtis. "[But] I'm stronger now than I've ever been."

As for his legislative race, Curtis said the county scandal shouldn't hurt him more than any other incumbent.

"I was employed in Salt Lake County, and I left there more than three months ago," he said. "Allegations of [Workman's] impropriety are completely unrelated to anything I was being investigated for."

Some of Curtis' colleagues see it differently. While wary to criticize Curtis openly, some Republicans and Democrats admit privately that the scandal may cost him the speaker's post.

Patterson agrees, "I think it raised doubts about the quality of his leadership and whether or not he may be in some way damaged goods to the rest of the party.

"There are kinds of scandals, even if you're cleared, that hurt you at the margins."

kstewart@sltrib.com;

nwarburton@sltrib.com

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Tribune reporter Christopher Smart contributed to this report.