Sen. Curtis Bramble, R-Provo, acknowledged Wednesday putting forth a proposal for the Legislature's special-session agenda next week. But he and others backed off after finding little support in the midst of Workman's legal and political problems.

"The question was brought up. Was there a serious discussion? The answer is no," said Bramble, insisting the proposal was not prompted by the Workman case.

But the senator acknowledged he talked about such a move with Republican Party leaders and with legislators on both sides of the political aisle. The response was frigid.

"I said it was terribly political" to do it in the middle of the current Salt Lake County mayoral controversy, said Senate Majority Leader Mike Waddoups, R-Taylorsville.

Added Senate Democratic Leader Mike Dmitrich, of Price: "It would be terrible timing to do it now, and I think it would make the Legislature look bad."

Gov. Olene Walker's spokeswoman, Amanda Covington, said the Republican governor was aware of the move but that it would not be considered during the planned Wednesday special session.

Under Utah law, the governor has exclusive authority to determine a special-session agenda.

The proposal being discussed - and likely to surface during the regular legislative session in January - would simply give political parties the right to name replacement candidates whenever their certified nominee withdraws from an election, regardless of the reason.

Current law allows a replacement candidate only if the original one dies, resigns because of a physical or mental disability, is disqualified for improperly securing the nomination or withdraws to run for U.S. president or vice president.

Bramble said the law needs to give parties greater flexibility to name their own candidates.

"We have a gap in our election law. The discussions have been, is there a way to address it in a bipartisan fashion," Bramble said. "Is it reasonable for the voters to have a choice of [Democrat] Peter Corroon, [Independent] Merrill Cook or a Republican with two criminal charges against them? Is it good for our process?"

The Utah County lawmaker emphasized that he has "no dog in that fight" in Salt Lake County, but is looking at the broader policy issues.

A confidential bill file already has been opened by a House member, and Bramble predicted the legislation will be debated in January with bipartisan support.

"I agree with the concept," Dmitrich said. "The law should be changed, but I don't think it should be changed until the general session."

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Tribune reporter Thomas Burr contributed to this story.