On Wednesday, Republican Mark Spute walked into the state Elections Office and withdrew his name from the House District 30 race against Biskupski.

His reason? He can no longer live in the district blaming criminals for breaking into his house, stealing jewelry and a stereo and making his family uncomfortable where they live. His Salt Lake City home is now on the market, and he plans to move to Tooele.

"It's unfortunate that criminals in our society can basically disturb an entire district," Spute said.

The Utah Constitution requires that elected officials reside in the district they represent.

But that constitutional mandate was no impediment to Midvale Republican Rep. Morgan Philpot who resigned on Tuesday, effective Sept. 30 - nearly a month after moving to Ann Arbor, Mich., to attend law school.

Philpot hasn't drawn a salary since leaving, but has retained health insurance for his family. The Republican candidate for Philpot's House District 45 - lumber supply salesman Mark Walker - is expected to be appointed to the seat prior to the November election.

Five candidates from the Personal Choice Party, two Libertarians, and Democrat Gene Bradford in Senate District 13 also gave up their bid for state political office by failing to meet Wednesday's deadline to file financial reports.

- Nicole Warburton

and Kirsten Stewart