l What the Democrats want:

The Utah Democratic Party wants Nancy Workman's doctor to sign a statement, swearing that, "I certify that Nancy Workman is physically or mentally disabled."

l What Workman's doctor, Phillip L. Roberts of Sandy, wrote Oct. 11:

"In my opinion, the strain upon her physical and emotional condition disable her from continuing as a political candidate without unreasonably [compromising] her health." Democratic Party leaders Wednesday gave the GOP an ultimatum: Get Nancy Workman's doctor to sign a statement saying she is disabled, or they will sue.

Utah Democratic Chairman Donald Dunn pledged that if Workman's doctor will sign the 10-word statement, the party will drop all opposition to replacing her on the ballot.

And, if the Republicans - or the doctor - decline?

"We will take court action," Dunn said. "Voters are entitled to elections that are fair and legal."

The Salt Lake County Republican Party has requested that election workers replace Workman - the embattled incumbent who already has withdrawn from the race - with write-in challenger Ellis Ivory. The Democratic-led clerk's office, though, has rejected an initial attempt to put Ivory on the ballot, saying the GOP's Central Committee must first make him its official nominee. The committee is meeting Oct. 26 - just seven days before the Nov. 2 election.

Dunn sent his request in a letter to Republican Party Chairwoman Tiani Coleman on Wednesday morning. But Coleman said Dunn needs to direct his concerns about the doctor's note to Workman or her attorney.

"It has nothing to do with me or the party," Coleman said.

Workman, reached at home, declined comment. "I'm out of it," she said. Her doctor, Phillip Roberts of Sandy, did not return a phone call seeking comment.

Her attorney, David Jordan, said there was no reason for the Democrats to even discuss another doctor's note since the District Attorney's Office, headed by a Democrat, already ruled favorably on the current doctor's note.

"I just don't have anything to add to the legal opinion written by the district attorney to the county clerk saying it satisfies the statute. That seems to me to end the discussion," Jordan said.

Dunn said the doctor's language doesn't qualify under the state law, which says a doctor must certify a candidate as already physically or mentally disabled, the wording Dunn used in his statement. Her doctor's statement said that if she continued in the race, it would compromise her health.

He added that he has assembled a legal team - headed by former state Rep. Scott Daniels - and is ready to file a suit if Workman's doctor will not sign the statement.

During a morning news conference, Dunn also referred to quotes from the mayor where she insists she is staying in the race and would not ask a doctor to lie.

The Democratic leader also played a television-news clip showing Workman walking into court Monday for an arraignment. When a reporter asked her if she was disabled, she replied, "I'm dis-something. . . . I'm discombobulated."

"The mayor is asked: 'Are you disabled?' and she laughs," Dunn said about the clip.

Salt Lake County Democratic Chairwoman Nichole Adams said the party wants to ensure the current efforts to replace Workman do not reverberate into future elections.

"What would stop a candidate with a lot of scandals or [who] is down in the polls, or any arbitrary reason, from using this escape hatch?" Adams asked.

The Democratic Party's comments go against the wishes of its own nominee, Peter Corroon, who has criticized efforts to replace Workman but has asked his party not to sue.

"What they're asking for is justified," Corroon said, referring to Dunn's comments. But, "I don't think it would benefit this election. We need to get past the scandals and get back to the election."

Ivory says right now, he is just focusing on his campaign.

"I have 12 days to try to get to the people and tell them what I want to do as mayor," he said, noting that in the end he will abide by whatever the decision is.

Corroon, Ivory and unaffiliated candidate Merrill Cook are vying for the mayor's post.

Workman, whose term is up in January, has been placed on paid leave while facing two felony charges of misuse of public funds. She denies any criminal wrongdoing and is scheduled for a jury trial on Feb. 1.

tburr@sltrib.com