This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2005, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Democratic delegates will huddle today to choose a new state senator, the third time the party has had to replace a lawmaker this year. Five candidates are vying to take the seat of Sen. Ron Allen, a Stansbury Park Democrat who is resigning his seat to take an appointment as a state Public Service Commission member. Nearly 90 Democratic delegates from Senate District 12 will meet at Hunter High School, 4200 S. 5600 West in West Valley City, at 11 a.m. today to elect a replacement. Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. is expected to appoint the new senator when Allen is confirmed to his new post. Candidates for the Senate seat are Rep. Brent Goodfellow, former Rep. Dan Tuttle, Steve Shamy, James Valarian and Judy Weeks. Democrats selected a new senator, attorney and gay-rights advocate Scott McCoy, a week into the 2005 legislative session after Sen. Paula Julander, D-Salt Lake City, resigned for health reasons. And Rep. Larry Wiley, D-West Valley City, was appointed after Rep. Ty McCartney, D-Salt Lake City, resigned to take a new post in Salt Lake City government. - Thomas Burr
