Yocom, in his fourth stint as the county's top lawyer, told Salt Lake County Democrats during their convention that he would serve out his remaining 20 months in office and then retire, confirming speculation that has been swirling for more than a year.

"There is a time to hang it up and let someone younger with more energy and new ideas have the opportunity to serve as your district attorney," 66-year-old Yocom told the crowd at Highland High School. "I will therefore not seek your nomination next year for DA."

Meanwhile, former West Valley City Councilwoman Janice Fisher was named by Democrats to fill an empty Utah House seat being vacated by Rep. Brent Goodfellow. He was chosen by Democrats last month to take the place of Sen. Ron Allen, of Stansbury Park, who was appointed to the state Public Service Commission.

Democrats also elected new county party leadership, naming newcomer Megan Risbon as the new chairwoman. Risbon - who at 27 is one of the Democrats' youngest leaders - promised to work hard to boost party candidates.

"We need to start now," she said after the results were announced. "We need to start recruiting candidates for every race."

Risbon, who beat out state party treasurer Lisa Allcott and county second vice chairman Charles Kimball, added that Democrats need to educate residents that Democratic values are the same as Utah values. Risbon replaces Chairwoman Nichole Adams, who did not seek a third term.

Yocom's departure - his term ends January 2007 - comes after one of the most contentious years in his career during which he investigated and filed felony charges against Workman, a Republican who lost the backing of her party during her re-election campaign but was later found not guilty by a jury for alleged misuse of public money.

Republicans claimed that Yocom was politically motivated in bringing the probe and charges; the district attorney had made no secret of his distaste for Workman.

Democratic County Councilman Jim Bradley said that while the Workman case may be in the minds of people now, ultimately Yocom will have left a legacy of other prosecutions.

"He'll be remembered for his career as a whole," Bradley said. "The Workman chapter will be a small chapter in a bigger picture."

Besides getting a jury conviction against Bundy, who was later executed in Florida's electric chair on separate murder charges, Yocom has been involved in multiple high-profile cases. Among others, he prosecuted the late Ervil LeBaron, a self-proclaimed prophet who called on his "soldiers" to execute rival polygamists, and later oversaw the plea-bargained case that sent bomber-forger Mark Hofmann to prison for life.

Yocom's planned retirement marks the end of a career as a public and private attorney.

"I don't have any job lined up," he said. "I plan on playing golf and traveling."

With Yocom out of the race in '06, there are several contenders that may seek his position, including Yocom's current assistant justice division director, Kent Morgan, a Republican; Salt Lake City prosecutor Sim Gill, a Democrat; and former attorney general candidate Greg Skordas, who, ironically, was Workman's defense attorney.

Also on Saturday, Democrats elected Joe Crockett as the party's first vice chairman; Ann Ober as second vice chairwoman; Angela Romero as secretary; and Susie McHugh as treasurer. Ober and McHugh ran unopposed.

tburr@sltrib.com

David Yocom's years in public office

* Attorney for Salt Lake County: 1986-95

* District attorney: 1999-2007