But his campaign for county GOP vice chairman ended unexpectedly Saturday.

The problem: Jensen is not a registered Republican, a requirement for any Salt Lake County GOP position.

Party insider Dana Dickson brought the oversight to Jensen's attention after the filing deadline for county positions passed Friday evening, though Dickson knew about it earlier.

Jensen called it a "dirty play."

Dickson countered by saying: "Everyone is allowed to do everything they can within the framework of the rules."

Dickson's choice for vice chairman is Milton Witt, whose sole opponent is Keith Haines. The county GOP convention is scheduled for Saturday..

Witt said he knew about Jensen's registration Friday, and said he was "shocked."

Jensen, who lives in Sandy, remembers the last time he registered to vote, but thought he checked the box indicating his party affiliation.

Party workers also missed his mistake.

"The party should have validated it," Jensen said Saturday. Even so, he said he takes responsibility and will not challenge the bylaws. "Regardless of the tactics, rules are rules."

Nonetheless, Jensen, who has become a frequent lobbyist on Capitol Hill, plans to remain politically active. He has pushed for legislation to overhaul the Division of Child and Family Services and the Guardian Ad Litem's Office, two state agencies involved in the high-profile push to force his then-12-year-old son, Parker, into chemotherapy in 2003.

"I don't need an office or a vice chairmanship to continue to represent people of like values," he said.

In the chairman race, former state Sen. James Evans appears to be the front-runner. His opponent is Patrick Reagan, a Republican precinct chairman.

mcanham@sltrib.com