Weyher refused. Then he hinted he may run against Elliott in the 2008 commission race.

Elliott said she wonders what's going on in his head. "If he does run, I'll whup his butt."

And as for her demand - leveled at the county Democrats' Central Committee meeting - that he step down, she said, "It's come to the time when another person could more effectively help get Democrats elected in Summit County."

The dust-up concerns Weyher's personal problems. He is facing trial in Summit County on misdemeanor charges of drunken driving and assaulting an officer. In Salt Lake County, he has been charged with a misdemeanor after a candidate was offered a bribe to drop out of a political race.

He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

"There are some people who want to operate under the Napoleonic code that assumes I'm guilty till proven innocent," Weyher said. "But this isn't France."

Tensions also are the product of a division among party stalwarts over whether Summit County's form of government should be changed from a three-member commission to a five-member council with an appointed executive. The choice goes to voters in November.

Elliott and County Commissioner Bob Richer, a fellow Democrat, favor the change. Weyher and former county Democratic Chairman Mike Marty oppose it.

In April, Republican Bill Miles, who is running against Richer this fall, said he received a campaign contribution from Weyher and Marty. Like Weyher and Marty, the Republican opposes the change in government form.

But Weyher played down contention within the ranks of the party in an interview Monday afternoon.

"I'm still the chairman. And I'm working to get our candidates elected," he said. "I'm working to get Bob Richer elected."

Also Monday, Weyher nominated Marty to fill a vacancy as vice chairman of the South Summit area. In something of a surprise, Weyher announced that Marty would take on many of the chairman's day-to-day duties until November's election.

Weyher said his volunteer work for the state Democratic Party - not his legal woes - was the reason for the adjustment.

But Lora Bonham, the county Central Committee's secretary who also is running for Utah House District 53, said the move may placate some who see publicity surrounding Weyher as a cloud over Democratic candidates.

"It's part of a response to assuage angry Democrats in this county, until he can get his day in court."

csmart@sltrib.com