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Letter: Zehnder may indeed have been ‘speechless,’ but he hasn’t been elected

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Senator Brian Zehnder, R-Holladay, talks about the challenge of getting H.B. 472 - Medicaid Expansion Revisions to the desk of Gov. Gary Herbert, during a signing ceremony in the Gold Room of the Utah Capitol on Tuesday, March 27, 2018. The bill would expand Medicaid healthcare coverage to cover an additional 60,000 Utahns below the poverty line — pending approval from the federal government.

As my papa used to say (not really): “Blessed are those who tweet their own horn, for it must be tweeted.” Surprisingly, this letter is not about Donald Trump. It’s about Brian Zehnder who represents Utah’s Senate District 8, of which I am a resident.

In a March 25 Tribune opinion piece, he pronounces he was “speechless and humbled” to find that the only doctor in the Utah Senate, Brian Shiozawa, resigned, so he decided to run for the vacant seat. He opines he “won” and was “elected” to replace Shiozawa.

Dr. Zehnder, I don’t recall any election. Utah Republican delegates “selected” you to succeed Shiozawa for the remainder of his term. You may be “elected” for the seat in November and actually “win,” but for now you’re still on the “selected” list.

I do compliment you on your willingness to stand-and-deliver in the meantime.

Elaine Larson, Cottonwood Heights