'08 could be watershed year for Demos, Matheson says
The Republicans dominating the Utah Legislature are not listening to their constituents, and the GOP is out of touch nationally, as well, said Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, who is seeking re-election this year. He pointed specifically to a school voucher law passed by state legislators that was overwhelmingly overturned in voting last November by the people they represented. That is a Legislature made up of those who do not listen to their constituents, he said.
"There's a different environment now," he said. "People are taking their vote more seriously."
Matheson said he always tells people that their elected officials will affect their lives, for good or bad — which is why voting matters. This year, people are willing to take a look at Democratic candidates because of what has happened recently in the Legislature and nationally.
"In 2008, we belong nationally to the party of fiscal responsibility," he said.
In general, a calm atmosphere prevailed at the convention, for there wasn't much intraparty competition. With only two contested races — in House District 57 and Senate District 16 — most of the Democratic candidates simply met with district delegates and residents.
Hatfield will face Republican incumbent Senate Majority Leader Curt Bramble, R-Provo, for the Senate seat, a fight she wasn't initially thrilled to wage.
"At first I didn't want to run and take on the Goliath of Curt Bramble," she said. But she changed her mind and decided she should run to try to change the Legislature and make a difference. She said she can get Republican votes, and the delegates clearly agreed with her.
"I believe we can beat Curt Bramble," she said to loud applause.
Ethics, health insurance, education and the environment were at the top of the list for all the candidates, as well as stressing that the Legislature needs to have two parties to work together in order to accomplish the things the people of the state want.
Richard Davis, Utah County Democratic Party chairman, said every race would be difficult, but the party will have a great slate of candidates.
"We have a big task this year, winning these elections for the first time in a long time in Utah County," he said.
Matheson, seeking a fifth two-year term representing Utah's 2nd Congressional District, knows what he and others of his party face at election time.
"I know it's not easy to run as a Democrat in Utah," he said. "Good luck, we all need to do this together."
About 200 people attended the convention, a notable increase among attendees from the past few years.
In addition to Hatfield and Huffmon, there are 11 Democratic candidates for the Legislature this year from Utah County. They include: Ken Peay in Senate District 13; Gwyn Franson in House District 27; Steve Baugh in House District 58; Paul Thompson in House District 59; Boyd McAffee in House District 60; Deon Turley in House District 61; Claralyn Hill in House District 62; Don Jarvis in House District 63; Boyd Petersen in House District 64; Doug Baxter in House District 65; and Debbie Swenson in House District 66.
E-MAIL: csmith@desnews.com
Recent comments
Not Yet...worry less about alignment and more about individual action...
logical | May 7, 2008 at 2:43 p.m.
I could almost vote for a Matheson. Too bad he is alignted with...
Not Yet | May 3, 2008 at 10:42 p.m.
I think the Matheson is right this year, especially after the Republican...
Time for change | May 3, 2008 at 10:38 p.m.
