GOP primary features intriguing races

Tuesday is primary election day for Utah Republicans (and sneaky Democrats who can't resist the urge to vote). There are only a handful of intraparty contests for Utah's GOP, but one of them, the treasurer's race, is statewide, so all voters who register as Republicans can vote. Here are a few of the primaries with unique dynamics that are generating a lot of interest.

House District 20: Incumbent Rep. Paul Neuenschwander faces challenger Becky Edwards. Teachers unions and others in the education advocacy network have so far stumbled in most attempts to knock off legislators who have supported voucher legislation. In Edwards, they found someone well-known in her community and able to survive the convention contest against voucher supporter Neuenschwander. While the election is about much more than just vouchers, the pro- and anti-voucher antagonists are playing out last year's battle in this South Davis/north Salt Lake City district.

And another element is in play. In the last several years, independent surgical and medical centers have jumped into politics through campaign contributions and lobbyists. Representatives of this industry are aggressively engaged to protect their livelihoods in the health-care reform process. Other stakeholders in health care (insurance companies, hospitals, etc.) are concerned about their increasing influence. This year, independent surgical centers raised the ante and fielded candidates directly tied to their industry.

Francis Gibson, vice president of the Utah Ambulatory Surgical Center Association, knocked off incumbent Aaron Tilton at the Utah County convention. Edwards is connected to a Bountiful surgical center through marriage. Consequently, insurance and hospital companies have an interest in the outcome. Many eyes are watching this spirited struggle.

House District 54: Incumbent Gordon Snow is retiring and leaving the seat open. Although this district encompasses Wasatch and Duchesne counties, for generations the representative was elected from the Uinta Basin. But over the last several years, Wasatch County's population has grown dramatically. David Labrum from Roosevelt has history on his side, but Kraig Powell may have enough fellow Wasatch County neighbors to finally tip the scales. Analysts believe this race will signal demographic changes in eastern Utah.

New Jordan East School District seat No. 3: Numerous candidates are vying for board positions in this new school district created in the controversial Jordan School District split. Among the contenders is Teresa Curtis, wife of House Speaker Greg Curtis. Curtis is accomplished in her own right — an experienced and educated registered nurse. Legislative spouses have sought school board positions in the past, most recently Sara Urquhart, wife of St. George Rep. Steve Urquhart (and GOP nominee for the state Senate to replace retiring Bill Hickman).

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