Workman getting lots of political support
The former Salt Lake County mayor, who was acquitted this year on charges of misuse of public money, is now considering plunging back into county politics in a race to be county clerk.
But Workman is quick to add she is still just thinking about it. She is on the verge of opening a contracting business and is not sure she wants to get back into what she calls the "nasty business" of politics.
"I haven't even really given it a serious thought as to whether that's the right thing to do or not," said Workman, who stepped aside as mayor in September 2004 during an investigation and cited medical reasons for not running for re-election. "It just came up off-handedly, and that's not a good reason to run. It should be something that you've got a passion about."
The thought of making the foray back into politics hadn't even occurred to the former Salt Lake County mayor until several friends threw out the idea.
Although Workman said she's still simply pondering the idea, a barrage of phone calls Friday from friends pledging support made the political re-entry more enticing.
The positive response of friends and former political allies who got wind of a possible comeback shocked her, Workman said. She noted she had her doubts that people would accept her back as a politician even after being acquitted.
"It's just heartwarming, the number of people that come up to me and the great things they say," she said. "They felt I got a raw deal, and they're just encouraging."
Workman added that having a Republican in the clerk's position, which is now held by Democrat Sherrie Swensen, could give the county's GOP an advantage in the elections by putting the Republican nominee first on the ballot.
James Evans, chairman of the Salt Lake County Republican Party, said putting a Republican in the clerk spot is one of his top priorities, although he isn't sure if Workman will be the one up for the office.
"The county clerk's office is certainly one of our targeted races because the clerk's office for 16 years has given preferential treatment to the Democrats," Evans said.
As Workman ponders her political comeback, her former defense attorney, Greg Skordas, is also looking to leap into county politics via the District Attorney's Office. Representing Workman pitted Democrat Skordas against friend and District Attorney David Yocom, for whom he had worked as chief deputy until 1994.
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