GOP foes reaching beyond their roots
Meanwhile, Kevin Van Tassel's ties to the Uintah Basin are equally strong. He was born and raised in Tabiona in rural Duchesne County. He's been a rancher, worked in the Uintah Basin oil fields and is currently manager of the Zion's Bank branch in Vernal.
But the Republican primary for the District 26 Senate seat reaches farther than the roots of either candidate. Indeed, the campaign has been a learning experience for both as they have had to reach out to potential constituents in a district that spans Duchesne, Uintah, Wasatch, Summit, Wasatch and a small portion of Grand County.
While Ure, a 14-year veteran of the state Legislature representing Wasatch and Summit county residents, is educating himself on the Uintah Basin's oil and gas issues, Van Tassel, who has never held an elective office, is learning about Summit County's tourism industry.
"I've learned a lot," Ure said his campaigning in the Uintah Basin. "Still, the number one question people ask me, is 'where do you live? If you are elected are you going to forget us?' "
However, Van Tassel's had to convince voters outside of the Basin that he'll represent their interests as well, if elected.
"I'll be accessible to those (constituents) as we do everything we need to do," he said. "I drive through the whole district, clear to the top of Parleys."
Van Tassel has a 25-year career in finance. He also has as a strong background in agriculture, gained from growing up on a ranch in Tabiona in rural Duchesne County and ranching for several years as an adult. Three years of employment in the oil field gives him first-hand experience and insight into that facet of the economy of the Uintah Basin.
Ure also has deep rural roots. He said his experience in the state House of Representatives has given him greater familiarity with the issues facing the district.
Van Tassel maintains he has his own connections with state lawmakers, which have given him added insight and will allow him to "hit the ground running" if elected.
"I have been endorsed by the president of the Senate as well as rural legislators in House leadership," says Van Tassel. "With these relationships, I can . . . fight for the issues that impact the lives of every citizen in our community."
One of the issues that could put the Senator from District 26 on the hot seat among his counterparts in the Legislature are calls from Duchesne and Uintah County commissioners to have a portion of the millions in severance-tax revenue, which currently goes directly into the state general budget, returned to the county of origin.
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