Winners and Losers
It seems the big winner in Tuesday's primary election was Zions Bank, and the banking industry in general.
Kevin VanTassell defeated veteran legislator David Ure in the Republican Primary for eastern Utah's Senate District 26. To underscore the significance of that, Ure has been one of the leading members of the House of Representatives for years. Just a couple of years ago, he came within one vote of being speaker of the House. But VanTassell, a political newcomer, is a Zions Bank employee and was heavily supported by the banks. His employment even became an issue among those worried that Zions is attempting to control the Legislature by getting its own employees elected.
VanTassell, assuming he wins in November (a fair assumption since this traditionally is a Republican district) will become the third Zions full-time employee to enter the Legislature. The others are Reps. Dave Clark and Mark Walker, both Republicans. Additionally, Senate President John Valentine was recently elected to Zions Board of Directors for which he is handsomely compensated.
In Senate District 9's Republican Primary, Wayne Niederhauser defeated Bryson Garbett, a former member of the House. Niederhauser was strongly assisted by lobbyist Rob Jolley, who also is a lobbyist for the banks, and Garbett was endorsed by the credit unions. So you can connect the dots. That race also represents a major setback for House Speaker Greg Curtis, at least to his ego. Curtis was backing his good friend Garbett while former Senate President and outgoing Sen. Al Mansell put his considerable political weight behind Niederhauser. It was a battle of the giants to determine who has the most clout in Sandy and Curtis lost.
Sen. Dave Thomas' GOP primary loss to Jon Greiner in Ogden also was cause for the clinking of non-alcoholic champaign glasses in bank board rooms. Thomas was heavily supported by the credit unions.
And incumbent Republican Rep. Peggy Wallace, who lost in Tuesday's primary, is an employee of a credit union.
Cheers,
Paul Rolly
Kevin VanTassell defeated veteran legislator David Ure in the Republican Primary for eastern Utah's Senate District 26. To underscore the significance of that, Ure has been one of the leading members of the House of Representatives for years. Just a couple of years ago, he came within one vote of being speaker of the House. But VanTassell, a political newcomer, is a Zions Bank employee and was heavily supported by the banks. His employment even became an issue among those worried that Zions is attempting to control the Legislature by getting its own employees elected.
VanTassell, assuming he wins in November (a fair assumption since this traditionally is a Republican district) will become the third Zions full-time employee to enter the Legislature. The others are Reps. Dave Clark and Mark Walker, both Republicans. Additionally, Senate President John Valentine was recently elected to Zions Board of Directors for which he is handsomely compensated.
In Senate District 9's Republican Primary, Wayne Niederhauser defeated Bryson Garbett, a former member of the House. Niederhauser was strongly assisted by lobbyist Rob Jolley, who also is a lobbyist for the banks, and Garbett was endorsed by the credit unions. So you can connect the dots. That race also represents a major setback for House Speaker Greg Curtis, at least to his ego. Curtis was backing his good friend Garbett while former Senate President and outgoing Sen. Al Mansell put his considerable political weight behind Niederhauser. It was a battle of the giants to determine who has the most clout in Sandy and Curtis lost.
Sen. Dave Thomas' GOP primary loss to Jon Greiner in Ogden also was cause for the clinking of non-alcoholic champaign glasses in bank board rooms. Thomas was heavily supported by the credit unions.
And incumbent Republican Rep. Peggy Wallace, who lost in Tuesday's primary, is an employee of a credit union.
Cheers,
Paul Rolly
3:49 PM
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