Cutting and Running?
Here is an interesting twist in this election season.
Sen. Howard Stephenson, one of the more conservative members of the Senate's Republican caucus and a leader in the fight to prevent public employees from automatically deducting contributions to their political PAC because he feels it favors Democratic candidates, is helping a Democrat in the Senate District 18 race in Ogden.
Stuart Reid, the Democrat, is running against Ogden Police Chief John Greiner, the Republican, in an open seat made vacant by Republican incumbent Dave Thomas not seeking re-election.
Legislative election insiders say Stephenson is helping Reid, who years ago touted himself as a conservative Democrat. Reid served on the Salt Lake City Council, ran for Salt Lake City mayor, then took a job as economic development director for conservative Ogden Mayor Matt Godfrey.
At that time, Reid nearly followed in the footsteps of other conservative Democrats, most notably Rich McKeown, who switched to the Republican Party. But in Reid's case, he moved over to the "independent" column, not being able to completely convert to the GOP.
Earlier this year, though, Reid re-embraced his Democratic label to carry that party's banner in the Senate race.
The reason for Stephenson's heresy, reportedly, is that Reid is the candidate in the race who supports tuition tax credits or vouchers for parents who put their children in private schools, an issue dear to Stephenson's heart.
Whether Stephenson's conservative clout in a district 50 miles away from his home turf in Draper remains to be seen. The district is considered pretty much of a swing district, although the Republicans have prevailed of late.
Cheers,
Paul Rolly
Sen. Howard Stephenson, one of the more conservative members of the Senate's Republican caucus and a leader in the fight to prevent public employees from automatically deducting contributions to their political PAC because he feels it favors Democratic candidates, is helping a Democrat in the Senate District 18 race in Ogden.
Stuart Reid, the Democrat, is running against Ogden Police Chief John Greiner, the Republican, in an open seat made vacant by Republican incumbent Dave Thomas not seeking re-election.
Legislative election insiders say Stephenson is helping Reid, who years ago touted himself as a conservative Democrat. Reid served on the Salt Lake City Council, ran for Salt Lake City mayor, then took a job as economic development director for conservative Ogden Mayor Matt Godfrey.
At that time, Reid nearly followed in the footsteps of other conservative Democrats, most notably Rich McKeown, who switched to the Republican Party. But in Reid's case, he moved over to the "independent" column, not being able to completely convert to the GOP.
Earlier this year, though, Reid re-embraced his Democratic label to carry that party's banner in the Senate race.
The reason for Stephenson's heresy, reportedly, is that Reid is the candidate in the race who supports tuition tax credits or vouchers for parents who put their children in private schools, an issue dear to Stephenson's heart.
Whether Stephenson's conservative clout in a district 50 miles away from his home turf in Draper remains to be seen. The district is considered pretty much of a swing district, although the Republicans have prevailed of late.
Cheers,
Paul Rolly
3:51 PM
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1 Comments:
I don't know if you were aware but the seat was not vacant. Greiner beat Dave Thomas in the Republican Primary
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