Republican Feud Claims a Casualty
After what has been a bloody behind-the-scenes battle for House Majority Leader, the sitting leader, Jeff Alexander, R-Provo, is dropping out of that race. He may issue a statement later today that he will not seek re-election as majority leader.
Alexander has been somewhat controversial, with a reputation as a tough taskmaster to bring members of the House Republican caucus. So after a special legislative session this year, Rep. David Clark, R-Santa Clara, announced to caucus members that he would run against Alexander for majority leader after the general election in November, when the Legislature picks its new leadership for the next two years.
Alexander had been the water carrier for the banks in their battles against the credit unions over the past few years and was the recipient of generous campaign contributions from bank interests. But after Clark, a Zions Bank employee, said he would challenge Alexander, lobbyists for the banks began touting Clark to Republican
legislators and legislative candidates. Alexander must clearly have felt a stab in the back.
By running for majority leader, Clark also leap-frogs his Washington County colleague, Rep. Stephen Urquhart, R-St. George, who is currently the House Majority Whip. Urquhart was apparently content to sit tight in the No. 3 position and not challenge Alexander, but with Alexander out of the leadership race and Urquhart next in line, watch for Urquhart to jump into the race for majority leader against
Clark, a race between two Washington Countyites.
That leaves a void in leadership from Utah County, which has for a few years enjoyed considerable clout in the House. So who is the next to step up for Happy Valley? Rules Committee Chair Becky Lockhart of Provo, perhaps? Charter school builder Mike Morley of Spanish Fork?
We'll see.
Cheers,
Paul Rolly
Alexander has been somewhat controversial, with a reputation as a tough taskmaster to bring members of the House Republican caucus. So after a special legislative session this year, Rep. David Clark, R-Santa Clara, announced to caucus members that he would run against Alexander for majority leader after the general election in November, when the Legislature picks its new leadership for the next two years.
Alexander had been the water carrier for the banks in their battles against the credit unions over the past few years and was the recipient of generous campaign contributions from bank interests. But after Clark, a Zions Bank employee, said he would challenge Alexander, lobbyists for the banks began touting Clark to Republican
legislators and legislative candidates. Alexander must clearly have felt a stab in the back.
By running for majority leader, Clark also leap-frogs his Washington County colleague, Rep. Stephen Urquhart, R-St. George, who is currently the House Majority Whip. Urquhart was apparently content to sit tight in the No. 3 position and not challenge Alexander, but with Alexander out of the leadership race and Urquhart next in line, watch for Urquhart to jump into the race for majority leader against
Clark, a race between two Washington Countyites.
That leaves a void in leadership from Utah County, which has for a few years enjoyed considerable clout in the House. So who is the next to step up for Happy Valley? Rules Committee Chair Becky Lockhart of Provo, perhaps? Charter school builder Mike Morley of Spanish Fork?
We'll see.
Cheers,
Paul Rolly
10:12 AM
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1 Comments:
That's a damn shame. Alexander is a good man.
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