For a while there, it looked like the Democratic uprising in Salt Lake County was going to be breathtakingly successful. Sen. Chris Buttars, House Speaker Greg Curtis and Rep. Greg Hughes were all on the ropes.

But by this morning, homophobic Buttars, famous for his "black baby" statement, and Hughes, who recently survived an ethics probe, had eked out narrow victories.

Say what you will about October surprises and Machiavellian maneuvering, you've got to hand it to the once-moribund Democrats for not only scaring the poop out of Republicans throughout the state — but actually deposing Speaker Curtis, he of the soccer stadium and countless other backroom deals.

Democrat Trish Beck also blocked former Rep. LaVar Christensen from regaining his House seat — which must have honked off God, who, says LaVar, encouraged him to run.

For professional reasons, I'm sorry about Speaker Curtis. In a state house overflowing with mealy mouthed, unctuous personalities, the Speaker would give it to a reporter straight (that's not the same as true — but at least it was a quote you could use).

A couple years ago, I was treated to the Speaker's extensive vocabulary in front of several stunned lawmakers. The Tribune had printed an editorial accusing Curtis of using his position as speaker to benefit one of his company's real estate clients.

Curtis was enraged and he drafted me as a stand in for the Trib's editorial board. His dexterity with earthy language would have inspired awe in a Hell's Angel. He dismissed my suggestion he write a letter to the editor with an apt Merchant Marine proverb about having sexual intercourse with one's neighbor's cocker spaniel.

I'll miss him.