Democratic Party "Sage" Passes

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Utah Democrats lost a party icon this week, with the passing of former Governor Cal Rampton. Utah State Democratic Party Chair Wayne Holland says Rampton has been the party's sage, offering campaign advice and political insight to candidates.

Rampton was Utah's governor from 1965 to 1977 and presided over what Holland sees as the "Golden Age" of Democrats in Utah. In recent years, Governor Rampton predicted that good times would soon return for Democrats in Utah politics, and pointed often to the popularity of Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon and Congressman Jim Matheson - both democrats.

Rampton's passing comes on the heels of other prominent Democrats J.D. Williams and R.J. Snow. For sage wisdom, Holland says Utah Democrats are likely to rely more now on former first lady of Utah Norma Matheson, who was very involved in her husband's campaigns.

Former Utah Governor Calvin L. Rampton died Sunday night at the age of 93.

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