Filing Period For 2008 General Election Begins

Mar 07, 2008 by Jeff Robinson

(KCPW News) Today is the start of the ten-day filing period for state and county offices up for re-election this year. Utah Democratic Party Chairman Wayne Holland expects his party to make gains.  He says Republicans on Capitol Hill were timid during this year's legislative session because it's an election year.

"I think you see some of what happened in this session was a real chilling of their basic instincts to go after some of the extremist ideas like toll roads and privatizing education," said Holland. "With the election coming up, they've minded their Ps and Qs quite a bit better."

Although 40-year veteran of the Utah legislature Senator Mike Dmitrich is not running for re-election, Holland is confident that current House Minority Leader Brad King will keep the seat for the Democrats in Price. King confirmed he does intend to run for the seat. Meanwhile, three or four democrats are interested in running for Senator Chris Buttars' seat in West Jordan, while Jay Seegmiller will again challenge House Speaker Greg Curtis, after losing to him by only 20 votes in 2006.

"There's no doubt it's a time of opportunity for us because the people of Utah have really had enough," said Holland.

Next week, we will talk with the Republican party about their candidates for this election. You can look at which candidates have already filed online.  Also check out Republican strategy for the 2008 election.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom and 2008 Legislative Coverage. Copyright 2008 KCPW