Valdez Files for Lt. Governor

May 12, 2008 by Jeff Robinson

(KCPW News) Beginning what the Utah Democratic Party calls a historic candidacy, party nominee Josie Valdez filed to run for Lieutenant Governor this morning, joining Bob Springmeyer's ticket. The Latina candidate says people of all different races will be important voters this election year.

"We will have all people of color become excited," she said. "I've been a board member of the NAACP. I've been involved in our Pacific Island community. I've been involved and supportive of our Native American community. Now, we are going to band together and together, we're going to have a strong voice."

Valdez worked for the U.S. Small Business Administration for 23 years. She says she would be a voice for small business owners and laborers.

"These people are the ones who make up our Utah, and they're often forgotten or not heard," said Valdez. "I want to be a voice for that population and that group of people."

The candidate is married to Democratic Representative Mark Archuleta-Wheatley, who's running for re-election this year to represent Murray. She was introduced as Springmeyer's running mate at the state party convention on Saturday.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom and Election 2008. Copyright 2008 KCPW