Republican Candidate Chosen to Temporarily Replace Rep. Mark Walker

Jul 22, 2008 by Jeff Robinson

(KCPW News) One candidate running for the Utah House of Representatives will most likely get to spend the next few months as a legislator, whether he wins in November or not. Brian Monsen was appointed by Salt Lake County Republican delegates last night to temporarily fill former Representative Mark Walker's seat in House District 45. He says he doesn't plan to get comfy in the position.

"It's not like I'm going to be putting pictures up in the office, or creating business cards, or anything like that. I'm focused on the election. My opponent, this is her third time running, so she's got some great name recognition. I'm nobody at this point," he said.

The opponent that Monsen mentioned is Laura Black, who's running for the seat for the third time after losing to Walker by only 18 votes in 2006. She says closing that small gap is primarily about one thing.

"Voter turnout. We've got to work hard to get our young voters out. It will be based on voter turnout, and I think we can do that," said Black.

Monsen's temporary appointment to the House seat still has to be confirmed by the governor. He says he is a different type of candidate than Walker, citing his own experience co-founding Molina Healthcare of Utah. Walker resigned earlier this month.

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