The stage was set Friday for several interesting political match-ups as the filing period for those interested in running for office came to a close.
Francis Democrat KayCee Simpson entered the race for Summit County Council seat E. Simpson faces Republican Councilman David Ure, who filed for a second term.
“I noticed that [Ure] was unopposed so I decided at the last minute to run . I want to make sure that we have both sides seen and heard for both parties,” Simpson said in a telephone interview Friday. “I think I do have an opportunity of taking advantage of being a Democrat in our county and a lot of people know both of us. I hope that I represent the party well.”
Ure was not immediately available to comment.
Meanwhile, a candidate on the last day of the filing window also withdrew from the sheriff race, which has drawn more public attention in Summit County than most other political contests on the ballot this year.
Summit County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Alan Siddoway, a Democrat, officially quit the race Friday morning. Siddoway was not immediately available to comment.
Siddoway’s withdrawal left Francis resident Dax Shane as the lone Democrat in the sheriff contest.
South Summit Republican Kris Hendricksen has also challenged Republican Summit County Sheriff Dave Edmunds, who is seeking his third term in office.
Because of health concerns Summit County Democratic Party Chairman Glenn Wright said Siddoway decided to withdraw from the race.
“I’m sorry to see him go. He was going to be a very viable candidate,” Wright said. “Dax Shane has some significant experience and he’ll put up a forceful race against Dave Edmunds.”
A Democrat did not sign up this week to take on Republican Summit County Attorney David Brickey. Brickey did not have a challenger on Friday.
But Republican candidates are vying for other positions in the County Courthouse that Democrats have dominated for several years.
“We’re not getting better, we’re getting worse in Summit County,” Summit County Republican Party Chairman Henry Glasheen said. “We need to start getting better.”
County races on the ballot this year include assessor, auditor, attorney, clerk, recorder, sheriff and treasurer. Glasheen filed as a Republican candidate for treasurer. Republican Richard Motto registered in the clerk race and Republican Robert Hunt filed as a candidate for assessor.
Democratic Summit County Councilman Chris Robinson faces a challenge from Gary Shumway, a member of the Constitution Party. Summit County Clerk Kent Jones, a Democrat, and Summit County Auditor Blake Frazier, a Democrat, are each seeking another term. Democratic Summit County Recorder Alan Spriggs also filed as candidate.
Democrat Steve Martin filed in the assessor race and Democrats Corrie Kirklen and Tyler Rowser are candidates for treasurer.
The state races are governor, lieutenant governor, Senate District 26 and House Districts 25 and 53. The candidates on Friday for governor included Republicans Richard Martin, “Superdell” Schanze, Peter Corroon, Gary Herbert and W. Andrew McCullough.
State Sen. Kevin Van Tassell, a Republican who represents District 26, filed for another term. In the race for House District 25, Republicans Janice Clemmer and Rick Raile have filed. Democrats John Netto, Joel Briscoe and Anthony C. Kaye also filed as candidates for District 25. State Rep. Mel Brown, a Coalville Republican who represents District 53, filed for another term. Republican Jon Hellander and Democrat Glenn Wright also filed for District 53.
Federal offices on the ballot include seats in the U.S. Senate and Utah’s 1st Congressional District.
Candidates for two seats on the Park City Board of Education include Michael Boyle who filed for another term in District 5. Charles Cunningham and Ari Ioannides filed in District 4 in the Park City area. Steven Hardman and Philip Marchant filed in the race for District 4 on the South Summit Board of Education and Matt Flinders filed for District 5 in the Kamas area. In the North Summit School District, Michael Calderwood and Sheldon Smith filed for District 4. Vern Williams and Lane Wardrop filed for District 5. Candidates for school board must live in the districts they intend to represent.
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