Wasatch County Democrats packed the Wasatch Fire District community room on Wednesday to hear from candidates looking to make a change for constituents.
Democratic Party Treasurer Pat Kohler and her husband, Rudi, said the positive, charged energy was similar to 2016, when U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders made his bid for the presidential nomination. On Wednesday, Wasatch County Democrats crowded the room, buzzing with excitement and filling every chair.
Candidates for Congress, State House District 59, County Council and county attorney stepped up to speak in turn.
For Lauren Forsyth, who is running for county attorney against Wasatch County Deputy Attorney Jon Woodard, a Republican, her campaign in itself is history in the making. Forsyth said there has been no recent challenger for county attorney. If elected, Forsyth will be the first woman county attorney in Wasatch County.
Forsyth is currently an attorney at Midway’s Old Town Legal Services, where she helps clients with a variety of legal issues. She said she hopes to initiate a change in the Wasatch County Attorney’s Office and cited a desire to provide improved victim services.
“I’m excited to feel the energy of everybody here and get people revved up for what I believe will be a changing of the guard for Wasatch County attorney,” Forsyth said. “People are going to have an actual choice (between candidates), and I think that’s really necessary in an election.”
The “boys club” needs a fresh perspective, and Forsyth said she is the candidate to make that happen.
“I’m going to help the victims that actually need it and communicate with them and maximize our resources to help the families that need it,” Forsyth said. “And I’m going to prosecute some very serious crimes.”
Patrick Saucier, the sole Democratic candidate for Wasatch County Council at-large Seat A, said he was encouraged by the nominating convention turnout. Saucier said he was not surprised to see the positivity in the room. He referenced a Utah Democratic Party Facebook post claiming that Wasatch County is among the top 20 counties in the nation shifting political allegiances from Republican to Democrat.
“The current Republican platform has put the voters in a precarious position of having to choose between ongoing growth and a Democrat,” Saucier said.
William (Brett) Vance, who earned more votes than Steve Farrell at the Wasatch County Republican Party convention on Tuesday, and Rachel Kahler are also vying for the at-large seat as Republicans.
Saucier said that he has learned there is “no winning message” when it comes to voters. Instead, he hopes to listen to the voters and understand their need for change.
“I don’t want to assume. I want to actually do my best to earn the vote and the representation of the people in this room,” Saucier said.
Saucier began attending Wasatch County Council meetings more seriously after Minnesotans Renée Good and Alex Pretti were shot and killed by federal law enforcement officers in January. Their deaths made Saucier wonder what would happen in Wasatch County if similar acts of violence occurred in the area. Then, Saucier decided he wanted to step up, run for County Council and enact change himself.
Joe Tugaw, a candidate for County Council Seat F, did not attend Wednesday’s nominating convention. He is running against Republican Michael Murphy for the seat. Wasatch County Councilor Karl McMillan recently withdrew from the race and resigned from his role, citing major health issues. Bruce Zollinger also withdrew his candidacy.
Precinct chair Ted Clayton from Hideout said he wanted to attend Wednesday’s convention to become more active in his community’s political processes.
“I would like to be part of change,” Clayton said.
Having a Democrat in office at any level in Wasatch County, he said, would prompt better representation of the area.
Susan Cordone became a delegate to represent her fellow residents. At the caucus, Cordone and her husband were the only two at their table.
“I showed up because I have interest in being part of the process for improving our lives here in some way, shape or form,” Cordone said. “It’s become the time where I ended up realizing that I need to pay more attention to what’s happening.”
Cordone said she believes this year is the Democrats’ year to make a difference.
Democratic Party Chair Michelle Mallery said in her introduction that Wasatch County is a district “that’s not supposed to be touchable.” She echoed Cordone’s assertion.
“We can make a difference this year,” Mallery said. “We can do it. It’s not just a pipe dream.”
Forsyth, Saucier and Tugaw are the three Democratic candidates running for county-level seats. They have all been endorsed by the Wasatch County Democratic Party. Micah Kagan and former Midway Mayor Celeste Johnson are two Democratic candidates running for State House District 59. Their nominations will be decided at the state convention on April 24 and 25.