For the party faithful, Wednesday night's Utah County Republican Party Convention had a little bit of everything: balloons, fireworks, speeches, debate, accolades from state party leaders, winners and losers.
"It's been a good convention," said convention Chairman Steve Shallenberger as business and vote-tallying wound down shortly before midnight."We are getting lots of strong candidates. I believe the party would be proud to be represented by any of our candidates. There was a lot of energy and enthusiasm here. I'm pleased."
Candidates eliminated from contested races and some who must face primaries, however, weren't quite as happy as Shallenberger.
Deputy Utah County Attorney Kay Bryson, who had hoped to avoid a primary election by mustering 70 percent of the delegate vote, came up short with 65 percent in the race for county attorney. He will square off this fall against second-place finisher Wayne Watson, a former deputy county attorney.
Eliminated from the county attorney race were Dean W. Payne, George E. Brown and Don R. Strong.
Incumbent County Commissioner Malcolm Beck found the going a little rougher than many had predicted in his re-election bid for the commission's "A" seat. Beck, with 373 delegate votes, finished second to Lehi resident Von R. Brockbank, a strong advocate of clean air and protection of water supplies who received 380 votes. Beck and Brockbank will face each other in a primary election.
Commission hopefuls Mike Davis and R.L. Bob Wright were eliminated from the race.
In the race for the commission's "B" seat being vacated by Commissioner Sid Sandberg, Richard Johnson, Benjamin, and Kevin Steadman, Salem, emerged as the top candidates. They received 248 and 246 votes, respectively.
Daryl Tucker, Mel Hudman, Michael Stansfield and Keith Haslem were eliminated.
No primary will be needed in the race for county recorder, as incumbent Nina Reid garnered 977 votes to challenger O. Paul Stevensen's 86 votes. No primary will be required either for the House District 65 seat, as J. Brent Haymond received 72 percent to edge out H. Keith Haines.
House District 60 candidate Norm Nielsen surprised incumbent Rep. Pat Nix with 59 percent of the vote, necessitating a primary election between the two. House District 63 candidate Jordan Tanner, meanwhile, received 66 percent of the delegate vote and will face challenger James Calder again in a primary.
In the race for House District 62, Jeff Alexander, 81 votes, and Gregory Hadley, 30 votes, will square off again, while Don R. Peterson was eliminated from the race with only 25 votes.
The convention drew about 1,000 of the county's 1,200 GOP delegates and nearly 1,500 party members.
"We just want to say thank you for all the work you do," Gov. Norm Bangerter said at the convention's outset.
Bangerter credited Utah County with leading the way in the state's economic recovery, plugged education and decried the movement to remove the state sales tax on food. And he thanked the county for helping him get re-elected.
Sens. Jake Garn and Orrin Hatch also thanked local GOP members for their work and support.
"I want you to know you make a difference in this state . . . and therefore throughout the world," Hatch said. He and Garn praised the efforts of outgoing Rep. Howard Nielson, R-Utah, and said it's important that a Republican be elected to replace him.
Delegates also heard from the six GOP contenders hoping to replace Nielson _ Brent Morris, John Harmer, Steve Densley, Karl Snow, Richard Harrington and Dean Bristow.