Salt Lake County Commissioner Mike Stewart formally announced his candidacy for governor Monday, repeating one of the themes of his campaign - he's not promising what he'll do; look at his record and see what he's done.
"Of all the candidates who are in (the race), and even those who may jump in, I'm the only one who has done it - come up with the new ideas (in government) and implemented them," Stewart, a Republican, said in a brief speech before supporters on the Capitol steps.Stewart also released a poll he conducted that shows, he said, that he does better than Democratic candidate Stewart Hanson, is close to Republican Richard Eyre and defeats GOP candidates Mike Leavitt and Dixie Minson handily.
Stewart, who is known for his fine singing voice, said he will now travel the state, "singing - literally singing - the praises of Utah and my candidacy."
He said he'll stay in the homes of supporters, showing his concern for their lives and learning more than if he stayed in motels.
Stewart points with pride to the management of Salt Lake County government, which he says operates on the second-largest public budget in the state:
- Until this year under a Democratic-controlled budget that he opposed, there's been no property tax increase in six years.
- The county has won 70 awards in recent years, all while trimming hundreds of county workers and serving 160,000 more citizens.
- Salt Lake County is one of 27 counties out of 3,200 counties in the nation with an AAA bond rating - the highest. Such a high bond rating has saved county taxpayers millions of dollars in interest.
- The county has a 14,000-strong volunteer program that's the envy of governments around the country.
Stewart said if elected, he'd tie public education to economic development - "twins who go together." He'd ensure open access by residents to Utah's public colleges and universities.
He wants students to advance from one grade to the next only after proving competency.
Of the candidates, Stewart said only he has worked within government to strengthen families "both in Utah and (as a national officer in a county association) across the nation."
"There are a lot of speeches in the air these days (by other candidates), and a lot of air in those speeches. I won't make a lot of promises to you. I've done it. And I'll do it again."