Stressing his experience as a prosecutor and trial lawyer, Iron County Attorney Scott Burns is running for attorney general.
"My philosophy as a prosecutor and a supporter of law enforcement is going to be the thrust of my campaign," Burns said. "I believe the attorney general should be a prosecutor.Burns is the second Republican in the race. Michael Deamer, a Salt Lake City attorney who served as chief deputy under former GOP Attorney General Robert Hansen, has been campaigning for months.
The only Democrat so far seeking to replace Attorney General Paul Van Dam is his solicitor general, Jan Graham. Van Dam decided earlier this year not to seek a second term.
Former 3rd District Judge Scott Daniels, also a Democrat, is expected to announce his candidacy next week. Van Dam, himself the only Democrat to hold statewide office, already has endorsed Graham.
Burns described himself as a conservative on criminal justice issues. "It means I am an aggressive prosecutor," he said. "I've prosecuted everything from speeding tickets all the way to murder cases."
He said he decided to run based on encouragement and support from the state's law enforcement community as well as leaders in the legal community.
Burns said he would "feel comfortable" defending Utah's controversial law banning most abortions. "I think it's a very personal issue. I don't think it's an issue that the attorney general should have a position on."
Although he said Van Dam has done "an admirable job" as a prosecutor, Burns questioned the attorney general's decision to hire outside counsel to defend the abortion law.
"Taxpayers could have been saved hundreds of thousands of dollars" if the attorney general office's had handled the defense, Burns said. "I think the office is fully equipped to handle that type of case."
Burns said the main issue in the campaign may be which candidate is best qualified. "I don't know if there are going to be a lot of issues," he said. "It's an office where the issues come while you're there."
He said he will continue to serve as the Iron County attorney, taking trips to the Wasatch Front and other areas of the state as needed. "If anything suffers, it will be my ability to campaign," Burns said.
Before before elected county attorney 51/2 years ago, Burns was in private practice in Cedar City with his wife, Alice Ritter Burns. She is currently the Cedar City attorney.
A Cedar City native, Burns graduated from Southern Utah State College (now Southern Utah University) with a dual major in political science and English. He earned his law degree from the California Western School of Law in San Diego.
Burns, 34, and his wife have a 14-month-old daughter, Carly. His father is retired District Court Judge J. Harlan Burns.