With approval ratings above 80 percent and re-election to a second term an almost certainty, it begs the question who would even want to run against GOP Gov. Mike Leavitt.
Actually, voters will have the chance to cast ballots for three gubernatorial candidates other than Leavitt or Democratic challenger Jim Bradley, himself a long shot. Dub Richards is the Independent Party candidate, Ken Larsen the Independent American candidate, and Robert C. Lesh is the Natural Law candidate.All three third-party candidates agree they face a Don Quixotian challenge. But they say they are not in it to win, but rather to generate public support for alternative ideas and solutions to the state's problems.
"I would consider it a victory if people began to look at politics differently," Lesh said. "We want to look at problems from a different angle, to consider the questions differently. That would be a success, moving out of the old paradigm."
"If I get a dozen converts to my philosophy, I will have won," Larsen said.
"The main thing is to offer solutions," Richards said.
It is that kind of attitude that keeps third parties viable in a political world dominated by Republicans and Democrats. All three candidates are disillusioned with major party politics. All believe they have better solutions to the state's problems, and all prefer to see their campaigns as a forum of ideas, not so much a contest to see who can get elected.
"Third parties don't win many seats, but they have brought about many of the major reforms our country has seen from women's suffrage to the abolition of slavery," Lesh said.
Natural Law Party
Robert C. Lesh, a radio talk show host, was approached by the Natural Law Party to run for governor after he interviewed the party's presidential candidate on the radio. He was enamoured with the party's approach to politics that emphasizes preventing problems.
Like implementing health-care programs designed to prevent illnesses rather than treating the illnesses after they occur. And treating the symptoms cause individuals to engage in crime.
"It's about implementing programs that are proven to work," he said. "It's about empowering individuals to solve their own problems."
Lesh, 50, maove to Utah 13 years ago. He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Oakland University in Michigan, and he has done graduate work at the University of Colorado. He is a single parent with one son attending Olympus High School.
Lesh's running mate is William Scott Shields, a businessman with 20 years experience who says the so-called experts in public office have done very little to improve the quality of life, and that "responsible, intelligent, ordinary citizens can do a better job of addressing today's problems."
Independent American Party
Ken Larsen, who looks and dresses like Brigham Young, won the Independent American Party nomination by campaigning on a return to constitutional principles."
"We must look at fundamental principles and return to a restricted, simple government and let people run their own lives," Larsen said. "Rights come from God, and authority (to govern) comes from the people. We have lost sight of those fundamental principles."
Larsen said there is no constitutional authority to restrict the right of people to bear arms or to smoke marijuana or to have their property taken by redevelopment agencies or for government to spend money on the Olympics.
"The state budget is up 52 percent under the Leavitt administration. If I can just undo what he has done I will have done the people a great favor," he said.
Larsen is famous for making public speeches with chains draped around his neck. The loop on the right, he says represents conservatives who want to control people's behavior, while the loop on the left represents liberals who whant to control your property. "But it's all one chain," he said. "It's a con game. We get more government no matter which one gets elected."
Larsen was born and reared in Provo and received a doctorate degree in biology from Brigham Young University. He is now an adjunct professor at the University of Utah and is self-employed as a medical research consultant. He is divorced with five children and seven grandchildren.
His running mate is LaMont Harris, who is campaigning on a return to Christian principles wherein people are taught correct principles and are free to choose for themselves.
Independent Pary
Dub Richards, a former Republican now representing the Independent Party, is campaigning for real solutions to problems, not the lip service the major party candidates offer.
"I am disappointed that the present administration waited four years to offer solutions to transportation problems, and that those solutions are poor," he said. "It's the same with reducing crime. They have offered little or nothing in the way of real solutions.
Richards decided to run for governor when Leavitt refused to take a stand on the controversial issue of mandatory sentences for child molesters. "If it is controversial, he (Leavitt) refuses to take a stand, and consequently nothing gets done," Richards said.
"You can't move ahead without stepping on some toes. And he doesn't want to step on any toes."
Richards, 39, ran as a Republican candidate for governor four years ago on a platform of returning more power to the states. He claims Leavitt later latched onto that campaign issue, even lifting statements from Richards' position papers.
"I was surprised, but I thought if would really implement the programs then I had gotten the word out," he said. "But it was all lip service. He has not done one thing to bring power back to the state."
Prior to that campaign, he was a Republican candidate for the House seat in the Magna area. But he was critically injured in a traffic accident that left him a paraplegic and unable to finish the campaign (he still finished with a third of the votes cast). He has also served on the Magna Community Council and on the board for Utah Citizens Alliance and the Forthright Foundation.
He has an associate degree from Utah Technical College and operates his own private investigation business. He has been active in Utah politics for 10 years.
His running mate is Ed Little, a retired teacher and former executive director of the Independent Party who is advocating a return to constitutional principles. And he is emphasizing the failures of major-party officeholders.
"Has the immoral tax on food been removed?" Little asked, "Has the disgrace of Family Services been rectified? Is there a state ombudsman to help individuals with government red tape? Have school fees been eliminated?"