The Utah Republican Party has elected attorney Frank Suitter as its new chairman.
Suitter, 56, had the endorsement of Gov. Mike Leavitt and the four Republicans in the state's congressional delegation for the post being vacated by Stan Parrish's move to the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce.Parrish will assume his new job as chamber president on March 15, leaving Suitter to shepherd the party through a presidential-year election with key contests shaping up in Utah's 2nd and 3rd congressional districts.
Suitter, founder and president of Suitter Axland and Hanson, a Salt Lake law firm, defeated Leo Lines, an administrative assistant to state Rep. John Valentine. The Republican Party Central Committee voted 69-44.
Suitter, who has helped raise $400,000 for party overhead and candidates in the past several years, downplayed his support.