Kelly Atkinson says he's "pulled the load" for the state Democratic Party for 20 years, 10 years tugging for Democratic ideals in the Utah House of Representatives.
That gives him the moral ground, maybe even the right, says Atkinson, to ask state Democratic delegates in Saturday's convention to give him the 2nd Congressional District nomination outright, avoiding a primary with fellow Democrat Ross Anderson."There are a number of differences between (Anderson) and I, but the biggest is electability," says Atkinson, 45, who is the minority whip in the House representing his West Jordan district.
Atkinson refused to talk about any problems Anderson may have in the final election. "I've never run a negative (political) campaign in five elections and I don't want to start now. No, that isn't needed. Just look at the 2nd District and it is clear."
Well, maybe. But for those who are not political operatives, Atkinson gives this interpretation: "The 2nd District is a swing district overall. But much of the area is not. What is really the swing area is West Jordan, my home. I've proven I can talk to people, put together a Democratic victory among liberal Republicans, Democrats and independents."
Atkinson says he's studied the 2nd District for 10 years, concentrating on the district in the 1992 and 1994 elections after re-ap-portion-ment.
"The east side of Salt Lake City, the east bench all the way to Draper, wrapping around Bluffdale into Riverton and South Jordan - these are Republican areas. The downtown city, down the middle of the valley through Murray, Midvale and so on are Democratic areas. And the key, the real key, is West Jordan - and there I am." He says former Democratic Rep. Karen Shepherd won West Jordan in 1992 and won the race. In 1994 Shepherd lost West Jordan and lost the seat to Republican Enid Greene.
"This race, whether I win (the Democratic nomination) or not comes through West Jordan. That's what I'm telling every delegate I can talk to," says Atkinson. He'll need 60 percent of the 2nd District delegates come Saturday to eliminate Anderson. "I think we're close, real close. But you never know what can happen in a convention."
And what can happen Saturday is that some strong backers of Anderson could rally enough support to deny Atkinson the nomination and force a June 25 primary.
Atkinson lists some of the differences he has with Anderson:
- The death penalty. "He's against it. I'm for it."
Anderson told the Deseret News that no one except the press has inquired about his stand on the death penalty. "This again speaks to electability and experience," says Atkinson. "I know, if Ross doesn't, that the Republicans are going to exploit (that) weakness and monopolize on it" should Anderson be the nominee.
"Ninety percent of Utahns support the death penalty; Republicans are going to ignore that?"
- Balanced budget amendment. Anderson is for it, Atkinson against it.
"I'm the only candidate, Republican or Democrat, in this race that has actually balanced a public budget. It is not the same as balancing your checkbook or making your business balance." Balancing the budget faster than seven years "will cause great hardship" among certain groups of needy people, says Atkinson.
- Equal rights. Here is a touchy subject for Atkinson, who says Anderson has called him a liar on his votes on the gay/lesbian student club issue and Anderson supporters - mainly Gay and Lesbian Utah Democrats - have misconstrued Atkinson's record.
Atkinson says he voted for the original bill aimed at curtailing gay and lesbian clubs mainly because it wouldn't have curtailed any clubs. "That bill talked about teachers not promoting illegal activities, in or out of the classroom. Hey, any teacher who did that before could be fired. That bill did not do what the sponsors wanted."
Atkinson said he voted against the special session bill because it did seek to outlaw specific student clubs, and he's opposed to singling out any group for special treatment.
He wants troubled teenagers, struggling with their sexuality, to get help. But to keep it out of an officially sanctioned student club, Atkinson wants such sensitive issues dealt with like religion is handled now: Give the students release time to attend a structured, adult-supervised group with their parent's permission. "It has worked well (for LDS seminary and other religious release time) and it can work here, also."
As a child, Atkinson suffered from a speech impediment and "very low self-esteem. In fact, I thought I was stupid and was getting Cs and Ds in school." But a 6th-grade teacher took him under his wing and changed his life.
"My mind raced ahead and I stumbled over words. My parents were divorced, my mother working two jobs. I got myself off to school, and I didn't comb my hair, didn't brush my teeth, wore yesterday's clothes. The kids called me "smelly Kelly.' "
His teacher, Mr. Graybill, had him bring his clothes to school, washed the clothes, bought him a toothbrush and a comb. "He made me care about school, care about myself."
That's one reason, says Atkinson, he cares so much about public education today and is so hurt that GLUD and other groups are criticizing him now. His vote in favor of the original gay/lesbian student club bill "has been intentionally distorted. Am I homophobic? Absolutely not. I had a gay man call me up at home and ask why I hated him. I said, `What?!' I know what it is like to be made fun of, I know how it is to be rejected and hurt. I would never, never do anything to harm anyone who is troubled or suffering from low self-esteem. I've been there. This (side of politics) makes me sick."