PROVO -- Hoping to rally Democrats in Utah's most Republican regions, Democratic party leaders have announced a plan to open a headquarters in downtown Provo.
It's been at least 25 years since Utah County Democrats have had an office to coordinate business, recruitment efforts and political strategies, said Nancy Jane Woodside, chairwoman of the county party."Democrats are on the move and organizing to target 2000," said Woodside.
She is pushing to crack the GOP stronghold on the county's local and state elected offices. Not a sole Democrat was able to wrest one of the 27 partisan posts away from the Republicans in the last election cycle.
Woodside said doors will open Sept. 29 at the headquarters, 164 N. University Ave.
Democrat Donald Dunn, candidate for the 3rd District Congressional seat held by Rep. Chris Cannon will speak at a 7 p.m. dinner that night.
Woodside said the county party's new executive committee "have not stopped once to look over (our) shoulders at what Republicans are doing or thinking."
They vow to line up solid candidates in all races in the next election and attract interest in the party, which was once, albeit long ago, a popular party for the blue-collar workers in the area.
To Woodside, a Yankee transplant, a one-party system is "unhealthy for children and all living things and absolutely too boring."
She says that Democrats in Utah will not win back legislative and county seats without hard work and a fight. But "hard work has never scared any Democrat, and together Democrats will get it done."
Micron executive Stan Lockhart is the Republican Party chairman in Utah County. Lockart seems genuinely glad to see Democrats working hard to bolster the party.
He still believes, though, that voters will remain true to the GOP.
"We find, though, in terms of political philosophy, that Republicans have the platform that people relate to," he said. "I welcome the debate on issues. I think it is healthy for debate. But I don't think we accomplish much by having a two-party system just for a two-party system sake."
Democrats have been busy this summer. They recently held an all-day party bash featuring local bands that attracted an estimated 1,000 people and have entered a float in most of the local parades, including Provo's July 4 Freedom Festival.
Woodside's committee is also stumping for Dunn, who will use the Utah County office during his campaign. Dunn, a University of Utah graduate who worked as an intern in the White House with Monica Lewinsky, resigned as director of public affairs for the U.S. Trade and Development Agency in Washington, D.C., to mount a campaign against Cannon.
The headquarters will remain open Monday through Friday and will be staffed by the party's executive committee, volunteers and student interns. Call 356-0290 for more information or for times to volunteer at the county headquarters.