On Utah's political landscape, there are pockets in which one party tends to dominate representation in the state House and Senate.
Weber County is not one of them. In this election season, the balance of power between Republicans and Democrats is teetering in the districts in and around Ogden.
Both Senate seats and at least four of the seven House districts up for election in Weber County could change parties on Nov. 7, according to Rob Bishop, chairman of the Utah Republican Party, and Todd Taylor, executive director of the Utah Democratic Party.
Currently, Republicans hold a 54-21 majority in the 75-member House and an 18-11 majority in the 29-member Senate. Taylor admits it's not likely Democrats can pick up 17 seats in November and take control of the House. But Democrats do hope for a four-seat gain in the Senate. If they can do it, they would have a Senate majority for the first time since 1978.
For that to happen, the Democrats likely must win the two Weber area Senate districts.
Questionnaires from the Deseret News were mailed to each candidate, and information from those who chose to respond was used in compiling this report.
Senate District 19 (North Ogden, Morgan County): This is a true swing district and perhaps the Democrats' best chance to gain a Republican seat.
GOP Sen. Robert Montgomery has retired and former Democratic House leader Grant Protzman, who lost to Montgomery four years ago, is trying again.
Protzman's opponent is Rep. Dave Gladwell, R-North Ogden. This may be one of the most expensive Senate races this year, with both state parties kicking in money. "Protzman does it this year. We win," Taylor predicted.
Protzman, often a critic of the Republicans while in the Utah House, is not a favorite of Bishop, who was speaker when Protzman was in the minority.
"Protzman lost badly four years ago. He won't do any better this year. We should be fine," Bishop said.
Protzman lists growth, education and "closed-door decision-making" as the top issues facing the state today and favors phasing out the state sales tax on food. He says his 10 years of experience in the House, which included six as minority leader, are reasons to vote for him. Gladwell served two terms in the House.
Senate District 20 (Roy, Farr West, west Weber County): Sen. Joe Hull, D-Hooper, lost a bid for the county commission several years ago, but has been strong in his legislative races.
However, if the Democrats are not careful here, the seat could swing back into Republican control. "This is a possible pick-up for us," Bishop said, believing Republican Scott Jenkins of Plain City will do well.
Hull lists education, transportation and growth as the top three issues facing the state.
House District 6 (Farr West, Pleasant View, western Weber County): House Speaker Marty Stephens, of Farr West, has few worries.
"This would be hard for us to win," Taylor acknowledged.
William Hart of Harrisville is the Democrat. He lists fiscal responsibility, size of the state bureaucracy and "proper funding for essential programs" as his top concerns.
"I am not better qualified than my opponent to hold this seat," Hart admitted. "But my opponent and the rest of the majority party have a nauseating arrogance."
House District 7 (North Ogden, parts of Ogden): Gladwell vacates this House seat to try for the Senate. Democrats used to hold it.
"We can get this one" with Garth Day, a former candidate for Ogden mayor, Taylor said.
Republican Glenn Donnelson of North Ogden will do just fine, Bishop believes.
House District 8 (Huntsville, parts of Ogden): This seat has gone back and forth between the parties for 20 years.
Retired Ogden fire chief Joe Murray, a Republican, holds it now. Up against him again is Democratic attorney James Hassenyager of Huntsville. Taylor forecasts a Hassenyager victory.
"I don't see the Democrats taking both Districts 7 and 8 unless the earth shifts," Bishop countered.
Both candidates say funding for education is a primary focus.
House District 9 (Ogden): In the heart of the city, Democrats still rule. Rep. Neil Hansen should have no trouble against Republican Robert Foxley and Independent American candidate Scott Shupe.
House District 10 (south part of Ogden): This one should be close. Republican Lyle Evertsen can defeat the Democrat freshman Rep. LaWanna Shurtliff, Bishop said. Evertsen said he is more qualified than Shurtliff because "I am more conservative."
House District 11 (south Weber County, a slice of northern Davis County): Taylor believes Rep. Carl Saunders, R-Ogden, can be taken out this year. Bishop disagrees.
The Democrat is Bernie Allen, the brother of Sen. Ed Allen, D-Ogden, who defeated an incumbent Republican two years ago. Warren Vaughn, a city councilman in Washington City, is running as an Independent American candidate.
House District 12 (Roy): It's a repeat of the 1998 contest between GOP Rep. Gerry Adair and Democrat Lani Rounds, and Adair is the clear favorite.
Rounds said she is running for office "as a wife, mother, friend and neighbor, not as a politician, business leader or someone with ties to special-interest groups."
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