COALVILLE — Park City Councilwoman Shauna Kerr and former Summit County Democratic chairman Mike Marty of Woodland will square off in a June primary for county commissioner.
Kerr and Marty won the top two spots in balloting by 79 delegates at a Democratic convention Tuesday night at North Summit High School.
The delegates considered four candidates after two, Cliff Blonquist and Sheldon Smith, took themselves out of the running. Kerr and Marty defeated the remaining two contenders, Allen Titensor and Ron Perry. Since neither of the top two gained 60 percent of the vote, the June runoff will be required to determine who faces the Republican candidate in November.
Approximately 200 people attended the convention, according to Carma Burns, Summit County Democratic chairwoman.
"It was a very big night for us — actually with people from both parties turning out for a tribute and reception for Sheldon Richins," Burns said.
Richins is a 12-year outgoing county commissioner, opening the spot for which Kerr and Marty are vying.
Utah majority whip Rep. David Ure, R-Kamas, and Rep. Mel Brown, R-Midvale, were in attendance, as were Republican and Democratic mayors and former commissioners from several Summit County communities.
Also there were Utah Sen. Scott Howell, D-Granite, who will contest Republican U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch this fall; Donald Dunn, who will face Republican U.S. Rep. Chris Cannon; Reid Richards, shooting for the attorney general slot being vacated by Jan Graham; Becky Richards, Park City, aiming for Ure's seat in the Legislature; Democratic state chairwoman Megan Holbrook and vice chairman Rod Julander.
You can reach Gib Twyman by e-mail at gtwyman@desnews.com