Conservative Republicans were mad enough six weeks ago to nearly boo Gov. Mike Leavitt off the state GOP convention stage.
On Tuesday, they didn't back up their huffing and puffing.
Leavitt scored an easy though not overwhelming victory over challenger Glen Davis in a primary that turned out to be more bark than bite. The governor finished with nearly 62 percent of the vote to 38 percent for Davis in a final but unofficial tally.
"The important thing is the W," an exhausted Leavitt said, sounding like Utah Jazz star John Stockton after a first-round playoff game.
Leavitt took seriously the primary battle he didn't expect to wage before the May 6 convention uprising. He spent more than $500,000 and campaigned statewide for almost three solid weeks.
The governor could take the summer off in light of Democratic opponent Bill Orton's vow not to hit the trail until after Labor Day. But Leavitt intends to sit down with his campaign staff Wednesday to plan his strategy.
Orton, a former congressman, favors a clean, short campaign that exposes the differences between the candidates. He'd prefer a race in which he and Leavitt answer the public's questions as opposed to one run from a distant campaign office.
Leavitt won't commit to Orton's conception of the race, saying voters will have the chance to size up the candidates in various forums. "I don't want the race to be about electing a person," he said. "I want it to be about setting an agenda for the future."
First-time candidate Davis, who spent less than $70,000 on the race, was pleased with his showing. He beat Leavitt in Duchesne, Garfield and Kane counties.
"I think what this says is about 40 percent of the people of Utah are not happy with Gov. Leavitt," Davis said.
Davis, a Holladay advertising executive whose conservative message won over the GOP's right wing, accusing Leavitt of abandoning party principles.
Though a Republican, Davis was noncommittal about supporting Leavitt. Davis said he and running mate Greg Hawkins want to sit down with the governor to discuss their concerns with his administration before backing his bid for a third term.
"We have just finished a hard-fought race," said Davis, who has not ruled out another crack at elected office. "You don't just jump in and say, 'Rah, rah for Governor Leavitt.' "
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