KAYSVILLE — Davis County Republican delegates on Saturday handed early defeats to a pair of incumbents and made sure three others will have to do battle again in the June primary.
Close to 800 delegates turned out for the GOP convention at Davis High School, where Sen. Terry Spencer of Layton's District 22 was handily eliminated by opponent Gregory S. Bell.
Bell, a former three-term mayor of Farmington, trounced the one-term senator by picking up 72 percent of the 275 votes cast.
Afterward, Spencer admitted he was shocked but said he would throw his support behind Bell to assure the seat stays in Republican hands.
"I guess the delegates decided they wanted someone else to represent them. I will get to spend more time with my kids."
Although a couple of delegates said Spencer generated concern with legal issues associated with some of his bills, Spencer dismissed that notion, saying he believed his relative newness to the county party was a factor in the defeat.
"I came out of nowhere four years ago, and now I will return to being a voter."
Defeat also came to Davis County Recorder Sheryl White, with delegates overwhelmingly deciding instead to pick Richard T. Maughan as their Republican favorite. Maughan carried nearly 74 percent of the vote, easily coasting into November's general election over White's 21 percent and Tony Thompson's 5 percent.
Although White stressed the professionalism and competency of her office, delegates obviously listened to the concern expressed by Maughan when he said visitors are made to feel like an "intruder" when they request the services of that office. White said afterward she hoped Maughan would be able to fulfill his promises but admitted dismay at the convention's outcome.
"I am hurt."
Davis County Attorney Mel Wilson was afforded an early warning at the convention about the fierceness of competitor Russell A. Cline when delegates delivered Wilson only 42 percent of the votes in the first round of balloting. Loren D. Martin, who was the county attorney before Wilson defeated him 16 years ago, was eliminated from contention early on, picking up just shy of 11 percent of the votes cast.
The second round had Cline with just over 58 percent of the delegates' votes, nearly eliminating Wilson from being a contender at all. If a candidate gets approval of at least 60 percent of the delegates, a primary is not needed. Instead, Cline and Wilson have to start currying favor with voters who typically show little interest in primary elections in an off-presidential year.
Afterward, Wilson said he was surprised he fared that well. He said the party elite had made sure he knew they wanted him out because he had spoken favorably two years ago about Democrat Reed Richards, who made an unsuccessful run for state attorney general.
"They were going to see to it that I had opposition."
Another close call forced incumbent Davis County Assessor Carol Buckley into a runoff with Vincent Drollette, where the second round left her with just over 56 percent of the vote and Drollette with nearly 44 percent. They, too, will go on to the primary.
Other incumbents had it easier, with Davis County Commissioners Dannie McConkie and Carol Page picking up easy victories, as did Sheriff Bud Cox.
In only one instance will Davis County voters picking state house representatives have to go to the polls at the primary election.
Delegates called too close a race between incumbent Paul Ray and Dana Love, who are seeking the Republican nomination for District 13. Love had 51 percent of the vote, while Ray had nearly 49 percent.
One of the more closely watched races was that of District 16, being vacated by incumbent Kevin Garn, who is trying for a victory in Utah's 1st Congressional District. Layton City Councilman Stuart Adams had the answer, picking up nearly 73 percent of delegates' votes over Todd W. Garner.
In other House races, incumbent Marda Dillree in District 17 won an easy victory, as did Roger Barrus in District 18 and Don Bush in District 14.
The convention also served as a forum for 1st Congressional District candidates, many of whom addressed the delegates.
E-MAIL: amyjoi@desnews.com