Those attending Salt Lake County's Republican Central Committee meeting Saturday seemed split over whether supporting Mayor Nancy Workman would do more to help or hurt the party's chances in the Nov. 2 elections.
A Deseret Morning News/KSL-TV poll conducted this past week by Dan Jones & Associates indicates the number of people who say they would vote for Workman if the election were held today has plummeted. And some at the meeting, attended by about 200 people, were worried how the recent felony charges against Workman would affect Republican party candidates running for other offices.
County Council District 4 hopeful Mark Crockett, after lending his support to Workman, said he has dropped 5 to 10 points in the polls since the charges.
"I'm just guessing my race got harder," he said. "People are considering their vote, as they should."
According to the News/KSL-TV poll, GOP County Council Chairman Steve Harmsen has gained a little against Democratic challenger Jenny Wilson. Forty-three percent said they would vote for Harmsen, compared to 32 percent for Wilson, with 22 percent undecided (see accompanying chart). In July, 36 percent of respondents said they would vote for Harmsen, with 30 percent for Wilson and 31 percent undecided.
Workman is 30 points behind her Democratic challenger. Poll numbers, published in a Deseret Morning News story Saturday, show 43 percent of respondents say they would vote for Democrat Peter Corroon if the election were held today, with 20 percent for independent candidate Merrill Cook, 12 percent for Workman and 22 percent undecided.
Workman, who attended Saturday's meeting, said all of her financial supporters still are committed to her re-election campaign. And Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, said the party would "stand with you as you face this challenge."
But Robert Smith, a tax lawyer and a Senate district chairman, spoke against a party resolution calling for a quick and speedy trial. He said he would like to see the Republican Party withdraw their endorsement of the mayor.
"We are being tainted as a party because of scandals. . . . I think we can do better than that. . . . By standing with her (Workman), we hurt all other Republican candidates," Smith said. Several others at the meeting thanked him afterward, saying his remarks represented their views as well.
The resolution narrowly passed, 126 to 96. Some of those in favor only supported it because Workman cannot be replaced on the ballot unless she dies, runs for president of the United States or a doctor certifies her as mentally or physically unable to continue. They said they would rather stand with Workman because she is "innocent until proven guilty."
Smith disagreed. "Sometimes you have to lose a battle to win the war," he said. "We have to do what's right before what's Republican."
Workman defended her actions that led to felony charges of misusing county funds. "There was no personal gain (or) secrecy . . . I'm going to fight it all the way," she said.
She has geared up her campaign earlier than normal to combat the drop in the polls and said she appreciates those who still support her.
"It just warms my heart," she said.
E-mail: tpeterson@desnews.com