Democrats aren't the only ones in Utah County disenchanted with the Republican incumbents in the Legislature.
Candidate filing ended Monday, and several Utah County legislative districts have multiple candidates, especially multiple Republican candidates.
Of the 13 district races for the House of Representatives, eight races have more than one Republican, and in the Senate, three of the four races have multiple Republicans.
All of the candidates running think there needs to be change, but several Republican candidates said neighbors and other members of the community asked them to run because they want a positive change in the Legislature and not just the same actions by the same people.
"It was a little over a year ago there was a lot of outcry for a change. ... Everybody has a different complaint," said Jennifer Baptista, a candidate in District 57 who is running against Rep. Craig Frank, R-Pleasant Grove. "They feel they're not being heard, that he's not representing them and they're not happy about his lack of support for the public schools. There's been a lot of discontentment in the area, and it just proves the fact that a lot of people want somebody different."
Frank said he has had positive feedback from his work in the Legislature and thinks he will be successful in this re-election bid.
Public education was raised as a major issue by other candidates.
David Starling, a Republican running in District 62 against incumbent Rep. Chris Herrod, is a longtime public school teacher and believes his experience inside the system would be valuable to the Legislature and the decisions made concerning public schools. He also has a background with business and a degree in economics that he says will benefit budgetary decision-making.
However, Herrod, R-Provo, said he feels he represents the district well and thinks he will win the legislative seat.
Lisa Shepherd, who announced she will run as a Republican in District 61 against Rep. Keith Grover, R-Provo, said she received an overwhelming amount of phone calls from Provo residents to run and give them back their voice, especially through protecting public education. Shepherd said she believes, and residents have told her, that the incumbents no longer do what the people want.
Governmental ethics also came into question when candidates decided to file.
"I got tired of reading all the articles about (Rep.) Mike Morley (supporting a bill) that would benefit his construction company," said Chance Williams, a Republican candidate in District 66 running against the Republican Morley. "I want to see people working for legislation that would sincerely benefit the people."
Mary Lou Huffmon, a Democratic candidate in District 57, said she's also upset with the current state of ethics, especially with so many conflicts of interest. She said she's not sure what will happen with the race in her district, but hopes a change will occur.
Morley, R-Spanish Fork, did not respond to requests for comment before press time.
Candidates filed in Utah County
Utah State Senate
District 13
Democrats: Kenneth Peay
Republicans: Mark Madsen (incumbent); J. Lane Henderson
District 14
Democrats: None
Republicans: John L. Valentine (incumbent)
District 16
Democrats: Fred Desposorio; Radene Hatfield
Republicans: Curt Bramble (incumbent); Jacqueline DeGaston; James O'Neal
District 27
Democrats: Brad King
Republicans: Richard Moss; David Hinkins
Constitution: Robert Armstrong
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Utah State House
District 27
Democrats: Gwyn Franson
Republican: John Dougall (incumbent)
District 56
Democrats: William Le Jeune
Republicans: Jared Sepulveda; Kenneth Sumsion (incumbent)
Constitution: Michael J. Barron
District 57
Democrats: Mary Lou Huffmon; Terry Jensen
Republicans: Jennifer Baptista; Craig Frank (incumbent); Kim Robinson
District 58
Democrats: Steve Baugh
Republicans: Paul Newton; Stephen Sandstrom (incumbent)
District 59
Democrats: Paul Thompson
Republicans: Lorie Fowlke (incumbent)
District 60
Democrats: Boyd McAffee
Republicans: Bradley Daw (incumbent); Linda Houskeeper
Constitution: Scott Swain
District 61
Democrats: Deon Turley
Republicans: Keith Grover (incumbent); Lisa Shepherd
District 62
Democrats: Claralyn Hill
Republicans: Christopher Herrod (incumbent); David Starling
District 63
Democrats: Donald Jarvis
Republicans: Steve Clark (incumbent)
District 64
Democrats: Boyd Petersen
Republicans: Becky Lockhart (incumbent)
Libertarian: Nathanial Ashby
District 65
Democrats: Douglas Baxter
Republicans: Francis Gibson; Aaron Tilton (incumbent)
District 66
Democrats: Debbie Swenson; Paul Penrod
Republicans: Mike Morley (incumbent); Chance Williams
District 67
Democrats: None
Republicans: Patrick Painter (incumbent)
Constitution: Feleni Siufanua
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Judge of the Fourth District Court
Steven Hansen; Samuel McVey; James Taylor; Lynn Davis
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Utah County Commission
Democrats: None
Republicans: Larry Ellertson (incumbent); Jeff Wabel
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Utah State School Board
District 12 — Carol Murphy, Erin Madsen, David Adamic, John Schmeltzer II, Mark Cluff
District 13 — Don Savage, Kyle Bateman, A. Legrand Richards, Jeremy Blickenstaff, C. Mark Openshaw, Ammon Cunningham, Jill Rea
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Alpine School Board
District A4 — Guy Fugal (incumbent)
District A6 — Debbie Taylor (incumbent)
District A7 — Monta Rae Jeppson; Kirby Glad; Terry Peterson (incumbent)
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Nebo School Board
District N1 — K. L. Tischner (incumbent)
District N3 — Randy Boothe (incumbent)
District N6 — R. Dean Rowley (incumbent)
District N7 — Christine Riley
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Provo School Board
District P3 — David Williams, Dawn Frandsen, Richard Sheffield (incumbent)
District P5 — Darryl Alder (incumbent)
District P6 — Kristine Manwaring, Howard Stone
District P7 — Mary Ann Christiansen (incumbent)
E-mail: csmith@desnews.com