Vowing to listen to Utahns and be a moderate political voice for them, Democratic businessman Sam Granato announced Monday that he is a candidate for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Republican Bob Bennett.
The field is becoming crowded. While Granato is the first Democrat in the race, four conservative to ultra-conservative Republicans are running or are saying they are considering it.
Those Republicans include 17-year incumbent Bennett, Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, former congressional candidate Tim Bridgewater, conservative businesswoman Cherilyn Eagar and James Russell Williams II.
"I realize that I am not your typical politician, and, frankly, that is a good thing," Granato told a cheering crowd in the parking lot of the family business he runs, Frank Granato Importing Co., which was founded by his father.
"As a small business owner for the past 40 years, I have had a very unique opportunity to understand the intricacies of healthcare as an employer, an IHC board member, as past chairmen of the Salt Lake Valley Health Department, and as a father and grandfather," he said.
He added, "As a party to the restructuring of Utah's liquor laws, I have proved that I am capable of listening to differing opinions and forming a consensus."
Also, "As a business owner, as former chairman for Beehive Credit Union and as a former member of the Utah Micro Loan Fund, I have seen how honest banking measures can lift the dreams of families in Utah with proper oversight and regulation."
Granato also said, "I am running to speak for you, the people of Utah. Over the course of this campaign I want to hear your stories. I want to know what you want from your government."
He told the press that Bennett is "a legend." But he said, "It's time for legends to be broken and new ideas to move on…. I'm more moderate. I want to move down the middle of the road."
Granato and party leaders said they do not know if Granato will face a fight for the Democratic nomination, because Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, has not made his plans firm. "I will fight for the nomination and win it," if necessary, Granato said.
He added that expects to need to raise about $2 million for the race. "I'm hoping that I can raise enough to do what I need to do," he said.
Utah Democratic Party Chairman Wayne Holland, who attended the event and posed for pictures with Granato, said Republican in-fighting between conservatives may increase the chances for a Democrat to win next year.
"Because of the strife and turmoil in the state Republican Party, two weeks ago when I was at the national Democratic meetings the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee operatives came looking for me for the first time instead of me looking for them," Holland said.
"With the Republican challenge (to Bennett) by a couple of well-known candidates, that increases the interest in the race by Democratic donors nationally," Holland said, which could help Granato in fund raising.
"The Rocky Mountain region has become more Democratic," he said, which is also increasing interest from the national party — although Utah is still considered largely a one-party state.
Among the many well-wishers at Granato's announcement was former Utah Jazz Coach Frank Layden, who said Granato was among the first people he befriended when he first moved to Utah. Layden has made TV ads for the Granato family business.
"He's honest. The problem is he makes too much sense," Layden said. "It's great to see him stepping up. He's like the Utah Jazz — he's coming out of nowhere. He's a breath of fresh air."
Meanwhile on Monday, Eagar announced she has formed an exploratory committee to weigh her options about also jumping formally into the race.
Eagar, vice president of marketing for WebsTarget who has worked with several conservative GOP groups, said she is considering also opposing Bennett because "he helped grow the federal government by trillions of collars, most of which is now debt."
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