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Show Wednesday, November ftatt DAILY HERALD 1 2004 UTAH ATTORNEY GENERAL STATE AUDITOR Shurtleff secures second term as AG State auditor secures Alter is in the money, liis second term handily reflected Attorney General Mark Shurtleff won ... reflection Tuesday, handily securing a second term as the state's top lawyer. Ho I 68.31 Mark Shurtleff Republican Gregory Skofdat (D) :28 13 Utahns have given their Republican state auditor another four years. f Shurtleff, who was elected four years ago, had 69 percent of the votes with 49 percent of the state's precincts reporting. Democratic challenger Greg Skordas was well behind with 28 percent, followed by Libertarian candidate Andrew McCullough with 3 percent. "I really am honored by the fact that such a large number of Utahns like what I've done," Shurtleff said. Shurtleff said he got a concession call from Skordas late Tuesday, acknowledging that the race was all but over even with half of the precincts still to report. "There were always polls that showed us way ahead, but I didn't want to rely on them," said Shurtleff, 47. "We worked hard, raised a lot of money and spent a lot of money." Skordas and Shurtleff nearly ran against each other in 2000, but Skordas stepped aside for incumbent Reed Richards. Shurtleff handily unseated Richards and ended Democrats' hold on the job. Amendment 3 was overwhelmingly passed and Shurtleff said he expected to have to defend it in court when opponents file an expected lawsuit. "If it passes, it's my job to defend it. The people have spoken. I wanted the people in Utah to take a very close look at it," Shurtleff said. STATE THH AHURER ''') ' W. A. McCullough (L) With 1,343 of 1,912 precincts reporting ar Incumbent Auston G. Johnson has secured his third term as state auditor, defeating Democrat Carlos Vasquez, Libertarian Michael Stoddard and Personal Choice Party candidate Valerie Larsen. Johnson thanked the people in the state of Utah for electing him to another four years and thanked his family. This year's auditor's race was different than the one four years ago when Johnson ran unopposed. He said that election was a letdown because he didnt have an opponent. This is much more satisfying to be answerable and to jtnow people think I'm doing a good jc4& Johnson said. Johnson, a Q JA, has said government accountability Isjthe most important issue going into tnis year's election. He has said h$ staff and he have made improvements in government fraud investigations. 1 Johnson said the race was about the prof essional qualifications of the candidates, and voterfc could see the differ ences among tnem. The people this state are good peo- dont go in and vote pie," he saw. " 62.0 Auston G. Johnson Republican Cartas VasquqfD,) 28 4.3Mftt Stoddard (L) 4.9 Valeric S.Ursn(P; With 1,276 of 1.912 precincts reporting - blindly." Utah is one of 18 states where auditors are elected by tie public. In the other 32 states, the auditor is either appointed by Justin Cox, Bonner locked in District 56 race There were no clear winners for Utah State House District 56 as of midnight. With very few precincts reporting, Rep. David Cox, was leading by a slim margin. Neither the incumbent nor competitor Democrat David Bonner were holding any celebratory parties Tuesday night. Problems at precincts in Saratoga Springs, where the last vote was cast after 11 p.m., is one of the probable causes for little informatioa The district covers Eagle Mountain, Saratoga Springs, portions of American Fork and Lehi, and most of the Cedar Valley. Bonner was still optimistic that he could win. He was happy so many people were voting and felt positive about the campaign experience. "I'm delighted we had so many people show up at the polls. That is good news," he said. "We have worked so hard and we have had some great volunteer support and I have talked to a lot of wonderful people. I appreciate the efforts of the poll workers everywhere especially in Saratoga Springs." One of the prevalent issues in this race was education and specifically Cox's support of splitting the Alpine School District. Even though Utah County Commissioners voted not to put a proposal to split the Alpine School District on this proposal was year's ballot, the now-dea- d a clear divider for the candidates. H 'A David Cox N. Republican 46 UTAH HOUSE Ferrin claims slight lead in District 58 David Bonner (D) With 4 of 26 precincts reporting As of midnight, state Rep. Jim Ferrin mJifVm was slightly ahead in the House District 58 race. I -I Ferrin was leading Con-I- ll stituti011 Party candidate I HAVJ Edwin McGarr, the Utah County Constitution Party chair. Ferrin, a certified financial planner who owns Ferrin Capital Advisors, is the Utah County Caucus chairman. He received a bachelor of science degree in finance from Brigham Young University. House District 58 encompasses parts of Orem and Pleasant Grove as well as all of Lindoa "I think the people of the district trust the Republican Party and me," Ferrin in 6L3 Edward Alter T. Republican 33 PebMtH (D) Z5)tmBm(L) 33 Mary A. NtarMa (P) With 1.249 of 1.912 precincts reporting said. " Sf . m Jim Ferrin Republican Edwin T. McGarr (Cj 16 Ferrin, the Utah County Caucus chairman, has said education is a key issue for him. Particularly, he said he wants to be able to adequately fund education without raising taxes. He has said he wants to see less spent on building schools so teachers can be . paid more. "We can learn a lot from our charter schools that can be used in our broader systems statewide," he has said. McGarr, a former Republican, has said he switched to the Constitution Party because he became upset with the Republican voting record in Utah. With6of17 precincts reporting fel Dayton Republican 26 Susan Chawon (D) 3.8 trie Hamilton fL) With 14 of 23 precincts reporting ; ' I With 7 of 17 precincts reporting Painter leading in race for District 67 Painter was leading the . grtTV-- v race for House District 67. ; i Keacnea via ceil pnone just before midnight, Painter said it was still too i vJ I earlv to claim victory. dont know that I'm ready to say that IVe won, but it looks good," he said. "It looks promising. That is all I can say at this point Painter had been challenged by Democratic candidate Walt Borla. Painter said economic development is the key to solving many of the state's problems. "We have 150,000 new kids to educate, but we also have to have jobs for them," he said. "We have to make it attractive for businesses to locate to the state. I have six kids and a grandchild and I'm selfish I want them to work here and stay with the family. I think it is foolish that our export is educated kids." ' Juab County, where Painter lives, has been able to double its tax base bv hiring a power plant to the area, he sakt "I would like to bring more of the same to rural areas," he said. "I think it affects everyone when theeconomy is doing well It takes care of so many things. When people are employed, they are contributing and happy." If elected, Painter said lie would work closely with Utah County delegates on transportation. 1 know that traffic is a big issue between Provo and Salt Lake Qty." j n, Caleb Waroock. Dally Herald 20 As of midnight, Republi- 1 tHih Margaret D. Fowlke Republican can candidate Patrick L nMskD.Lees. 70 Lorie Zimmerman has said he decided to run this year to give voters a choice and to make people aware of the Libertarian Party. He joined the party about three years ago because he strongly agrees with some of the party issues, such as limited government. Justin HiH, Dairy Herald As of midnight, Republican incumbent Becky Lockhart was leading the race for House District 64. u i i Lockhart, who ran a campaign focusing on transportation and jjheslth, had been chal- kipged by Libertarian "I'm pfl WSlSSicpleased and excited to district again," she represent said. "I'm looking forward to addressing the needs that we face, especially transportation, education and health care. We've got some difficult decisions to make but I'm looking forward to having a discussion and hope that I can represent the district welL I'm just continue to be honored to be able to serve." Lockhart said local control is the key to improving educatioa "I believe in returning power and control to the local school districts as much as we can," she said of educatioa Lockhart said she has helped devolve power from the state to local schools, parents and districts in her years in office. "I would like to see that continue," she said. "Specific funding decisions should be left up to parents and school boards. They know better than the state Legislature where the money needs to be spent for the best benefit of kids. Our job as the Legislature is to find as much money as we can and get it to the district so they can make those decisions. 80 sessions. Lockhart optimistic on District 64 lead v As of midnight, the Republican candidate vying for the House District 59 seat was ahead. 1 I Lorie Fowlke was kad-jnjK-jl ing Libertarian candidate IfMLjM Russ Zimmerman, a com puter programmer. "I feel good," Fowlke said. "I feel confident." House District 59 encompasses a portion of north Orem. Fowlke, a local attorney, defeated two-terincumbent state Rep. Mike Thompson in the primary to get her name on the general election ballot. "That was the most challenging part of this race," Fowlke said. Though Fowlke has never held an elected office, she has served as a past president of the Central Utah Bar Association. She said she was "just anxious to get to work." One of Fow Ike's campaign promises was to organize an education committee, bringing together people in different areas of education. She organized the committee after her primary election victory, and she has been attending legislative Yl Justin Hill, Daily Herald fifth-straig- ht David Randall, Dally Herald 1 Fowlke likely to win over zammerman Yly fill Dayton to make it 10 years as Orem rep The effect of legislation on the family, Dayton said should be the prime concern when considering any bilL She said she also feels responsibility for education should be left with the comas in munity, not the federal government ' No Child Left Behind. Dayton said she decided to run when she saw women in politics who claimed to represent their gender but didnt represent her views. r- - Daily Herald JUA 'y t 'f HilL Elisabeth Nardi, Daily Herald families. .mmmmmmmmmmmmmm elected state officials or voted in by the state Legislature. Doug Alden, The Associated Press It appears from evening totals that Republican Margaret Dayton took House District 61 on Tuesday in win for her the office. e Dayton, 55, a mother who has rep resented parts of Orem and Provo at the Legislature since 1997, stressed her focus on "individual responsibility and personal decision making" in her campaign. On Tuesday, she said she appreciated the vote of confidence that a win represents and hopes to Continue to earn voter respect. "They can continue to expect from me my efforts to serve them well as I continue to work to be deserving of their trust," she said. Dayton has been known for her reservations about No Child Left Behind and as an advocate against raising taxes, which she said increases the burdens on Republican Edward T. After has won another term as Utah's main money man. State Treasurer After defeated four other candidates en route to another term in that post the seventh time he has been elected to the position. During the campaign, After pointed to his education, experience and performance. Alter received a bachelor's degree in banking and finance and a master's degree in business administration. He is also a CPA. He worked as the treasurer at the University of Utah for eight years and has been the state treasurer for 24 years. Utahns "dont elect neophytes" for state treasurer, said After, who ttves in Salt Lake County. "It's a real specialty.'' Alter has also said his work as state treasurer has been recognized by two magazines. "Utah has been named the No. 1 financially managed state in the country," he has said. In this year's race, Alter defeated Libertarian candidate Jim EhvelL Democrat Debbie Hansen, Personal Choice Party candidate Mary Petersen and write-i- n candidate David Murtha. Justin Hill Daily Herald Becky Locknart Republican 59.4 Patrick L Painter Republican . Mark D. Lees (L) 15 i With 8 of 20 precincts reporting l 'i Caleb Wantock, Daily Harakl MK.Waltlwtapj mt)22of30 precincts reporting |