One Utah

How many people are actually running for Salt Lake City mayor next year?

I’m a fan of Ralph Becker’s. I’ve voted him in every election since I moved into his district. He’s been an effective minority leader for the Dems on the Hill and he’s smart as hell. I’m not sold on the bolo tie and cowboy boots look in the photo that accompanies this article announcing his entry into the Salt Lake City mayoral race. Ralph’s best quote by far is

Utah’s capital needs to capitalize on its assets to “leapfrog to another level as a city.”

According to Rolly’s column today, the filed of contenders is already overcrowded.

[Meghan Holbrook] . . . will joust in the mayoral arena against a group of foes who include Salt Lake County Councilwoman Jenny Wilson, Salt Lake City Council Chairman Dave Buhler, Salt Lake City Councilwoman Nancy Saxton, former Salt Lake City Councilman Keith Christensen, Centro Civico Mexicano Director John Renteria and, as The Tribune reports today, Utah House Minority Leader Ralph Becker.

For those who are interested, I count seven candidates listed here. There are probably others waiting in the wings. I get this. For Democrats, Utah’s Stakehouse Legislature is a dead end. Salt Lake City’s mayor is often treated as the mayor of Utah. Salt Lake City is a Democratic island in a Republican sea, but it is also a World Class City. Realistically, as things stand in Utah today, Salt Lake City and County mayoral offices are the most prominent and influential positions Democratic politicans can reasonably expect to achieve.

My initial take on this is two fold. I think Ralph Becker would be a good mayor. He’s well-liked on the Hill, smart and has the background and skills. If he leaves the Stakehouse Legislature, it opens a seat for someone new on the Hill.

I need to look more deeply into all the candidates but I suspect I’ll have an endorsement for this race eventually.

This entry was posted Wednesday, November 15th, 2006 at 2:10 pm and is filed under Elections, SLC Politics, Salt Lake City. Both comments and pings are currently closed.