Primary Election Dates
- June 19, 2000--
Last day to register to vote for primary election (see your county clerk)
-
June 27, 2000-- Primary election day
Links
May 8, 2000
Democrats are reveling, Republicans reeling, after this weekend's contentious Republican State Convention.
News Specialist Nadine Wimmer found time is not healing the wounds as we move toward Decision 2000.
The boos above the applause not only forced Utah's two-term governor into a primary election, but left him feeling like, in his words, he's been through a "fraternity hazing."
Governor Mike Leavitt: "IT WAS A VERY RAUCCOUS AFTERNOON, BUT I'M PREPARED TO MOVE FORWARD JUST AS IS NEEDED NOW."
"THAT WAS LAST SATURDAY, THIS IS MONDAY, WE'LL ORGANIZE A CAMPAIGN AND A GOOD ONE."
Challenger Bill Orton sees the convention as a sign of a serious fracture at the core of the Republican party.
Bill Orton/Democratic Candidate for Governor: "IF YOU WERE TO GO OUT AMONG REPUBLICANS AND GET A TASTE TEST BETWEEN GOVERNOR LEAVITT AND ME, YOU'D PROBABLY FIND MORE ANIMOSITY TOWARD GOVERNOR LEAVITT WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY."
Time doesn't appear to be mending any fences; outspoken delegates make no apologies for their tough stance.
"IT'S NOT A MATTER OF MIDDLE GROUND, IT'S A MATTER OF DOING WHAT'S RIGHT."
Gayle Ruzicka/Eagle Forum: "IT'S TIME FOR OUR REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR TO ACT LIKE A REPUBLICAN."
Though he admits he wishes there wasn't a primary, Governor Leavitt says the race is on.
Governor Mike Leavitt: "I'M JUST GOING TO RUN AN AGRESSIVE CAMPAIGN TO TAKE A MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE ABOUT EDUCATION AND JOBS."
Democrats can't help but revel in the contention that surrounds Utah's dominant political party.
Bill Orton, Democratic Candidate For Governor: "I THINK THE ENTIRE LEADERSHIP FROM ORRIN HATCH ON DOWN IS PETRIFIED OF WHAT IS HAPPENING INSIDE THE PARTY."
Nadine Wimmer, Eyewitness News: "MANY FEARED THIS WAS SHAPING UP TO BE A LACKLUSTER CAMPAIGN SEASON. THIS MAY JUMP START THE INTEREST, BUT IT'S PROBABLY NOT THE SORT OF ATTENTION REPUBLICANS WERE HOPING FOR."
The primary election is scheduled for June 27th.
