THE UTAH AMICUS

"Standing Room Only!"
Tooele County Democratic Convention
Obsevations by Wayne Holland Jr., and Rob Miller

On Tuesday April 4, 2006 Utah State Democratic Chair, Wayne Holland Jr., and Vice Chair, Rob Miller attended the Tooele County Democratic Convention. Last year we attended this convention as candidates for state office. This year we attended with candidates Pete Ashdown (US Senate), and Steve Olsen (Utah's 1st Congressional seat).

Two things were obvious as we turned into the parking lot. The first was that Pete Ashdown had beat us there. His freshly painted, 1976 campaign motor home and mobile billboard was fun to see (Click here to see Bob Aagard's video of Pete's ride). The second was that the parking lot was packed. Last year convention was well attended, but nothing like last night's crowd.

The convention was called to order by newly elected county chair, Marianne Rutishauser Andrus. Boy Scout Troop 130, the oldest troop in Tooele County, presented our Nation's Flag and then led us all in the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.

All of the Tooele County candidates were very impressive speakers, as were our two State Senate candidates from district 17, Art Douglas and Wayne Russell. However, the most inspiring oratories of the evening belonged to congressional candidate Steve Olsen, and Rep. Jim Gowans (House District 21). Listening to both of these gentlemen brought back memories of two great Democratic leaders.

After listening to Steve Olsen it was obvious that Tooele county residents want and need a congressman who will truly represent them in the fashion of Democrat Gunn McKay. This would be a refreshing change from what they have been receiving by their current congressman, a man who our State Party chair refers to as the invisible man.

Rep Jim Gowans spoke on values. Not national values or even our Utah values. What Jim Gowans focused on was Tooele County values. Tooele county residents should remember the eloquence and civility that Democratic Senator Karl Swan brought to the Utah State Senate. All Utahns should look back and remember the foresight that Senator Swan brought to our Utah State Capitol while representing Tooele County and their values. We should also remember the unfortunate power grab gerrymandering by republican state leadership that severely lacked any respect for Tooele County residents.

The gerrymandering carving knife used by the Republican State leadership even puts Tom Delay to shame. This blatant gerrymandering effort was meant to assure that no Tooele County resident could be elected to the State Senate. This was done by putting part of four separate Senate districts into one county. Not only did they rip the county to shreds, they actually split Tooele City virtually in half by their contravention of the public trust.

The intention of this arrogant and unethical division of Tooele County was to protect Republican senators from Utah, Box Elder, Salt Lake, and Juab counties. What this division demonstrates is the Republican Party's blatant disregard for the good hardworking citizens of Tooele County.

The Democratic Party's promise and message to the good citizens of Tooele County is this: we assure you that as you elect your qualified Democratic friends and neighbors to office over the next few election cycles, our efforts on redistricting following the 2010 census will be to once again make Tooele County whole. As Democrats we believe that it our responsibility to ensure that all Utah communities remain intact, and are represented by members of their local community.

The officers of the Utah State Democratic Party were very pleased by our Tooele County Democrats. We want to thank Marianne, her fellow officers, and all those who attended for inspiring us at your Tooele County "Standing Room Only" Democratic convention.