We Stand United

Salt Lake Tribune:

Utah Democrats chose the "good jobs, good education, good health" candidate Bob Springmeyer as their candidate to run against Republican Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.

Before Springmeyer was nominated Saturday with nearly 87 percent of the delegate vote, he made a surprise nomination of Josie Valdez for lieutenant governor.

"We're in this to win," Springmeyer said, pointing to "all the energy of the new people" attending the convention this year.

He sees winning the governorship as "a simple numbers game." He says 39 percent of Utahns consistently vote Democratic while 41 percent vote Republican.

"The math is easy. If we can get 12 to 15 percent, we'll win," said Springmeyer, president of economic management consultant firm Bonneville Research.

Valdez's nomination was welcomed with a standing ovation and cheers from the crowd packed into the South Ballroom of the Cal Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center. "My task is to help unite and grow the party and see victory in November," Valdez said. "We stand united and united we shall win."

12 to 15 percent are not bad numbers, especially when you see numbers like this for the incumbent.

For more on the convention, A Liberal Mormon has a great rundown of the candidates.