BOUNTIFUL -- Joe Johnson isn't on the ballot this year, but that isn't stopping the nonpartisan Bountiful mayor from being a topic of conversation when it comes to the Nov. 2 general election.
Johnson has verbally endorsed Democratic candidate Richard Watson in his bid for the open House District 19 seat. His endorsement is an irritant to the Davis GOP.
"I'm very disappointed," Davis County GOP Chairwoman Shirley Bouwhuis said upon hearing Johnson had endorsed a Democrat.
Johnson, who is in China representing the city of Bountiful in connection with the International Organization of the Preservation of Folk Art, confirmed via telephone he has endorsed Watson in his race for a House Seat.
"Absolutely correct," Johnson said.
"I have a right to make an endorsement," he said of his backing Watson. "(Watson) has been really engaged in what is happening in Bountiful."
Watson has provided the city with many volunteer hours serving on its Community Services Council, Johnson said. Besides that, Watson is a friend, he said.
However, Johnson's endorsement of his Democratic friend has dropped some Republican jaws.
Based on county voting records, Johnson is a registered Republican, Davis County Clerk/Auditor Steve Rawlings said. Johnson is not the first nonpartisan elected official in the county to endorse a candidate in a partisan contest, Rawlings said, a right Johnson gets to exercise like any other individual regardless of party affiliation.
"I'm a Republican, and I support the Republican nominee in every race," Bouwhuis said.
Watson is facing Republican Jim Nielsen and Constitution Party candidate Reldon White to fill the seat being vacated by Rep. Sheryl Allen, R-Bountiful. Allen also crossed party lines, as she's running for lieutenant governor with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Peter Corroon.
Watson said that, over a lunch with Johnson, he did receive the verbal endorsement of the mayor. That resulted in Watson's placing a campaign sign in the front yard of one of Johnson's rental properties.
Watson, a longtime Democrat who has made unsuccessful bids for other offices, said Johnson's endorsement of his campaign means everything, since he has been working with the mayor on Bountiful city's Community Service Council.
Supporting a Democrat in what is a county heavily dominated by the GOP, Watson admits, takes a strong personality, a trait Johnson is known to have.
"When (Johnson) stands for something, he will let you know. He says what he thinks," Watson said.
The much-talked about endorsement surfaced at recent meet-the-candidates nights, Watson said.
Councilwoman Beth Holbrook, who attended the same luncheon in which Johnson gave Watson the endorsement, said Johnson indicated he would endorse Watson because for two years Watson has performed voluntary community service as chairman of Bountiful's Community Service Council. That council oversees activities such as concerts in the park and the emergency preparedness fair.
Johnson indicated he felt that service should be taken into consideration, Holbrook said.
In addition to Johnson, two members of the Bountiful City Council also have endorsed his candidacy, Watson said. Holbrook said she is one of those council members.
Questions concern possible in-kind funding of billboard rentals
Salt Lake City, UT—Utah Democratic Party Chairman Wayne Holland said today he is asking election attorneys to file a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) regarding questions about a discrepancy on 2nd Congressional District candidate Morgan Philpot’s campaign filing regarding billboard rentals.
Holland said that Philpot’s FEC report shows a payment of $2,854 on October 1 for billboard rentals. Based on what other campaigns are paying for billboards and the number of signs Philpot has displayed, Holland says the campaign disclosure is off by a significant amount.
“Federal campaign law is clear. In-kind donations from companies are not allowed. Mr. Philpot is on leave from his job with an outdoor advertising company. He must pay the going rate and whether he has done so is the focus of our complaint,” said Holland.
Holland said the Philpot campaign has several freeway “bulletin” signs, which rent for roughly $1,000 a month each, plus at least nine “30 sheets” around the 2nd Congressional District. Similar billboard rentals by Utah Democratic candidates in state and local races have totaled between $28,000 and $30,000.
Holland said the complaint will be filed with the FEC, triggering a formal investigation by that agency.
“As someone seeking to hold the public trust of elected office, Philpot needs to be held accountable to the law,” said Holland.
Did you know that when Politician Morgan Philpotwas in the Utah legislature …
He likened the 2002 education budget and those who benefited from it, as fat and lazy from ingesting "pork rinds and soda pop" years.
We're as fat as can be," he said in the Jan. 20, 2002 Deseret News. "The fact we're even worried (about revenue shortfalls) is ridiculous. And you as opinion leaders shouldn't be selling this garbage...it's political posturing and a joke. I'm sick of it."
And look at this voting record on behalf of Utah's Children:
Philpot said NO to funding education, he said NO to providing children the tools for financial literacy, and he said NO to school bus safety.
The proof is in his votes:
Voted against H.B. 3 Substitute, the Minimum School Program Act Amendments, which provided $24,785,000 in one-time educational appropriations.
Voted against HJR 15 to urge Utah school districts to promote financial literacy, from basic budgeting to financial investments, among school students. (49 Yes-13 No -13 Not present / not voting)
Voted against H.B. 85, requiring Utah school buses to meet federal safety standards. (41 Yes - 30 no - 4 not present/ not voting)
Voted against SB 156 to allow each local school board to adopt an emergency response plan for treatment of sports-related injuries, and provide implementation of the plan in each secondary school that has a sports program. (64 Yes -9 No -2 not present/ not voting)
Voted against HB 190 to restrict the use of cell phones by school bus drivers. (48 Yes -26 No -1 Not present / not voting)
What does Morgan Philpot have against Utah's children?
No, I don't think Mike Lee is the Antichrist, but maybe four of his contributors do. While I was browsing through Mike Lee's FEC report I noticed that Dennis Albers, a self employed investor from Piedmont, CA contributed $666 to Mike Lee's campaign. I giggled at the thought but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have written a blog post on the contribution if I had not noticed that Amy Friedkin, a self employed activist from San Fransisco, CA, Russ Holdstein, a self employed investor from Kentfield, CA and Amnon Rodan, CEO of Rodan and Fields from Oakland, CA had made the same $666 donation.
So, what does this mean? Absolutely nothing, but why would anyone give a candidate a contribution for $666? Maybe the know something I don't.
To be fair, I also checked Sam Granato's FEC report, but I was unable to find any contributions from Sam's supporters for exactly $666 bucks.
Maybe those particular contributors really gave $999 dollars and the number was input wrong. Maybe they are just simply Iron Maiden fans. But, what ever the case may be, I leave it in your capable hands to decide what the link is between four Mike Lee supporters and The Number of the Beast!
