The 2008 Elections – Good for Business?

by Robin Riggs, Vice President and General Counsel of the Salt Lake Chamber

Winston Churchill said, “You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life.” This admonition is a good benchmark for those hoping to be elected this year to represent the business community. It seems that far too many politicians only say what they believe their current audience wants to hear. Instead, we should be electing men and women who are willing to take an unflinching stand on the most critical issues of our day: health system reform, energy resources, immigration, transportation funding, and education.

Due Diligence is the Key - The business community needs always to do its due diligence to make sure that persons willing to support good public policy are elected. To that end, the Salt Lake Chamber conducts extensive research on the major races and then uses that information to help its members decide which candidates are deserving of their support.

This year, the Chamber has been closely monitoring the races for U.S Congress, Governor, Attorney General, State Treasurer, the Utah State Senate, the Utah State House of Representatives, Salt Lake County Mayor, Salt Lake County Council, Utah County Commission, Davis County Commission, Weber County Commission, the Summit County Council, Cache County Council, and the Washington County Commission.

Races Critical to Business - There are, of course, races that are more critical to the business community than others. For example, many believe that the Governor’s race is not as important this year as in years past for the simple reason that the incumbent is so popular that it is unlikely that he will be unseated. Other races are important because the candidates have demonstrated support for or antagonism toward a priority important to the business community. These include many of the legislative races, since what the legislature does has direct and substantial impact on the business climate, regulation, tax policy, public investment, and economic growth. Other races are important because of their local nature and local impact on business. These include local county council and commission races.

Highlighted Races for 2008 - Some of the more interesting races this year include the following:

• The U. S. Congress Second District race featured another run by former Congressman Merrill Cook. However, he was defeated at the Republican State Convention by Bill Dew, a developer. Mr. Dew is a decided underdog against incumbent Congressman Jim Matheson.
• The U. S. Congress Third District had the most intrigue. Incumbent Congressman Chris Cannon believed that his strongest intraparty challenge would come from David Leavitt, former Juab County Attorney and brother to former Governor and current HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt. Instead, Cannon was nearly defeated at the convention by another intraparty challenger, Jason Chaffetz, former Chief of Staff to Governor Huntsman. All accounts indicate that Chaffetz had a more effective presentation at the convention and that his speech struck a nerve on several issues with many of the delegates.
• On the Republican side of the State Treasurer’s race, the two candidates could not be more different. Richard Ellis, the current deputy State Treasurer and a former head of the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget, projected himself as the more exerienced of the two. On the other hand, his opponnent, Mark Walker, is a stting legislator, but is young and relatively inexperienced. However, he had very broad support from current legislative leaders and nearly defeated Ellis at the convention. Now they will face each other in the primary on June 24.
• In the race for Utah State Senate District 1 (Salt Lake City, West Valley City), two powerhouse newcomers are facing each other. Carlton Chistensen, the Republican, is a three term member of the Salt Lake City Council and has deep roots in the area. Luz Robles, the Democrat, has recently moved to the area and has strong support from the Democratic Party infrastructure, as she defeated the incumbent Senator Fred Fife at the Democratic State Convention. This will be a very close race and the winner will be critical in helping the Chamber in its Downtown Salt Lake City initiatives.
• In Utah Senate District 8 (Cottonwood Heights, Holladay) the incumbent, Senator Carlene Walker, is being challenged by the sitting Democratic Representative in the area, Rep. Karen Morgan. This is too close to call, as both are very popular in their districts and both work extremely hard.
• In Senate District 23 (Bountiful, Woods Cross, Centerville), Republicans Dan Liljenquist and Ron Mortensen are facing off in the June 24 primary to try to replace outgoing Senator Dan Eastman. Liljenquist is a newcomer to politics, but is a busines owner with solid business credentials. Mortensen is a former State Department appointee with a keen interest in immigration policy. Either Republican will likely defeat the Democrat in that race.
• In House District 24 (Salt Lake City), incumbent Representative Rebecca Chavez-Houck is being challenged by Republican Joe Jarvis. Jarvis is a physician keenly interested in major health system reform. Chavez-Houck replaced former Representative Ralph Becker after he was elected Salt Lake City mayor. She is likely to win re-election as the district is predominantly Democratic.
• House District 28 (Salt Lake City) became an open seat when Representative Roz McGee decided not to seek re-election. The Democrat, Brian King, is an attorney. The Republican, Jeff Morrow, is a real estate professional. As in the case of Senate District 1, whoever wins this seat will be a critcal player in how the Utah Legislature impacts Salt Lake City.
• House District 49 (Sandy) is currently held by Speaker of the House Greg Curtis. His last race was very close and the same Democrat is running against him again. Speaker Curtis has had a major impact on the Chamber’s initiatives in the past and this will likely continue if he is re-elected. All indications are that this race may be close again.

There are many other races that the Chamber is watching but far too many to list here.

2008 Salt Lake Chamber Candidate Forums - In order to help its members conduct its due dilligence, the Salt Lake Chamber is launching a series of Candidate Forums beginning next Monday at 12 noon in the Eccles Board Room of the Salt Lake Chamber (175 E. University Blvd./400S). These forums are open to the media and Chamber members. Here is the schedule:

Monday, May 19 – House District 24
Rebecca Chavez-Houck vs. Joe Jarvis

Friday, June 13 – County Council 4
Mark Crockett vs. Jani Iwamoto

Wednesday, June 25 – House District 49
Greg Curtis vs. Jay Seegmiller

Monday, July 7 – House District 28
Brian King vs. Jeff Morrow

Monday, July 21 – House District 45
Brian Monsen vs. Laura Black

Monday, August 4 – House District 20
Paul Neuenschwander or Becky Edwards vs. Kyle Roberts

Monday, August 18 – Senate District 23
Richard Watson vs. Dan Liljenquist or Ron Mortensen

Monday, September 15 – County Council 6
Max Burdick vs. Roger Harding

Monday, September 29 – County Council 2
Michael Jensen vs. Paul Pugmire

Monday, October 6 – Senate District 1
Carlton Christensen vs. Luz Robles

Monday, October 20 – Salt Lake County Mayor
Peter Corroon vs. Michael Renckert

Monday, October 27 – Governor
Jon Huntsman, Jr. vs. Bob Springmeyer

Thursday, October 30 – President (State Campaign Directors)
John McCain vs. Barrack Obama or Hillary Clinton

Remember, it is critical that the business community become knowledgeable about the candidates running for office in key races. Otherwise, we leave important decisions to those that do not represent the best interest of business. Or, as Yogi Berra said, “If you don't know where you are going, you'll end up some place else.”

For further information, contact Robin Riggs directly at rriggs@saltlakechamber.org or (801) 328-5080.