Dems File A Complaint: Republican Candidate Running For 2 Offices In Utah
Rep. Keven Stratton (R-Orem) doesn’t know what he wants to be when he grows up. The Utah Democratic Party filed a complaint with the state elections office against Stratton who is seeking both re-election and to fill a vacancy in the Senate, KSL reports.
[su_center_ad]Stratton is violating state law by being a candidate for both his House seat and an opening in the Senate created by Sen. John Valentine’s resignation in September, according to the complaint.
KSL reports:
But state elections director Mark Thomas said he doesn’t see any issues with Stratton running for both offices because his name will appear on the election ballot only for his House seat. The law prohibits a candidate from appearing on the ballot twice.
State law does not consider him a candidate for the Senate seat because the Republican Party will fill the vacancy internally and not at the polls, he said.
“To me, it’s not even a close call,” Thomas said. “This statute is very clear what a candidate is.”
Thomas said Stratton contacted him before declaring himself a candidate for the Senate to make sure there would be no problems. Stratton is running unopposed for his House seat.
State Democrats want the elections office to declare Stratton ineligible for one or both seats. But Thomas said that isn’t going to happen.
Stratton is one of four candidates vying to replace Valentine, whose former district includes parts of Orem, Pleasant Grove, American Fork, Highland and Alpine. The others are former House members Stephen Sandstrom and Ken Sumsion and Highland business consultant Al Jackson.
So Stratton is running unopposed for his House seat and will take that route if he doesn’t win the Senate race?
On Nov. 15, GOP delegates in the district will meet to choose Valentine’s replacement.
H/T: @ComgenKDT with thanks. [su_csky_ad]
tiredoftea November 2nd, 2014 at 9:07 pm
Sort of like interviewing for one job while still working?
KB723 November 2nd, 2014 at 9:50 pm
I actually have been, it seems I have more leverage that way, I can’t ask for top pay when I am unemployed…???
tiredoftea November 2nd, 2014 at 9:54 pm
Well, if you’re also taking campaign contributions, please tell us how it goes!
KB723 November 2nd, 2014 at 10:40 pm
LOL, Ok I will…. =)
Obewon November 2nd, 2014 at 9:10 pm
US Rep. Keven Stratton (R-Orem) admits ‘I took too much LDS!’ Overdosing he begged absolution from Bishop Romney.
Nina Ricci November 2nd, 2014 at 9:53 pm
oh the irony!
the ones bitching about FRAUD are the ones committing it.
PFFTTT
like we didn’t know!
KABoink_after_wingnut_hacker November 2nd, 2014 at 9:56 pm
Now that’s voter fraud!
Dwendt44 November 3rd, 2014 at 12:34 am
You just can’t trust those Republicans.
Maybe his magic underwear is a size to small.
Kim Serrahn November 3rd, 2014 at 1:10 am
I guess it’s only considered fraud if you are a liberal or a democrat
Larry Schmitt November 3rd, 2014 at 7:11 am
That’s why any candidate should be required to resign from his current office before he can run for another. At the very least, the public gets nothing for their money while he is campaigning.
fahvel November 3rd, 2014 at 7:18 am
brilliant!!!! An incumbant has no right to use their time in office for anything but the job they were elected to do!!!
Hirightnow November 3rd, 2014 at 7:25 am
They usually interpret that job as “Campaigning for re-election”, anyway.
Larry Schmitt November 3rd, 2014 at 7:53 am
It’s no wonder the House doesn’t get anything done. With a two year term, most of their time is spent campaigning. Maybe it’s time we changed that.
Hirightnow November 3rd, 2014 at 8:19 pm
No argument.
R.J. Carter November 3rd, 2014 at 8:08 am
I’m very confused. He doesn’t seem to be running for Senate, as far as voting is concerned. He’s “campaigning” to be *selected* to fill the vacant seat. Pretty sure this has been done before.
John_St_John November 3rd, 2014 at 12:51 pm
R.J. the way the deal has been proposed is that if Stratton cannot win his election bid, the Utah G.O.t.P. will install him as a Utah state senator to a seat they have held open now for quite a few months. Why wasn’t that seat opened up for public voting??
R.J. Carter November 3rd, 2014 at 1:15 pm
Thanks, that clarifies it. Yes, the seat should have been opened for voting. I think the only time they aren’t is if it’s vacated with not enough time to work into the electoral schedule.