The Salt Lake County Republican Party will hold two special elections tonight: One to replace 3rd District County councilman David Wilde and another to replace former state Representative Derek Brown in House District 49. Both resigned in January.
David Wilde left the Salt Lake County council to work for Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill, where he will be eligible for the health care benefits he’ll need to combat cancer.
Derek Brown left the Utah House of Representatives to serve as U.S. Senator Mike Lee’s Deputy Chief of Staff.
Salt Lake County Republican Party Chair Chad Bennion says while only members of the party’s central committee who reside in council District 3 are eligible to vote in the county race and only delegates in House District 49 can cast a vote in the legislative race, anyone can attend the event.
“It’s gonna be a good time to get to know who these individuals are because whoever the successor is or maybe some of those who are running tonight may be some of the candidates with the election cycle when the filing period begins in May,” Bennion says.
Bennion says about four people are vying for the council seat, including former Taylorsville City Spokeswoman Aimee Winder Newton and 13 candidates are competing for the house seat. Bennion says additional candidates may be nominated from the floor at tonight’s meeting.
Candidates must be elected by a simple majority votes. The names selected will be forwarded respectively to the county council and the governor, who will then ratify those decisions.
