Democrat seeks Dearden's seat
Text 
No Comments [ Add Comment ]By MARSHALL THOMPSON
Standard-Examiner staff
Property taxes are primary issue for many in race for commission seat C
OGDEN -- Lewis E. Johnson filed to run as a Democrat for Weber County Commission Seat C just before the 5 p.m. deadline Monday.
The Weber County elections office Web site posted an update Tuesday morning showing Johnson would be challenging Republican incumbent Craig Dearden. As of 5:30 p.m. Monday, however, it had appeared Dearden was running unopposed.
Johnson is a math teacher at North Ogden Junior High, the father of four and a longtime resident of Huntsville. Steve Olsen, the Weber County Democratic party vice chairman and state Senate candidate in District 20, said it's important that Johnson lives in northern Weber.
"The philosophy we had this year was that we wanted someone to run from Ogden Valley," he said. "They've been underrepresented in county government, and that showed up this year with the property taxes."
Many Ogden Valley residents felt their property assessments went up disproportionally to the rest of the county last year. Some even staged protests and symbolically put the town of Huntsville up for sale, saying they couldn't afford their taxes.
"We feel like he would be a good alternative to Mr. Dearden to get not only a more balanced political representation, but a more balanced geographical representation," Olsen said.
After school on Tuesday, Johnson went to Salt Lake City to watch his youngest daughter play in a softball game. The Standard-Examiner was not immediately able to reach him.
Gloria Barrett, Weber County elections administrator, said the online results were delayed because the information technology specialist was not in the office Monday evening. However, updated information, complete with the candidates' contact information, is now up on the county's election Web site: www1.co.weber.ut.us/Clerk_Auditor/Election/.
Olsen said he feels good about the prospects for Weber Democrats this year.
"We are feeling really energized," he said. "We have great candidates for every position."
Add Your Comment
