Convention

OGDEN -- A pair of Republican incumbents thrown into the same House race by redistricting both say gaining control of federal lands and using the money for education is at the top of their priority list.

Brad Galvez, of West Haven, faces off against Lee Perry, of Perry, for the House of Representatives District 29 seat, which was formed after a merger of District 2 and District 6.

The two candidates say that, right now, Utah has a one-of-a-kind opportunity to increase funding for education.

SALT LAKE CITY  -- A month after being chosen to represent their neighborhoods, 4,000 Republican delegates in Utah are set to decide the fate of U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch and his challengers during Saturday's state convention.

Utah's unique system of nominating candidates places th

Orrin Hatch

AGE: 78

HOMETOWN: Salt Lake City

EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in history from Brigham Young University; law degree from the University of Pittsburgh.

The two Democrats seeking the party nod for the U.S. House District 1 race are already campaigning against the incumbent Republican rather than each other.

Ryan Combe, of Ogden, and Donna McAleer, of Park City, are lashing out at both five-term Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Brigham City, and the Washington D.C., establishment.

"I don't think Rob Bishop even knows who his constituency is anymore," said McAleer, depicting him as a professional campaigner enmeshed in the Washington world of career politicians. "I certainly believe Rob Bishop is vulnerable, and I believe I'm the candidate who can beat him."

SALT LAKE CITY -- The three Democratic candidates to the U.S. Senate have their own specific issues, but all feel there needs to be a change in how Utah is represented in Washington, D.C.

Salt Lake City residents Scott N. Howell, William D. Peterson II and Pete Ashdown each hope to be the party's candidate in November.

To do so, they will have to make it past the State Democratic Party Convention today and Saturday at the Salt Palace Convention Center, 100 S. West Temple, Salt Lake City. If no candidate receives 60 percent of the delegates' votes, the top two finishers will move on to a June 26 primary election.

SALT LAKE CITY -- An open congressional seat has 11 candidates from across the state hoping to woo delegates to the state Republican Party convention.

All of them hope their experience, either politically or personally, will get them past the party nominating convention Saturday at the South Towne Exposition Center, 9575 S. State St., Sandy.

Rep. Jim Matheson, a Democrat, held the 2nd District seat since 2001, but is running this year in the new 4th Congressional District, leaving an open seat without an incumbent.