SYRACUSE -- By a five-vote margin, former Layton Mayor Jerry Stevenson on Saturday began the leap from city to state politics.
Davis County Republican delegates, voting 87-82, chose Stevenson as the new state Senator for District 21. Gov. Gary Herbert must still approve the choice before it is official.
"I feel pretty elated," said Stevenson after the convention. "I did not anticipate this last week."
Stevenson was chosen to replace Sheldon Killpack, who resigned last weekend after being arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
Killpack surprised many by appearing at the convention to speak briefly to delegates before voting began.
In 2003, Killpack was appointed to the Senate seat by a similar delegation.
"I feel I needed to be here to ... Number one, say thank you. Number two, to apologize, to say I am sorry. I felt I owed it to you," said Killpack, who received a standing ovation from the crowd as he finished his comments.
Stevenson was mayor of Layton from 1993 to 2005.
He beat out four other candidates for the position, all of whom spoke at the convention. According to the state elections Web site, Stevenson's seat is up for election in November.
Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clinton was next in line as the delegates choice for the post.
Rep. Curt Oda, R-Clearfield and business owners Erik Bornemeier and Jory Francis were also candidates.
"I did this just to get a start," said Bornemeier, who joined with Francis as newcomers to elected politics.
District 21 includes the northern Davis County cities of Layton, Clearfield, Syracuse and West Point.
The delegates' choice of Stevenson now goes to the GOP state party chairman, who then submits it to the governor as part of the appointment process, which is likely to happen in relatively short order.
Stevenson admits he'll have to make quick decisions as legislative leaders have said they plan to work in the first few weeks of the session at erasing red ink in the budget.
He says encouraging business growth, supporting education and fostering employment in and around Hill Air Force Base are on his list of priorities. But Stevenson would not commit to choices about new taxes or cuts to put the state budget in the black
"I am on a short learning curve," Stevenson said. "But I have had a lot of years of working with legislators on many issues."
The 45-day legislative session begins Monday.
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SYRACUSE -- Davis County Republicans chose former Layton mayor Jerry Stevenson to fill the vacant state Senate seat this afternoon.
Stevenson was one of five candidates seeking to replace Sheldon Killpack, who resigned last week following his arrest on suspicion of DUI.
Killpack made a surprise appearance appearance at the convention and apologized to his supporters for his actions.
State Rep. Paul Ray finished second to Stevenson in the balloting.
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