OGDEN -- The deadline is up and names are in for those Utah politicians declaring their candidacy for the 2010 elections.
More than 300 people have filed statewide, giving Weber County's 135,000 registered voters many choices, said Douglas Larsen, acting elections administrator for Weber County.
Republican Sen. Bob Bennett has the most challengers, with nine people vying for his seat.
Locally, former Ogden Councilman Jesse Garcia joined Jeremy Peterson in the race for Democratic state Rep. Neil Hansen's seat.
Three people each have filed for the offices of clerk/auditor, treasurer and both commission seats.
Rep. Kerry Gibson is hoping to end his third term in the Utah Legislature by winning Ken Bischoff's Weber County Commission spot, but Ogden Councilwoman Amy Wicks is providing a Democratic challenger.
First-time candidates Republican John Ulibarri for assessor and Democrat Dee Smith for attorney are running unopposed.
A complete list of candidates who have filed is available at the clerk/auditor's office or at www1.co.weber.ut.us/Clerk_Auditor/Election.
Now the parties are faced with getting ready for caucuses on Tuesday.
Weber County Republican Party Chairman Matthew Bell said his party has seen a big increase in the number of caucus locations, with 154 this year.
"We've got caucuses in locations we haven't held a caucus in for years and years," he said.
He attributed the increased participation to dissatisfaction with national politics.
Both Weber County Democratic Party Chairman Steve Olsen and Weber County Constitution Party Chairman Matthew Anderson said participation in caucuses is very important.
Olsen said he encourages as many people as possible to get involved so more people have a say in who their leaders are.
"This is where we choose delegates and, in many cases, choose candidates that will appear on the ballot," Anderson said. "If people wait until a November general election, sometimes there aren't the choices that we wish we had."
Anderson said that, because the Constitution Party is a still-growing third party, those who come to the caucuses have a great opportunity to get involved with and shape its direction.
Residents should understand that participation in a third party is valuable, Anderson said. People can create change in politics by aligning themselves with the party that most fits their beliefs, because that attracts the attention of politicians and influences policy.
Olsen said although Utah Democrats do not win as often as they would like, the Ogden area still has a strong Democratic tradition and candidates do well.
"We have not lost our roots," he said. "Even if they don't win, we need to have that choice, and luckily we do."
Learn more
Check these Web sites for March 23 caucus information:
* Constitution Party: www.cputah.org
* Democratic Party: www.weberdemocrats.org
* Republican Party: www.wcrgop.org
* Weber County elections page: www.co.weber.ut.us/Clerk_Auditor/Election
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