Democratic gubernatorial candidate Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon, by reaching across the aisle for a lieutenant governor running mate, is pleasing his own party members but leaving some Republican leaders curious about what voter reaction will be.
Corroon announced Monday that Rep. Sheryl Allen, R-Bountiful, will be his running mate in his challenge of Republican Gov. Gary Herbert and Lt. Gov. Greg Bell, also of Davis County.
"I chose Allen, not because of her political party, but because of her qualifications as a state representative, her expertise in education policy and her collaborative approach to governing," Corroon said in an e-mail to the Standard-Examiner.
"Utahns are looking for leaders who will work across the political aisle to solve critical issues like jobs, the economy, education and quality of life," Corroon wrote.
Corroon's selection appears to have the support of local Democrats.
"There are so many issues in Utah that are nonpartisan," said former Democratic Davis County Chairman Richard Watson, who is now a Democratic candidate for House District 19 in Bountiful, the seat Allen holds.
Allen decided earlier this year not to seek re-election.
"I think Corroon is just trying to pick the right person," said Watson, who does not foresee Corroon's selecting a Republican causing any fallout within the state's Democratic Party.
"I think this is a good way to bring moderates together," he said.
Corroon said he believes most Utah residents are more politically moderate than the candidates Republican delegates have been nominating.
"We're seeing sometimes parties are leaving the citizens behind -- they're leaving the moderate representatives behind," he said.
"Public education is another good reason to choose her," Watson said of Allen.
There will be issues in public education Allen will be able to address, he said of the former Davis School Board president and current foundation director for Davis School District.
Allen said Monday she would resign her foundation post at the end of the month to focus on the campaign full time.
However, despite Davis County residents' longtime support of Allen as one of their lawmakers, with Davis County being the Republican stronghold it is, GOP leaders do not see the party giving any ground locally to the Corroon/Allen ticket.
"I had heard (Corroon) was going in a bipartisan way," said Davis GOP Chairwoman Shirley Bouwhuis.
Bouwhuis said a Republican running on a Democratic ticket typically would think twice about doing that because of a concern of alienating the Republican base.
Corroon's selection of Allen may also alienate members of the Democratic Party, Bouwhuis said.
"I can't answer for everybody. I can't answer for the people that (have voted for Allen in the past)," she said. "I am sure people are going to be upset, and there are those that will think it is a wonderful bipartisan effort."
But Allen defends her decision and reminds voters that her decision does not change her party spots.
"I have been a Republican for my entire life. I don't plan on switching parties now," Allen said in an e-mail to the Standard-Examiner.
"Sure, some Republicans or others may be upset, but this ticket is about preaching the gospel of bipartisanship and collaboration.
"I have served as a legislator for 16 years, and I believe we can do better. We can do better at providing a quality education for our children and creating jobs for Utah families."
"The mainstream voters, even if they're leaning Republican, are looking for a way to get out of this hyperpartisan ideological rhetoric," said Utah Democratic Party Chairman Wayne Holland. "This team is going to be very effective."
Corroon said their ticket shows how serious they are about putting ideas and Utah families first -- not politics.
However, this is not the first time a Utah politician has been part of a bipartisan effort.
"It is not unheard of," Bouwhuis said.
Democratic President Obama selected former Utah Republican Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. to serve as ambassador to China, a call that Huntsman did accept, she said.
Bouwhuis said there is a need for parties to work together. But as a group, the Davis GOP will be supporting the party's gubernatorial nominee who comes out of its convention.
"I am always going to be supportive of the Republican ticket," said Bouwhuis, a self-described "Republican through and through."
In March, Allen said she wouldn't seek re-election because it was time to try something new.
In an interview, she said "never in a million years" would she have thought she would have appeared on the Democratic ticket, but she didn't hesitate to accept the offer when Corroon made it over dinner at a mutual friend's house last week.
"Sometimes doors open, and you can be shy and not go through them, or you can say, 'You know, the message is important. Let's roll.' "
Information from the Associated Press was used in this article.
Updated 12:34 a.m.
Corroon selects Allen as bipartisan running mate
LAYTON -- Davis County Republican leaders are not shocked Democratic gubernatorial candidate Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon has reached across the aisle to grab one of their own in longtime Republican lawmaker Sheryl Allen of Bountiful.
Corroon selected Allen as his lieutenant governor running mate Monday morning on a local radio show.
At a press conference in Salt Lake City, Allen said "Cooperation is more important than party politics. Utah needs to come first. I hope that becomes the trend, frankly, across the nation."
"I really want to preach the gospel of bipartisanship," she said.
The Republican reaction is the announced pairing of Corroon and Allen does create a ticket that is bipartisan.
But despite Davis County residents' longtime support of Allen over the years as one of their favorite lawmakers, Davis County being the Republican stronghold that it is, GOP leaders do not sense its party will be giving any ground to the Corroon/Allen ticket as it supports its own.
"I had heard (Corroon) was going in a bipartisan way," Davis County Republican chairwoman Shirley Bouwhuis said on Monday.
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