LAYTON -- Like a Sinatra song, Republican House nominees Brad Wilson and Jim Nielson will do things their way should voters elect them this fall.
The political newcomers, who captured the GOP nomination Tuesday, are trying to replace Majority Leader House District 15 Rep. Doug Aagard, R-Kaysville, and longtime House District 19 Rep. Sheryl Allen, R-Bountiful, respectively.
The pair are hoping to accomplish the feat without feeling intimidated by those whose shoes they will be stepping into at the state Capitol.
"I think I will find my own path," said Nielson, who is seeking House Seat 19 serving Bountiful and a portion of Woods Cross.
Nielsen, an admitted conservative, said he has been friends with Allen for more than a decade, but views the two of them as being "different people."
Allen, who has held House Seat 19 since 1994, opted not to seek re-election to the House. Instead, she has joined Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon on the Democratic gubernatorial ticket as his lieutenant governor running mate.
Nielson is a 51-year-old architect and small-business owner who captured the GOP nomination by defeating Republican opponent Ben Horsley in the Tuesday primary by garnering more than 59 percent of the vote.
He said he views filling the seat currently held by Allen as a non-issue.
Nielson will face Democrat Richard Watson and Reldon C. White, of the Constitution Party, in the Nov. 2 general election.
Although a Democratic candidate has not won a partisan race in Davis County for nearly two decades, Nielson vows he will not take Watson lightly.
"I look forward to debating him," he said.
Nielson is not the only Tuesday winner stepping into familiar shoes.
Wilson, who captured the GOP nomination for House Seat 15, appears to be the heir apparent to Aagard, who opted not to seek re-election. Aagard began his legislative service in 2000.
Wilson, 41, president of Destination Homes, based in Layton, captured almost 55 percent of the vote in his contest with area businessman Jory Francis. The Kaysville resident now faces Democrat Sherri Tatton, of Layton, in the general election.
"We're not going to take anything for granted, and we are going to work hard in the fall," Wilson said about being the favorite heading into the fall contest.
However, filling Aagard's shoes won't be as easy.
"I don't think you can fill (Aagard's) shoes," Wilson said. Aagard is one of those lawmakers who has quietly done his work.
"You just don't run into anyone who doesn't like (Aagard)," Wilson said.
Nonetheless, Wilson said, although he and Aagard share similar philosophical and ideological views, he will be his own person if elected this fall.
"I hope after I have served for eight or 10 years, they will describe me with the same words people now describe (Aagard)."
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