Image supplied, Davis County Republican Party

WEST POINT — Davis County Republicans have launched the search for candidates to replace Utah Rep. Paul Ray, the Clearfield lawmaker who’s to step down to take a position with the Utah Department of Human Services.

The filing period started Friday and will go through 5 p.m. next Wednesday. Ray will step down effective Dec. 15 and his replacement will serve the rest of his term, through 2022.

To file, candidates must be registered Republicans and must have lived within the District 13 boundaries for at least six months. District 13 sits in northern Davis County and covers portions of Clearfield, West Point, Sunset and Clinton.

Ray is in his 10th term as the District 13 representative. He’ll leave the post to take over as assistant director of legislative affairs in the DHS, which administers a range of social services geared to those in foster care, kids facing abuse, substance abusers and others. He’ll also step down from his job as chief executive officer of the Northern Wasatch Home Builders Association.

Those interested in replacing Ray should email declarations of their candidacies to Daniela Harding, chairperson of the Davis County party, at danielahardingutah@gmail.com and Patrick Russo, the party secretary, at russo.dcrp@gmail.com, according to a post on the party Facebook page. Harding and Russo will also field any questions.

Photo supplied, Utah Department of Human Services

A convention to select a replacement is scheduled for Dec. 18 at West Point Junior High in West Point starting at 9 a.m. Gov. Spencer Cox would sign off on any pick.

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