Utah Democrats Make Statehouse Gains In Salt Lake's Suburbs

Utah Democrats are cheering pickups in the Legislature that, while nowhere close to a majority, will pad their slim ranks.

As of Wednesday morning, Democrats held solids leads in three House districts — H.D. 10, 32 and 44 — and Senate District 8 in Cottonwood Heights and Holladay.

In three other House Districts, Republican incumbents held on by just a few hundred votes. In Weber County’s House District 8, Democratic candidate Deana Froerer led Republican Steve Waldrip by just 35 votes.

“We’ve targeted 10 or 12 seats for some real intensive resources and hard work,” said Utah House Minority Leader Brian King on Tuesday night. “I’m cautiously optimistic.”

If results hold, that means Democrats could make up as much 20 percent of the Utah House and Senate with 15 representatives and six Senators.

The gains were made in key suburban districts that Democrats had long had their eye on, including Sandy, Cottonwood Heights and Midvale.


http://www.kuer.org/post/utah-democrats-make-statehouse-gains-salt-lake-s-suburbs#stream/0