PRIDE in Utah

Posted By Eric Ethington (Author) on April 12, 2012

This was not an easy decision for me. This year we have two incredibly strong Democratic candidates for Salt Lake County Mayor who I admire and respect a great deal. But after months of consideration, I finally came down on one side.

I have known both Senator Ben McAdams and Senator Ross Romero personally for years, and hold the utmost respect for their incredible work as elected officials in Utah. But after long consideration, I’ve come to the conclusion that Senator McAdams is the stronger candidate for 2012.

The 2012 election is not going to be an easy one for Utah Democrats. The eventuality of having (for the first time) a member of the Mormon church on the Republican side of the presidential ballot is all but inevitable, and Democrats in the Beehive State need to bring their A-game. Winning is not an impossibility, as some doomsday criers are predicting. But there is no question that it will require Democrats around the state to step up together, put our best candidates forward, and work together to show the people of Utah why it is the Democrats who represent the true values of our state.

Leadership, transparent government, community, fairness and justice. These are qualities and principles of Utah, and ones which  I have found most reflected in Ben McAdams. It was his ability to work with a city government which  passed the first non-discrimination laws in Utah, and his diplomatic prowess which then protected those laws from being overturned by hostile legislators. It was Ben who moved Trax projects forward, and who became one of the few Democrats on the Hill to pass nearly as many bills as the Republicans. It was Ben who has shown an unflinching, and unwavering commitment to the citizens of Utah, willing to speak out for the downtrodden even when he knew there was a possibility of kick-back from the GOP. It was Ben who, more than almost any other, has proven capable of bring together Democrats and Republicans to achieve the best solutions for Utahns.

That is what it’s going to take if we want to keep Salt Lake County blue. A steadfast commitment to your principles, backed by an unmatched ability to shepherd your initiatives forward by bringing unlikely supporters together.

As a proud liberal, a community activist and Chair of the Utah State Progressive Caucus, I’m honored to lend my endorsement to Senator Ben McAdams for Salt Lake County Mayor.

Mayor Peter Corroon’s leadership and effectiveness over the past 8 years has been remarkable, and has left a legacy to be safeguarded and treasured. We cannot afford to lose that seat in 2012, and I believe Ben is the candidate who can keep us on the path towards a better Utah.

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