Democratic
candidates for governor, congress meet Tremonton voters
MEET THE CANDIDATES:
Elder County Commission candidate Eli Anderson, left,
joined 1st Congressional District candidate Morgan Bowen,
center, and gubernatorial candidate Bob Springmeyer
at a question-and-answer session, hosted by the Box
Elder County Democratic Party, Wednesday night in Tremonton.
/ Photo by Dave Archer
By Dave
Archer
October 10, 2008 | TREMONTON -- Although Box Elder
County, much like the rest of Utah, is known for its
conservative values and predominantly Republican voter
base, it was leaders from the other significant party
who made a stop in Tremonton Wednesday night.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bob Springmeyer
and 1st Congressional District candidate Morgan Bowen
were the featured guests at a question and answer session,
hosted by the Box Elder County Democratic Party. The
session featured questions from a number of Bear River
High School government students in attendance.
Springmeyer first gave an introduction, and answered
a student's question as to why he would be a better
fit in the governor's office than current Utah governor
Jon Huntsman, Jr. Springmeyer pointed to the fact that
he feels he relates better with the average voter, saying
he knows what it's like to walk in their shoes.
"I know what it's like to have a mortgage, I know
what it's like to have credit card debt, I know what
it's like to try and put your kids through college,"
Springmeyer said.
He also listed a number of areas that he would focus
on should he be elected in the upcoming general election
in November.
"I call myself the good education, good jobs, good
health, good government, clean air and clean water candidate,"
he said. "I'll stand up to the Legislature, and I'll
get more funding for education."
Bowen, a resident of Hyde Park, also discussed his
background and why he decided to run. He was quick to
point out that he is employed as an LDS Seminary teacher,
and his decision to run for office as a Democrat had
no effect on his job or status within his church.
"[The LDS Church] was very supportive of my decision
to run, actually," Bowen said.
He also talked about what he felt were a number of
problems in Washington and issues that were important
to him, such as helping to find solutions to the nation's
energy and financial crises.
"Someone's got to stand up for the people instead
of the corporations on Wall Street running this country
into the ground," he said. "I'm not going to represent
a party in Washington, I'm going to represent the people
of Utah in Washington."
Both Bowen and Springmeyer acknowledged that they
face an uphill battle in a predominately Republican
state, but are confident they can win in November.
"I think (voters) are ready for a change," Bowen said.
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