(KCPW News) Salt Lake County Mayor-elect Ben McAdams’ state senate seat isn’t even cold yet and already several prominent Democrats are lining up to take the chair. Utah Democratic Party Chair Jim Dabakis, former Salt Lake County Council member Jenny Wilson, and outgoing Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon have all publicly declared interest in the position. Dabakis says the District 2 seat is one of the prime seats in the state senate.
“It is traditionally a very strong Democratic seat. The person who fills that seat has the ability to say things and to explain to the vast majority of Republicans there things that other senators in less Democratic seats can’t say,” says Dabakis.
Dabakis added that there is a better opportunity to accomplish his goals as the party chair if he is also serving as an elected official. He puts education, air quality, and accountability in government as the issues at the top of his list.
Jenny Wilson has been out of politics since leaving the Salt Lake County Council in 2010, but says she has missed the engagement in the community that comes with public service. She says she would like to continue the legacy Ben McAdams was able to build in District 2.
“I think it’s important that we have somebody there that will form coalitions, bridge build, be aggressive at times, Democrats have to be on occasion, and really work to advance progressive issues,” says Wilson.
Wilson’s priority list also includes air quality, job creation, and protecting the area’s canyons.
Once McAdams officially resigns his senate seat, District 2 delegates will elect someone to finish his term. District 2 covers a large portion of Salt Lake City, including the avenues and the University of Utah.
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