St. George Republicans pick Clark's replacement

St. George • V. Lowry Snow told members of the Washington County Republican Party on Thursday night that he stands for constitutional rights, Ronald Reagan's conservative values and appreciates the importance of experience.

That was enough for delegates in House District 74 to elect the St. George lawyer and businessman to fill the vacancy left by Rep. Dave Clark, who resigned last month to run for Congress in the 2nd District.

Snow touted his record of 30 years of service to St. George, including as a deputy county attorney. He has served on state and Washington County economic boards and is currently chairman of the Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission. He also started two technology businesses.

Snow is a former president of the Utah Bar Association and is a founding partner of the St. George firm of Snow Jensen & Reece. He practices real estate law, land use planning and telecommunications law.

Snow was vying for the position against Diane Adams, Pat Bradley and Bradley Root. Fifty-nine members of the district's central committee cast ballots; Snow received 38 votes.

Snow said he is pleased with how the state handles its fiscal responsibilities and wants to make sure the state has the projected $400 million surplus it claims it does.

He said he is also going to do what he can to support Dixie State College and study the Lake Powell pipeline proposal on which he has not taken a stand. More state control over public lands is also an issue with Snow.

"I have to go full steam to prepare for the session," said Snow.

Snow's name will be sent to the state party and then to Gov. Gary Herbert who will issue the formal appointment.

An emotional Clark told a crowded county commission chamber that serving in the Legislature has been "A blessing in my life."

Clark, a regional vice president with Zions Bank, resigned from the Legislature in December after serving nearly 11 years in the Utah Legislature, including time as majority leader and a term as House speaker. He was at the forefront of Utah's health reform efforts.

He noted that his tenure as speaker in 2009 and 2010 was the first time in 75 years someone from southern Utah held the post.

He hopes it won't be that long again before someone from the southern region is speaker.

Clark said he was pleased with Snow's selection.

"I have the greatest admiration for him," said Clark.

House District 74 has about 35,000 residents.

Robert Gehrke contributed to this story.