McAdams resigns from Legislature; crowded f..

Politics • List of Democrats includes Corroon, Dabakis, Jenny Wilson.

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Salt Lake County Mayor-elect Ben McAdams resigned his seat in the Utah Senate on Tuesday as contenders lined up to replace the Salt Lake City Democrat.

"My association with the senators and representatives has been wonderful and I look forward to a continued association and hope that our paths will cross again in some capacity," McAdams wrote in a letter hand-delivered to Senate President Michael Waddoups.

McAdams will serve the remainder of his term. His resignation takes effect Jan. 7, 2013.

The field of Democrats seeking to replace him in the Legislature includes several power players in Democratic politics.

Retiring Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon (whom McAdams is succeeding), Utah Democratic Party Chairman Jim Dabakis, former Salt Lake County Democratic Party Chairman Weston Clark and former Salt Lake County Councilwoman Jenny Wilson have filed for the opening.

So have outgoing state Rep. Brian Doughty, former Equality Utah Executive Director Will Carlson and Robert Comstock, a schoolteacher and former Salt Lake City mayoral candidate.

The county party has planned a special election on Dec. 1 where delegates in the Senate district will choose the replacement, who will be formally appointed by the governor.

Robert Gehrke

McAdams resigns from Legislature; crowded field vying for spot