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The two Democrats contending for their party's nomination in the June 26 primary for Utah's District 8 Senate seat concur on one thing — the slot desperately needs to remain in the minority party's hands.
While they might see eye-to-eye on several issues, candidates Ty McCartney and Josie Valdez each will claim to be the better candidate to advance to the November general election, where the Democratic primary victor faces off against Republican challenger Brian Shiozawa.
McCartney, 40, resides in Cottonwood Heights with his wife, Elaine, and two daughters, Gabby and Ana. After serving in law enforcement for 14 years, he now runs a small sales consulting business called Western Strategic Solutions.
"I've proven to be electable in a swing district," McCartney said, "and have proven to be effective working with a super-majority Legislature when I'm in the minority."
McCartney was elected to the Utah House of Representatives three times, serving from 2001 to 2005. He exited midway through his third term to take a job under then-Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson.
He touts accomplishments during his legislative service that include the closing of sentencing loopholes that allowed criminals inappropriate early release, expanding restrictions to block violent felons from obtaining firearms, and directing an extra $200,000 toward the low-income HEAT assistance program.
From 2001 to 2008, Republican Carlene Walker held the Senate 8 seat; Democrat Karen Morgan wrested it away in 2009. Morgan, who served in the state House of Representatives from 1999 to 2008, retires at the end of this year to spend more time with her grandchildren.
"If the seat isn't won by a Democrat, only five will serve in the senate," McCartney said. "It's very important that we keep it Democratic."
While Democrats seem nigh to endangered in Utah's 104-member Legislature — seven serve in the 29-member Senate, 17 in the 75-member House — women of either political stripe are even more rare, with five in the Senate and 12 in the House.
Valdez, 64, was Bob Springmeyer's running mate in his unsuccessful 2008 gubernatorial bid against the widely popular Jon Huntsman Jr. She has not held office before but has been active in the Democratic Party for years and has served on several community boards, including the Governor's Advisory Council on Hispanic Affairs, the United Way, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Utah Women for Building Community.
A former assistant director of Utah's office of the U.S. Small Business Administration, the now-retired Valdez is married to Rep. Mark Wheatley, who has served in the state Legislature since 2005. They have raised two sons and have three grandchildren.
"There is a tremendous need for representation of women on Capitol Hill," Valdez said. "It's important for the voting public to realize that as active women, we are leaders of our homes in partnership with our husbands and have always had a voice in the direction of our homes and communities."
McCartney names quality public education as his top priority, viewing it as the cornerstone to richer lives and a strong economy.
"I have a fifth- and seventh-grader in classrooms of 38 and 42 students," McCartney said. "Everyone gets mediocre help even though teachers are trying to do their best."
Valdez would also work to increase education funding and lower class sizes "so our children can receive more personal attention in the classrooms." She also pledges to focus on issues affecting families, including work, health, clean air, civility and laws that affect children.
Both candidates enjoy strong Democratic support, running neck-and-neck in the party's Salt Lake County nominating convention in April.
McCartney's backers include current Senate 8 seatholder Karen Morgan, Sen. Pat Jones and Rep. Carol Spackman Moss. Valdez is endorsed by Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker, Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon, Sen. Ben McAdams — who seeks to replace the retiring Corroon — gubernatorial candidate Peter Cooke, Salt Lake County Sheriff Jim Winder and other active Salt Lake Valley Democrats.
Both candidates plan to canvass neighborhoods and spend about $10,000 on mailings and other campaign materials over the next few weeks.
Early primary voting is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays June 4-22 at the Salt Lake County Clerk's office, and at several other locations from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays June 12-22. The polls are open on primary election day, June 26, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
twitter: @catmck —
June 26 Democratic Primary
Senate District 8 encompasses parts of Murray, Midvale, Cottonwood Heights and a bit of Holladay.
Ty McCartney and Josie Valdez vie for the Democratic nomination. The winner will go up against Republican Brian Shiozawa in November.