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Sometimes party lines don't matter.
Salt Lake County Councilman David Wilde, a Republican, announced Tuesday he will resign from his District 3 seat on Jan. 1.
He will go to work that day for county District Attorney Sim Gill, a Democrat, working on special projects and legislative issues. In doing so, Wilde will be eligible for health care benefits he will need as he wages a battle against cancer.
"Right now, I feel good. I hope I can last for many years," said Wilde, 57, an attorney, who withdrew from the race for mayor of Murray on Aug. 26 after being informed that his prostate cancer was spreading aggressively.
"I learned that these benefits, particularly health care through the county, are very important," he added. "Who knows what [costs] may be in my future?"
One of four men who have been on the council since its inception in 2001 (along with Jim Bradley, Michael Jensen and Randy Horiuchi), Wilde said he regretted having to resign and leave his council colleagues and county employees.
"I will sure miss the opportunity to be in this position and to have some say-so on what goes on in the county," he added. "I've loved the past 13 years, for the most part. … My opportunity to serve as an elected official has been one of the highlights of my life, something I will always be grateful for."
Speaking on behalf of the council, Chairman Steve DeBry called Wilde a "mentor" and wished him the best. "We love you and thank you for your service," DeBry added.
After Wilde's resignation becomes official Jan. 1, Salt Lake County Republican Party delegates will select a replacement to serve the last year of his term.
District 3 is in the center of the Salt Lake Valley, encompassing parts of Murray, Taylorsville, West Valley City, South Salt Lake and west Millcreek in the unincorporated county.