Richard Tafoya
Nov 19th, 2008, 12:38 PM
Salt Lake Tribune:
http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_11017228
Updated election results released Tuesday show that Salt Lake County voters favored Barack Obama over John McCain -- but just barely -- marking the first time in decades that a Democratic presidential hopeful won the state's most populous county.
...
"It is a huge step for us," said party Chairman Wayne Holland.
He has studied the major strides Democrats have made in surrounding western states like Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada, all of which went for Obama. Holland said the shift from Republican elected officials to Democrats only occurred after Democrats started winning in the major metro areas of Denver, Albuquerque and Las Vegas.
He said seeing Obama win Salt Lake County was "our grand hope."
And now that it has come true, he believes it will result in greater Democratic gains throughout the state.
"You will see this start the spread into the rural areas."
Salt Lake County Republican Chairman James Evans is far from convinced. He said Democrats have won in the county before, noting Scott Matheson claiming more votes than Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. in 2004, but that it hasn't resulted in Democrat gains throughout the state.
http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_11017228
Updated election results released Tuesday show that Salt Lake County voters favored Barack Obama over John McCain -- but just barely -- marking the first time in decades that a Democratic presidential hopeful won the state's most populous county.
...
"It is a huge step for us," said party Chairman Wayne Holland.
He has studied the major strides Democrats have made in surrounding western states like Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada, all of which went for Obama. Holland said the shift from Republican elected officials to Democrats only occurred after Democrats started winning in the major metro areas of Denver, Albuquerque and Las Vegas.
He said seeing Obama win Salt Lake County was "our grand hope."
And now that it has come true, he believes it will result in greater Democratic gains throughout the state.
"You will see this start the spread into the rural areas."
Salt Lake County Republican Chairman James Evans is far from convinced. He said Democrats have won in the county before, noting Scott Matheson claiming more votes than Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. in 2004, but that it hasn't resulted in Democrat gains throughout the state.