By Nicole Seymour
Tuesday, June 22, marks the end of the Republican showdown as the primary elections determine the party''s gubernatorial candidate. Constituents gathered at the Candidate Forum Saturday in Provo however, found opponents Nolan Karras and Jon Huntsman''s running mate, Gary Herbert, embracing like the long-time friends that they are.
As part of final efforts before the primary elections, the Republican Party sponsored the intimate gathering at Pioneer Park. This provided the public an opportunity to meet with several political candidates and current representatives for both local and state seats on a one-on-one basis.
Regardless of the winners of the primary elections, the party insisted it will remain united.
'Whichever candidate wins, we will be a solidified party,' Karras said. 'And that''s because we have values that we all care about.'
Though Karras and Huntsman both boast platforms that focus on rejuvenating the economy and improving education, their approaches to the issues differ.
Huntsman distributes freely to the public a 40-page booklet listing out his approach to economy-related issues---from tax reform to education to access to natural resources---painstakingly in a 10-point font. By January, Herbert said, the plan will have most of the details worked out.
'Huntsman is the only candidate who was willing to come up with a plan,' Herbert said. 'Everybody else says, ''If I''m elected, just trust me--- I''ll do something good for job growth, for economic revitalization.'''
Karras on the other hand, sees Huntsman''s hard-copied plan as a good effort, but more of a compilation of past economic plans.
'I''ve been actually reluctant to put a plan out saying this is how we''ll do it because I don''t want to repeat some of the things and I thought well, what''s the point?' Karras said. 'I''d like to set up some principles, workings with small companies, working inside the state, and then we''ll write down what we''ll specifically do.'
The main focus for Karras is on, 'rethinking, refocusing and redefining' in the most efficient and productive manner and by using his position of governor to help various parties to work together
Huntsman also is seeking the input of special interest groups throughout the state to provide input on and solidify the details of his plan, Herbert said.
Among Karras'' other objectives, are a transparent budget where tax payers are aware of where all money is distributed and in re-aligning college and university curriculums with actual careers.
Huntsman''s campaign centers on thinking outside of the box. Herbert provided examples of such creative thinking by referring to making use of private donors with vested interest in education and having The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints assist in tourism efforts.
In terms of account of the state''s funds, Ed Alder, state treasurer seeking re-election said since his original campaign for treasurer, Utah has been ranked the No. 1 financially best-managed state in all of the country by several publications and he attributed that fact to a strong republican backing.
'We have a track record of excellence now that comes from our republican values, which everyone has spoken of, because we believe in balanced budgets, we believe in responsibility, we believe in hard work and we''ve been able to achieve that as a republican team,' Alder said.
While Huntsman''s running mate, Herbert, and Karras speak highly of one another, Tuesday''s election will determine who the party will whole-heartedly support for November''s election. Voters were encouraged to exercise their right to vote and to encourage their neighbors to also vote by Herbert and other candidates in an effort to raise relatively low voting rates.
'Whoever wins on Tuesday, we''re going to regroup, we''re going to unite behind and we''re going to do everything we can to elect a good republican team so that we can keep this state on top,' Alder said.