Kurt Bestor to Perform a Benefit Concert for Utah County Democrats
Written by Richard Davis
Tuesday, 15 July 2008
Kurt Bestor will perform a benefit concert for the Utah County Democratic Party on Friday, August 22, at 7:30 p.m., at the Centre Stage theater in the Sorensen Student Center at UVU.
"We're very excited Kurt Bestor wants to help the party elect our candidates this year," said Richard Davis, county party chair. "This will be the major event for the county party's efforts to gather the necessary resources for the fall campaign. Please come and support the party and its candidates while listening to the beautiful music of Kurt Bestor."
Bestor, a popular Emmy-award winning Utah performer and composer, was raised in Orem. He is famous for his composition, "Prayer of the Children," and his theme for the 1988 Winter Olympics. He also has composed musical introductions for television programs. His Christmas concerts have become a popular tradition. He also is a delegate to the Democratic National Convention next month.
A limited number of tickets is available. Tickets are $100 per person and can be ordered online at http://www.actblue.com/page/bestorconcert or by contacting Kathy Cook, party secretary, at
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or (801) 356-0290. VIP Tickets that include a reception are available for $200.
Fundaising dinner a great success
Written by Richard Davis
Thursday, 03 July 2008
The county party's recent fundraising dinner was a great success. Scott Matheson delivered a stirring speech urging Utah County Democrats to press forward in changing politics in Utah County. Over 70 people attended and the party raised $2900.
My thanks go out to the fundraising committee. They organized the dinner and recruited people to attend. They have been instrumental in the party raising more funds needed to provide services and financial assistance to our candidates.
Pssst, buddy. Over here. Yeah, right here. Got a tip for you. Can't miss.
Next time you wanna sound smart talking to important people in Utah Valley, bring up the Democrats.
Whahhh?
Shhh! I know, I know, but keep your voice down. Seriously. Listen, what they've done this year is staggering.
So, say you find yourself talking to some Very Important Know-It-All and you're just dying to be the one who knows more just this once. You tell this story.
Two years ago, Utah County Democrats fielded a measly six candidates for 13 seats in the state Legislature.
That handful of hopelessness, er, hopefuls, raised a meager $26,000 when you subtract the personal loans made by one candidate.
The Republicans, in those six contested races alone, raised nearly 10 times more, $243,000.
Oh, and the Republicans won every seat from Utah Valley.
As usual.
But your buddy already knows that.
So far this year, things are dramatically different, and the Know-It-All you want to impress doesn't know how much.
He may have read that the Democrats have 13 candidates for 13 seats.
But there's no way he knows those Democrats have raised a stunning $125,245.
You read it here first.
And by the way, the Republicans have raised $131,059.
Former Gubernatorial Candidate Scott Matheson, Jr. to Keynote Party Fundraiser on June 27
Written by Nathan Hadfield
Tuesday, 10 June 2008
The Utah County Democratic Party will be holding a special fundraising dinner on Friday, June 27, at 6:30 PM at the Riverside Country Club in Provo (2701 N University Ave). Proceeds will be used to support the candidates running from Utah County.
Scott Matheson, Jr.
Scott Matheson, Jr., will be the keynote speaker. Matheson is a former Rhodes Scholar, graduate of Stanford, Oxford, and Yale, gubernatorial candidate, and son of the late Governor Scott Matheson.
Legislative candidates are making major efforts to be financially competitive with their Republican opponents. The county party is seeking to help these candidates obtain the necessary resources to run viable campaigns that allow them to get their message out to Utah County voters.
The cost for the fundraiser will be $75 per person. Richard Davis, county party chair, said the county party has probably never done this kind of fundraiser before.
This is a major act of faith on our part,” Davis admitted. “Will Democrats in Utah County be willing to put up $75 to attend a fundraising event to help elect Democrats in Utah County? We think so. This is the year when we can make a difference, and we invite Utah County Democrats to join us in this fundraiser to support the candidates who want to change Utah politics for the better.”
To obtain a ticket, contact Kathy Cook, party secretary, at
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.
The Convention was a success; now the hard work begins!
Written by Richard Davis
Monday, 09 June 2008
As the chair, I want to express my gratitude to all those who helped make our convention earlier this month such a success. The convention drew about 250 people.
Our keynote speaker, House Minority Leader Brad King, noted that the attendance was a major improvement over past conventions. It was the largest convention of Democrats in Utah County I’ve attended. Thanks to all who came and participated.
Special thanks to Larry Brown and the events committee co-chaired by Sara Jensen and Jenny Oman, as well as to Kristin Gerdy for staffing the main table in front of the hall.
You all might be interested to know that Jim Matheson indicated sometime ago that he wanted to be at the Utah County Convention. He had seen our progress in rejuvenating the party and wanted to participate. A special thank you to him for joining us at our convention.
Now that the convention is over, the hard work begins. The party or the candidates will be contacting Democrats across the county to help with campaigns and party efforts to support our candidates this November. Please give us some of your time, and your money, to help us between now and November.
As many of you know the “I’m Your Neighbor” ads have been running in the Daily Herald and the weeklies each Sunday. I’d be interested to hear of reaction you’ve received from others. Have they sparked any conversations between you and your neighbors about the Utah County Democratic Party? If you have anything to share, please send it to me at
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County Convention on May 3 -- Everyone is welcome!
The convention is an opportunity to meet our legislative candidates, hear from county and state candidates and officials, and mingle with fellow Democrats. Convention business will include election of a new party secretary, elections in two contested races for the state Legislature (Senate District 16 and House District 57), acceptance of the slate of party candidates, and reports on the party's status.
The convention is open to all. However, only registered Democrats are allowed to vote for the county offices, and only county delegates will be allowed to vote in the state legislative race contests.
The convention will begin with legislative district meetings at 9 a.m. followed by the general session at 10 a.m. The keynote speech at the general session will be delivered by House Minority Leader Brad King and a candidate for the state Senate from District 27, which includes the southern part of Utah County.
Kurt Bestor will perform a benefit concert for the Utah County Democratic Party on Friday, August 22, at 7:30 p.m., at the Centre Stage theater in the Sorensen Student Center at UVU. 
As the chair, I want to express my gratitude to all those who helped make our convention earlier this month such a success. The convention drew about 250 people. 
