 Senate Minority Leader Pat Jones
Keynote speaker Pat Jones, Utah Senate Minority Leader, commended the candidates for their outstanding credentials and for winning more voters than any other Democratic candidates in Utah County in many years. She said their strength and courage has been a great inspiration to her and to other Democrats throughout the state. "You are my heroes," she said.
Senator Jones spoke about her own journey into politics. She said she chose to be a Democrat because she believes in the value of working together to promote the good of the community. Hers is a philosophically and fundamentally different viewpoint, she said, from many colleagues across the aisle who seem to want all but to eliminate government completely.
"I believe government has an important role in helping those who cannot help themselves," she said.
Jones feels many Utah Republican legislators are out of touch with their constituents. "I honestly believe we are the party that best represents the values of most Utahns," she said, particularly in issues like health care, education, and energy.  She believes the reason Utah County has had such poor voting turnout is that people are turned off by the political scene in Utah. She noted the tremendous popularity of Governor Huntsman, which she credits to his efforts to seek a moderate common ground.
Largely at fault, she believes, are incendiary conservative talk shows that obstruct productive political discourse. She said LDS leaders have personally acknowledged that such shows, broadcast on KSL radio, are a problem, but they contend that, contrary to the common misconception that KSL's programming decisions are endorsed by the Church, the station is an independent entity. Given the compelling financial incentive for these shows, it is unlikely they will be replaced until there is a business case for it.
Nevertheless, Senator Jones is optimistic that the tide is turning. She appealed to the candidates and the party to stand proud of their accomplishments and remain strong in their cause.
Also presenting at the dinner were county chair Richard Davis, vice-chair Larry Brown, and state party chair Wayne Holland.
Chair Davis discussed several trends showing that if Utah County Democrats maintain their momentum, they are poised to win at least one or two house seats in 2010 and several in 2012. Vice-Chair Brown emphasized the critical role of Utah County Democrats, as a minority party, in being vigilant against abuse by the majority party. He said the importance of this role was recently demonstrated when a member of the state Board of Regents attempted to coerce Ned Hill, former dean of the BYU Marriott School of Management, into formally apologizing to Republian legislators, in order to be considered for president of Utah Valley University, for allowing his wife Claralyn to campaign as a Democrat.  The party's demand for an investigation has resulted in the resignation of Joel Wright, the newest member of the board, but this has not satisifed the party's concerns. Such an outrageous disregard for ethics and state law deserves a thorough public investigation, Brown said. Unfortunately, the party's ability to pursue issues like this and bring them to public attention depends upon continuing financial support from party members. Brown said the party received unprecedented financial support in 2008, which enabled the "Vote the Person, Not the Party" campaign that resonated with many in Utah County who voted Democratic for the first time. He said the party will require the same level of support in order to sustain its momentum in the 2010 election. State Chair Holland commended the candidates and their supporters for their achievements and said that Utah County has become a powerful example to other counties throughout the state. "Everyone is watching Utah County," he said. Encouraging candidates to run again in 2010, he observed that Barack Obama received only 30% of the vote in the primary election when he ran for congress in 2000. "I'm sure glad he decided to run again," Holland said with a smile.
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