Candidates for Legislative District 25 Debate

[From the personal blogs –Carrie]

This is a quick, totally subjective report on the debate between Christine Johnson and Josh Ewing for the seat in Legislative District 25, which was held at the Salt Lake City Library last night.

The primary on June 27th will decide which of these two Democratic Candidates will go to the November election to face the Republican contender, Kenneth Grover.

I arrived late, so I missed the opening statements and some of the audience questions. (I later was able to hear the opening statements on a rebroadcast on KCPW).

I arrived in time to hear a reference to "percentage of homosexuality and heterosexuality" of a candidate in a question from a Christine Johnson supporter, within a question to Josh Ewing about his ability to be a Legislator if he is a lobbyist.

Two questions in particular to Christine Johnson from Josh Ewing supporters were equally pointed. One man noted that since Ms. Johnson had, less than a year ago, voted in a district which is not the one in which she is running, she is open to not being seated in the Legislature if she wins. He stated that the Utah Legislature has the right to deny seating someone, which he is concerned that they would do if Ms. Johnson were to win.

Another man, who was also a supporter of Josh Ewing, asked Ms. Johnson about the issue in which Summit County Democratic Party Chairman Rob Weyher has been accused of offering Josh Ewing money to drop out of the Legislative race against Ms. Johnson.

( "The Salt Lake County district attorney has charged Weyher with prohibited elections activity, a class B misdemeanor."
(Salt Lake Tribune, 6/16/06))

I think both candidates handled themselves well during the debate.

Mr. Ewing was erudite and articulate, calling upon his extensive experience in government, his involvement with campaigns for Mayor Corroon, Jenny Wilson, and working with the Salt Lake City government.

Ms. Johnson responded calmly to the questions, and kept "on message" that she is a strong supporter of education, diversity, and has support from the grassroots. She addressed the multiple endorsements that Josh Ewing has received by stating that "endorsements don't make a candidate..."

Both candidates had supporters in the audience, seated like guests at a wedding on "his and her" sides of the aisles.

The closing statements followed the candidates opening statements. Ms. Johnson stressing her own experiences as a single mom, having to deal with the "welfare" system, volunteering in the public schools as an advocate, and her grass roots support.

Mr. Ewing talked about his plans for listening and talking with all his constituents, his goals for supporting education and the environment. He emphasized his skills in government and communication.

*****
Johnathan Brown, a KCPW reporter who has moved to Utah fairly recently, is generally an excellent reporter. I have observed him doing interviews at several political rallies in Salt Lake City, and at the Capital during the Legislative session. He has a great radio voice, and was doing a decent job as a moderator of the debate until he stepped out of his role of moderator and made a snide remark to Mr. Ewing after the question about Summit county Chair Rob Weyher was asked.

"Well, a lot of Ewing supporters here, Josh, are they 'plants'?" (paraphrased)

Although Josh Ewing shook his head no, the radio listeners didn't get an opportunity for an answer, nor did they get to hear an apology which, in my opinion, Mr. Ewing deserved.

I talked to Johnathan Brown after the debate and told him that I thought his comment was inappropriate. He replied that he thought the questions were inappropriate.

I think he might have seen the point I was attempting to make, which was that, as a moderator he needed to let the audience make their own decision as to the appropriateness of the questions.

*****
When I stopped by Democratic State Headquarters this a.m. a couple of people who were there asked me "who won" the debate. That's funny. Do people really "win" political debates? John Kerry clearly won his debates with W, but W won the election...go figure.

And here is an understatement...it will be fascinating to see who is chosen by the Democratic voters on Tuesday...and what will happen vis a vis the charges against Chairman Weyher, and if Ms. Johnson wins, if the Republican Majority in the house will do as predicted and refuse to seat her...