The Emery County Republican party held a meeting on Sept. 14 to vote for a commission candidate to replace Commissioner Keith Brady. After four ballots Kent Wilson was the candidate who will be recommended to the commission. In the fourth and final round Kirk Christiansen was in the top two.
Each of the 12 candidates were given a chance to address the central committee.
Wilson spoke to the central committee and attendees. “Thanks to my wife, I am grateful for her support. I’ve been involved in public service as well as private industry. I have a knowledge of what it takes. I have been in business in Huntington for 42 years. People have to make a choice. We have to be competitive. Our service has to be just right to compete against the chains. My father was a county commissioner. I watched him put in 50-60 hours per week, this isn’t a part-time job.
“If it’s part-time we will only manage what we have. Full time commitment leads. It takes time to develop relationships. My wife, Julie will take over the running of BKs. I will be here every day from 9-5 plus the meetings. I’ve had people say, Kent, I thought you were a democrat, but eight years ago, I walked away from the Democratic party. I have learned from you and I’ve been impressed.
“I have four children and they’ve all moved away. It’s personal,” said Wilson.
“Our county is at a crucial crossroads. We must plan and act now to be the force that determines where we are in 10-20 years. I want to lead our community in a positive growth focused direction and do the long hard work to make it happen. Now is the time to make our land issues a priority. Our President, congress and senate are Republican. Let’s take advantage of it. I am not afraid of complex difficult issues. I believe this wonderful county is worth the fight to ensure our future is what we want it to be.
After Wilson received the nomination he said, “I intend to honor the commitments I have made. I will try to accomplish and honor the trust you’ve given me. Thank you to everyone who signed up to run for commission. I love and respect all of you. We have a wonderful system of government and our county needs good leaders. I hope all of you go through the process to run again next year.
The approval will take place in the commission meeting on Sept. 19 at 3 p.m. Candidates who spoke included: Tracy Addley, Derek Beagley, Kirk Christiansen, Gil Conover, Jim Fauver, Tom Grimm, Delynn Fielding, Hilary Gordon, Randy Johnson, Russ Larsen, Les Wilberg and Kent Wilson.
After hearing from all the candidates and a question and answer session, the central committee voted. After the initial vote; four candidates were eliminated and then the voting went into round two where four more candidates were eliminated. Two were eliminated in the third round which left the names of Kent Wilson and Kirk Christiansen.
The central committee includes all precinct chairman and vice chairman, the executive committee of the Republican party, all elected officials of Emery County who are Republicans and the two commissioners Lynn Sitterud and Paul Cowley.
Kent Wilson will be the next commissioner
Kent Wilson