Gov. Herbert gets a challenger as GOP looks to 2016

SANDY — Overstock.com Chairman Jonathan Johnson used Saturday's state GOP convention to formally announce he is running for governor against fellow Republican Gov. Gary Herbert.

Because Johnson contributed $25,000 to the party through the new Chairman's Circle program, he was allowed to address the more than 2,000 delegates gathered at the South Towne Expo Center.

The most pressing business for the delegates to the annual convention was a vote on changes to the party's constitution deemed necessary to ensure there will be Republicans on the ballot in 2016.

Their approval allows the party to comply with SB54, a controversial law that limits the power of delegates to nominate candidates by creating an alternative way to earn a place on the primary election ballot, gathering voter signatures.

The law passed by the 2014 Legislature had divided the party, with Utah GOP Chairman James Evans initially saying there was little chance it could be done in time for the upcoming election.

But after the party lost its bid for a preliminary injunction against the law earlier this year, Republicans have moved toward compliance. While there was debate on the issue Saturday, the four amendments were approved with a single vote.

The support came after assurances from Evans the party will continue its legal battle to restore the strength of the state's unique caucus and convention system, altered as a compromise with backers of the Count My Vote initiative.

And nearly 1,000 delegates had already participated in a conference call earlier this week to discuss the details of registering with the state as what's known as a qualified political party, still able to advance candidates.

What wasn't on the convention agenda was Johnson's announcement.

"I am ready to lead the state of Utah. I'm making it official I want to be Utah's next governor," Johnson said after taking several jabs at the governor, including the timing of his order late Friday stopping Utah from distributing federal funds to Planned Parenthood.

"Leadership isn't just cheerleading or high performance ratings. Leadership isn't taking action the day before facing Republican delegates on something we should have taken action on weeks or months or years ago," Johnson said.

Herbert, who took office six years ago and has been reelected twice, did not talk about the 2016 race in his convention speech. Later, the governor told reporters this is a "year to govern. Campaigning is a 2016 issue."

He said his action against Planned Parenthood, made public late Friday afternoon, was "the right thing to do based on the culture of Utah, based on what’s taken place on the national level."

The governor said he didn't tell delegates about it because he was not "trying to make (Planned Parenthood) into some kind of a political football. Others may be trying to but not me."

Points he did make to delegates included the strength of the state's economy, the need for more state control and his support for the policies of former President Ronald Reagan.

"I'm a Reagan Republican," the governor said to applause. "As far as I'm concerned, you could do away with the federal Department of Education."

Herbert was also listed among those contributing $25,000 to the party, as was Utah's two Republican senators, Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee; Rick Votaw, who later lost his race for state party vice chairman; and Energy Solutions.