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Salt Lake Mayoral Candidate Ralph Becker Meets with Bloggers

By Tracy Medley, 3-14-07

Salt Lake City’s imminent mayoral race is already bloated with candidates hoping to fill the shoes of current mayor and cause celeb Rocky Anderson.

According to the Deseret Morning News and The Salt Lake Tribune County Councilwoman Jenny Wilson, yes- spawn of former, beloved SLC mayor Ted Wilson is already touting some fairly predictable endorsements from county colleagues; Mayor Peter Corroon, Joe Hatch and Randy Horiuchi. Likewise City Councilman Keith Christensen, a Republican got an early endorsement months ago from Rocky himself.

While Wilson and Christensen have some significant backing from their political associates, one candidate, state Rep. Ralph Becker has taken to courting/consulting Utah’s blogosphere.

Becker is the first mayoral candidate to tap into the interwebs, holding a “Blogger Reception” Tuesday night at his rather lovely campaign headquarters in downtown Salt Lake City. Becker hoped to discuss issues and essentially pick the brains of Utah’s political bloggerati and he probably got more than he asked for (in a good way). Those bloggers in attendance (including yours truly) were eager to share their thoughts on a range of issues from the revitalization of Salt Lake’s downtown to environmental concerns; from liquor laws to childcare.

Ask a blogger a question and they will give you an answer.

If Pete Ashdown’s Senatorial campaign last November is any indication, Becker is on the right track. Ashdown proved that techno-blabbers and virtual-social networkers– can be a candidate’s best friend. Even though Ashdown lost his bid against Orrin Hatch, he won the hearts of Utah’s most politically apathetic and allusive age group – not an easy accomplishment, but an enviable one.

Jenny Wilson and Keith Christensen will debate Wednesday at 11a.m. at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics. The debate will be broadcast live on RadioWest KUER FM90.

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