Rep. Carl Wimmer steps down

Three-term state representative Carl Wimmer of Legislative District 52 announced on Jan. 4 that he would resign effective Jan. 16. He previously announced his intention to seek the open fourth U.S. Congressional seat. The new federal seat was formed as a result of the 2010 U.S. Census and recent state redistricting efforts.

”We don’t have the financial resources to suspend fund raising for the two months of the state legislative session and after much consideration, we decided to step down,” Wimmer said. Utah law prohibits donors from giving campaign contributions to state legislators while they are in session.

The State Legislature is meeting in general session from Jan. 23 to March 8.

“The decision was a difficult one, but in order to be absolutely free of any questions on fund raising I have found it necessary to resign. The race will be a hard-fought campaign and we’ll need all the financial support possible to be able to remain competitive,” he said.

His resignation created a vacancy in the state legislature that initiated a special election process. The process was conducted through the Salt Lake County Republican Party Jan. 19 in Riverton.

The party called for a special election after the notification by Wimmer, according to County Chair Julie Dole. Dole conducted the proceedings with the county delegates from District 52. In special session, they decisively elected Dan McCay in the first round from a field of six candidates as the next representative from the current boundaries.

The election was conducted with ‎79 county delegates from District 52 in attendance out of a possible 101. Dan McCay received 43 votes (54.53 percent);Josh Mills 24 votes (30.38percent); Darren Park six votes (7.59 percent); Corbin White three votes (3.8 percent); Kurtis Constantine three votes (3.8 percent) and Matthew Robison received no votes.

McCay was sworn in on Jan. 23 to fill the remainder of the term representing District 52.

Immediately after this year’s legislative session “the new redistricting boundaries will apply for the November 2012 general election to seat representatives for the 2013 legislative session,” Dole said.

McCay lives in Riverton which will be incorporated into Legislative District 41 effective March 9 for the next election cycle, leaving District 52 as an open seat for the Nov. 6 general election. He will continue to serve as the representative for District 52 until January 2013 when the results of this year’s elections will take effect.