CACHE COUNTY – In the final minutes of the filing period on Sept. 4, the already crowded GOP special election race to replace outgoing County Executive David Zook got even more complicated.
While newcomer Matt Carey withdrew from that competition after only one day as a candidate, local banker and attorney George Daines joined the race by the skin of his teeth just moments before the filing period closed at 5 p.m.
Daines will now compete with previously announced candidates Dirk Anderson, Craig Anhder, Rhyan Dockter, Mark Hurd, Stephanie Miller, and Micah Safsten.
Daines is chairman of the Cache Valley Bank and a partner in the local law firm of Daines & Jenkins, LLP. He is also a former county attorney for Cache County, having served in that role from 2002 to 2009.
A lifelong resident of Cache Valley, Daines has signaled his intent to bring fiscal discipline and new leadership to the Cache County government.
In mid-August, Zook announced that he would retire from public service effective Monday, Sept. 8.
The Republican Special Election will be held at Ridgeline High School in Millville. The candidate open house and credentialing will open at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 11, with the meeting coming to order at 6:30 PM.
The winner of the county special election will serve out the unexpired term of the former county executive until December of 2026.
Members of the public are invited to attend the Special Election on Sept. 11, but under GOP bylaws only members of the Cache County Republican Party Central Committee, precinct officers and county delegates will be able to cast ballots.
Additional information about all candidates can be found at www.cachegop.com
Ridgeline High School is located at 180 North, 300 West in Millville.