CACHE COUNTY – Uncertainty over the “indefinite” nature of incumbent Cache County Attorney K. Taylor Sorensen’s continued tenure in that office prompted a number of challengers to file as candidates to replace him this week.
When Sorensen announced that he would not seek re-election on Jan. 5, rumors began flying through the local legal network that the incumbent would resign by the end of the month. If those rumors are accurate, that would trigger action by the Cache County Council to select a new interim county attorney.
During the filing period for candidates in the upcoming 2026 election that closed Jan. 8, local attorneys J. Brett Chambers, Dane Murray and Chris Daines signaled their intent to seek that possibly soon-to-be vacant office.
Typically, all three of those candidates filed as Republicans.
Chambers is a member of the local law firm of Harris, Preston & Chambers, LLC, where he previously made news representing Cliffside residents opposed to a controversial conditional use permit (CUP) granted by Logan City for a 12-person residential treatment facility in the upscale neighborhood.
A current member of county attorney’s staff, Murray has had an on- and off-again relationship with that office since May of 2015. During that time, he has served in various capacities including deputy county attorney and chief prosecutor. Murray also served as interim county attorney from November of 2022 to December of 2023, when he resigned to briefly pursue opportunities in the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.
Daines is a member of the law firm of Daines, Thomas and Smith Attorneys. He has been practicing since 1981 in the fields of family law, business litigation and real estate while residing in Texas, Idaho and Utah.
Cache County has experienced trouble retaining county attorneys in recent years.
James Swink left that post in July of 2021, after serving as county attorney for 12 years. Since that time, the revolving door in the county attorney’s office has claimed lawyers John Luthy in January of 2023 (who left for an appellate court appointment), Murray in December of 2023 and now Sorensen.
In his Jan. 5 announcement, Sorensen promised to fulfill his duties for the “indefinite period” of his remaining tenure in office and to do his utmost to ensure a smooth transition for the next officer-holder.