CACHE COUNTY – Just prior to the Nov. 3 election, Democrats here are celebrating what is viewed as the first break in monolithic loyalty to the local Republican Party.
In a social media post on Nov. 1, the Cache Democrats hailed County Executive George Daines’ endorsement of Democrat Allison Goulais over incumbent Republican JoAnn Bennett in the race for the Logan District 2 seat on the Cache County Council.
“In my opinion, despite her best efforts, (JoAnn Bennett) is ineffective and miscast to serve as a council member,” Daines wrote in a late October letter to local media. “I urge voters to elect her opponent.”
Daines goes on to explain that he has met with Ms. Goulais to explain the county’s needs.
“I am impressed with her energy, professional experiences and good judgment,” Daines wrote. “(Ms. Goulais) would be an effective council member.”
Daines last-minute call in the Logan District 2 race is the first time in recent memory that a county executive has endorsed a Democratic challenger for a seat on the Cache County Council.
Daines used to same letter to go on the record as wholeheartedly endorsing the candidacy of Sandi Goodlander, Kathryn Beus and Mark Hurd for re-election to their posts on Cache County Council.
He also endorsed lawmakers Casey Snider and Jason Thompson for re-election to the Utah Legislature, praising their leadership and membership on significant legislative committees; and urged the re-election of U.S. Rep. Blake Moore (R-1st Dist.), citing the incumbent for supporting Utah and Cache County as a leader in the U.S. House of Representatives.
In January, Bennett was selected to replace long-term council member Barbara Tidwell in a poorly attended special election. Of a total 57 District 2 delegates eligible to vote, only 29 were credentialed for a turnout of slightly over 50 percent.
Daines calls Bennett a “very nice person” who has devoted much time and effort to understanding the issues facing the Cache County Council. Nevertheless, the county executive said that he cannot recommend that she be re-elected.
“As your county executive,” he wrote, “I work with the county council and our state and federal elected officials. As they seek re-election, I have a responsibility to make public my judgment about their performance.
“I am a member of the Republican Party,” Daines acknowledged, “But, even more importantly, I am a concerned citizen of Cache County.”
In their social media post, the leadership the Cache Democratic Party agreed with Daines, calling Goulais a “better and smarter option” for the Cache County Council.