By BROCK VERGAKIS
Associated Press Writer
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Utah Gov. Gary Herbert and Democratic rival Peter Corroon planned to file for election Wednesday and begin campaigning to fill the state's top job for the next two years.
Herbert and Corroon are vying to complete the remainder of former GOP Gov. Jon Huntsman's term, which expires in 2012. Huntsman resigned in August to become U.S. ambassador to China, leaving Herbert in charge.
Huntsman was the most popular governor in state history and Democrats believe his resignation has created an opportunity for them to take back the governor's mansion for the first time since Scott Matheson left office in 1985.
Corroon is the highly popular mayor of Republican-leaning Salt Lake County and has earned a reputation for being fiscally conservative since he was elected in 2004.
Corroon and Herbert are both campaigning largely on the same three issues: economic development, energy development and improving education. So far, it's been difficult to distinguish many of their differences on those topics.
Both say the state should place a greater focus on providing tax incentives to businesses already located here, both say the state should develop its renewable energy resources while protecting traditional resources like coal and both have bemoaned low funding for public schools.
Herbert points to one of his greatest achievements in the past legislative session as protecting public education from deep cuts in a tough budget year without raising income taxes.
Republicans' plan to paint Corroon as a tax-and-spend Democrat for raising some public safety fees took a hit in the past two weeks when Herbert agreed to raise the tobacco tax by $1 for a pack of cigarettes.
For Corroon's part, he'll try to make Herbert look like someone who wastes taxpayer money defending unconstitutional legislation.
Herbert has already signed a bill into law exempting Utah gun manufacturers from federal regulations such as background checks and licensing requirements if the guns are made and sold here. He's also considering signing a bill that would allow the state to take land from the federal government through the use of eminent domain, even though state attorneys have said both measures will likely be found unconstitutional.
Corroon planned rallies in St. George, Ogden, Salt Lake City and Park City on Wednesday.
Herbert was scheduled to hold a formal campaign announcement at the University of Utah followed by a rally at his downtown campaign headquarters.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
