BREAKING: McCoy resigning

The Deseret News is reporting that Senator Scott McCoy is resigning his seat effective Friday:

Utah's only openly gay state senator, Democrat Scott McCoy, has told the Deseret News he is resigning.

"It's just a work thing," McCoy said Tuesday. "If I want to be a partner in my law firm and have a robust legal career, I have to be a lawyer rather than a politician."

McCoy said his resignation will be effective as of Friday. He would have been up for reelection from his Salt Lake City district next year.

McCoy is a lawyer specializing in federal securities and antitrust litigation with the Salt Lake office of Howrey LLP, a Washington, D.C.-based firm that employs 750 lawyers worldwide.

His successor will be chosen by Democratic delegates in District 2. McCoy said he is aware of three candidates seeking the position: Rep. Rebecca Chavez-Houck, D-Salt Lake; Ben McAdams, a senior adviser to Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker; and Salt Lake County Democratic Party Chairman Weston Clark.

First, he must have been telling people he was planning on resigning, since he knows of three people interested in the position.

Second, Rep Chavez-Houck first got her seat when Ralph Becker resigned after being elected Mayor in 2007.

Interesting....

A Warning To Potential Matheson Challengers

A few months ago, I got a phone call from a friend I have met through politics. He wanted to ask me a few questions about something.

Specifically, he wanted to know the process for filing as a Democrat to run against Jim Matheson.

I unloaded my knowledge of how the Convention system works, as well as my limited knowledge of the FEC. I gave him some words of warning that are pertinent to anyone looking to challenge RepINO Jim Matheson:

It's Democratic Party suicide, as long as Wayne Holland is Chair.

Because speaking ill of Jim Matheson (D-IHC) is simply not allowed.

And, as long as the Wayne Holland faction rules the party, you will be in the Party Shithouse.

Which is OK. There are some cool people here. Some of them will probably buy you a drink.

And, while I think Scott McCoy stands a better chance in the convention and primary (but that's not to say my mystery person couldn't make it past Matheson), my guy stands as good a chance in the General as anyone, including Matheson.

-Bob

McCoy for Congress?

I realize that this is probably idle chatter, and that he has almost no chance of winning in the general, but I like it (click to enlarge):



The reasons I like it:

1) I have always liked and admired Senator McCoy.
2) It would make Chris Buttars' head explode (not to mention Gayle Ruzika)
3) Even if Matheson makes it out of convention, having a challenger would prove to RepINO Matheson that actions have consequences.

I'll have more on RepINO Matheson later.

-Bob

Doug Wright Will Be Friends With Anybody

Senator Scott McCoy: Of Book Burnings and Boycotts

From Utah Senate Democrats:

n the wake of the passage of Prop 8 in California, emotions and tempers have flared in the LGBT community. I understand the anger, disappointment, and sadness that many in the gay and transgendered community are feeling as a result of having the right to marry stripped away. I have felt those same emotions and had those same reactions myself. I understand the desire and the need to express those feelings. In fact, you have a First Amendment right to do so.

Having said that, I implore my fellow citizens to engage in civil and peaceful expressions and conduct. There is no room for violence, vandalism, or intimidation in this continuing debate for marriage equality. Resort to such methods is simply unacceptable. We are better than that.

Furthermore, I urge people not to boycott Utah. There are many good and sympathetic people, Mormons and non-Mormons alike, who call Utah home. Boycotting Utah ultimately hurts those of us who are working for a more fair and just Utah. Rather than staying away from Utah, come and visit and show our detractors that we are fine and decent people deserving of equal treatment and protection under the law.

Well done, Senator!

Legal Bribery

KSL:

Getting some of the toughest tickets in town was no problem for some state lawmakers thanks to a paid lobbyist.

Financial disclosure reports due Thursday show Micron Technology lobbyist Stan Lockhart paid for seven legislators to go the NBA playoffs.

Democratic Sens. Ross Romero and Scott McCoy received tickets to a Jazz playoff game against the Los Angeles Lakers, along with Republican state Rep. Kerry Gibson. The tickets were worth $400.

Republican Sens. Pete Knudson and Howard Stephenson accepted tickets from Lockhart to a playoff game against the Houston Rockets.

Republican state Reps. Paul Ray and Lorie Fowlke also accepted tickets to see the Jazz and Rockets play. The tickets to the Rockets' game were worth a combined total of $500.

Antone want to tell my why this isn't blatant bribery by GOP Chairman Lockhart?

Disturbing Video at the Amicus

If you've just eaten, make sure you wait a few hours before going over to the Utah Amicus to watch A Square Dance Social on Utah's Capitol Hill starring Senator Buttars, Senator McCoy, Representative Johnson, and Sister Ruzika.

-Bob

Make it Gay

I have several gay-related thoughts, so I thought I'd combine them into one post. I'll try to segue them the best I can, but we'll see.

First, I watched Take Two this morning on channel 2. they had Sen Scott McCoy and some lady from the Legacy Law Center (I missed her name) talking about Sen Buttars's Gay/Strait Alliance bill. The pro-bill person was typical Republican yell, scream, flood the airwaves with statistics that may or may not be true, and don't listen to your opponant, and then smile smugly like you just won this huge battle. The best point that Sen McCoy was able to make was that GSAs aren't about sex, as Ms law person was suggesting. I tried calling in to reiterate the comments I've made in the past about banning talk about sex in schools.

Then, the clincher was her closing statement. I wish I had it recorded so I could transcript it. It was basically that it is legal for 16 and 17 year olds to have sex and make babies with no punishment. First, the baby is the punishment. Second, it has nothing to do with GSAs, as Sen McCoy pointed out: "It's not the Gay and Lesbian Students making babies..."

Which brings me to my second point: If Sen McCoy doesn't want to be labeled as "The Gay," then he needs to NOT be the front person on gay issues, and take up some other ones. My choice of Democrats to be on the front burner for the GSA issue: Carol Spackman-Moss. She was a full-time teacher at Olympus High before she was elected to the House, and still teaches part time at Skyline. She actually spends time in schools, and knows what kids are going through and saying.

Like "That's so gay." "Gay" has replaced the word "lame" in today's lexicon. I even catch myself doing this. It is still a popular insult to call someone (especially the more macho men) "Gay" "faggot" or a "homo." All of this is so, well, gay. (yes, this was point #3. If you figured that out, give yourself 3 points.)

Point #4: (Disclaimer: I work for Larry H Miller Sports and Entertainment Group, parent company of Jordan Commons. My employer is far removed from the movie theaters, but I think I still better say the views expressed herein are mine and not those of my employers or their affiliates)

In yesterday's papers (Tribune, DNews), they had a story about the Jordan Commons Complex deciding to not show the movie Brokeback Mountain. It turns out someone let Larry Miller know what the movie was about. I neither agree nor disagree with this decision.

As a business owner, he has every right to do this. However, if he is starting to ban movies at his theaters, why not ban the other two movies with gay themes: Rent and the Producers? (Producers does not have a gay theme as a whole, but there is a big joke about the theatre world being gay.)

Or how about movies like Wedding Crashers and Meet the Fockers that are all about Sex?

And tell the Jazz Dancers to put some clothes on. They are beatuiful girls even without showing as much skin.

-Bob