BOX ELDER, Utah — The Box Elder Republican Party is closely watching a House race in Utah’s First District.  If former Representative Joel Ferry wins, the party will convene to find his replacement. 

Ferry’s name appears on the ballot despite already serving as the director of Utah’s Department of Natural Resources. Two lawsuits brought by democrats failed to force his name off the ballot.

The County GOP Chair, Dale Millsap said Ferry is expected to win in the heavily republican district.

“There’s a chance that somebody who really doesn’t represent the values of Box Elder County because it’s like 80% republican, becomes the next person to represent us for the next two years,” said Millsap. 

Josh Hardy is the Democrat candidate on the ballot. 

Ben Anderson, Democratic party spokesman, said voters still have a choice.

“Just because they have elected republicans for a long time, that doesn’t mean that the people there have any less interest in having a representative who actually wants to work for them, than just a placeholder on the ball0t,” said Anderson. 

Related reading:

• Utah Democrats file lawsuit to remove Joel Ferry from ballot in November
• Joel Ferry confirmed to be director of Department of Natural Resources
• Democrats will ask Utah Supreme Court to rule on former Rep. Joel Ferry