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SALT LAKE CITY -- The intense focus on Utah's U.S. Senate race has concentrated on Republicans so far. But Democrat Sam Granato is going to be the ultimate challenger in November, and a lot of people still don't know who he is.
Granato, on the other hand, knows a lot of people. Inside his flagship deli on 300 West, he is a celebrity.
As a candidate, Granato's challenge now is to get more people to know him: the man he describes as a politically-moderate businessman who wants to end the trend of political polarization he says he sees happening.
"We've got a good base of customer support; and as that ebbs over into the political arena, they might know that I do my politics as well as I might make a sandwich," Granato says.
Granato has been talking to a lot of people and handing out campaign signs, but widespread attention across the state has been overwhelmingly focused on the Republicans. Either Mike Lee or Tim Bridgewater will be Granato's challenger now, not Sen. Bob Bennett.
Granato has mixed feelings about that.
"Of course I'm disappointed at, again, the way he was taken out," Granato says. "But I see it as a better opportunity with Senator Bennett not there."
Political pollster Dan Jones agrees the opportunity is there, but he says it's going to take a lot of work.
"People don't know who Sam Granato is, other than he has a marvelous name in his business. But he's not known as a strong political-involved individual," Jones says.
Granato, however, is convinced: Like his food, the more people know about him, the better he gets.
"We need to get a Democrat in to represent the majority voice that's not heard in this state," Granato says.
If Granato wins, it would be a big deal. A Democrat hasn't held a U.S. Senate seat in Utah in 40 years.
E-mail: rpiatt@ksl.com
