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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Veteran Republican Utah legislative leaders Mel Brown and Kevin Garn want back in the Utah House and maybe eventually back in the leadership.
Garn, 51, first elected in 1990, was the House majority leader and in line to be speaker when he resigned in 2002 to run for Congress. He was beaten in the primary by U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop -- a former Utah House speaker.
Brown, 68, was elected in 1986 and served as speaker from 1995 to 1999. He retired in 2000 to become a lobbyist following a scandal. He was overheard discussing career options with a phone company lobbyist. A legislative ethics panel concluded there was no wrongdoing, but Brown did not seek re-election as speaker in 1999.
Brown divorced his wife of 42 years and married a former legislative aide. The former Mormon church stake president was excommunicated. He moved from Midvale to Coalville, where he ran a 285-acre dairy farm with his brother.
He is seeking election in the Coalville district.
The GOP incumbents in both districts are stepping out of office, but Garn and Brown will face challenges from Republicans.
When Garn and Brown filed for the House this year, speculation arose that they would make moves on leadership positions.
Garn said, "I wouldn't presume that I could move into leadership right away. At some point, yes, I'd like to be speaker."
Brown had often clashed with then Gov. Mike Leavitt, and considered running for governor himself at one time.
After stepping down as speaker, he sometimes took on Garn and then-Speaker Marty Stephens.
He said that this time he would arrive with more humble aspirations and not immediately seek a leadership post.
"A person should earn their stripes again," Brown said. "If the opportunity came, I'd take it. But I believe strongly in the process and would be willing to accept any position that was offered."
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
