Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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Richard Piatt Reporting Summit County's Democratic party chairman is accused of offering money to a candidate to drop out of a primary race. But Rob Weyher says he hasn't done anything wrong, and still thinks that candidate should drop out.
In most of the state, Republicans are after each other in this primary election season. But in heavily Democratic District 25, the race for one state House seat is obviously a tough one.
He makes no secret of the fact that he favors one state House candidate over the other. The question is: Did Rob Weyher cross the line when he offered candidate Josh Ewing money to drop out of the primary race with Christine Johnson?
Weyher says no.
Reporter: "So you didn't think you were breaking the law?"
Rob Weyher/ Summit County Democratic Chairman: "Oh, I had no idea I was breaking the law. In fact, I think that is my job, is to recruit the best candidate."
But the Salt Lake County District Attorney's office disagrees. It's charging Weyher with a class B misdemeanor: Prohibited elections activity.
A few weeks ago, Weyher contacted Ewing's boss at Love Communications, leaving the offer as a voice mail. Ewing says he debated how to handle it. Eventually, he reported it to the D.A.
Josh Ewing/ Candidate For State Legislature: "He called my boss and essentially offered me a bribe to get out of the race. It's as simple as it is."
The offer was worth a couple thousand dollars. Ewing says there's a bigger issue: Money's role in campaigns.
But Weyher sees his offer merely as a way to avoid a bloody interparty fight. He says it happens all the time.
Weyher: "This is part of the process. And to be naive about it as Tom Love and Josh Ewing are trying to make it out is, as I said, disingenuous."
Meanwhile, Ewing's opponent, Christine Johnson, is trying to distance herself from the situation.
Christine Johnson/ Candidate For State Legislature: "I don't feel like I have a dog in this race. I feel like this is an issue between Josh Ewing and Rob Weyher."
Both Johnson and Ewing entered the race because they have strong feelings they can make a difference on Capitol Hill. But they'll apparently have to cut through some political clutter, first.
I spoke with both Republicans and Democrats who have been involved inside campaigns. And they confirmed, it's not uncommon to do what it takes to avoid an interparty primary. The difference here could be how the request to withdraw is put.
