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OGDEN, Utah (AP) -- Businessman Fred Lampropoulos and House Speaker Marty Stephens lost their bids for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, but they found they liked each other and now Stephens works for Lampropoulos.
Stephens, R-Farr West, is the new vice president of business development for Merit Medical, a medical supply firm owned by Lampropoulos.
The two were among eight Republican candidates for governor. The field was narrowed at the May 8 state GOP convention to Jon Huntsman Jr. and Nolan Karras, who face off in the Republican primary Tuesday.
Stephens, who left his job with Zions Bank in late 2003 to focus on his gubernatorial bid, said he has no plans to step down from his legislative post before his term ends in December.
During a debate before the state convention, Lampropoulos touted Stephens as someone who could lead a growing company.
Stephens said the two never discussed employment possibilities until after the convention.
"Fred and I got to know each other pretty well on the campaign trail, and we got to be friends," said Stephens. "We were visiting one day after the convention on more of a cordial basis, and the conversation ended up with Fred offering me a job."
He started Monday.
(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)