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Sam Penrod ReportingAfter a record turnout in Utah's Democratic Presidential Primary, the results are coming in.
It was a huge turnout today for the Democratic Presidential Primary here in Utah. Now volunteers are counting the results. None of the frontrunners in the race, Senators John Kerry or John Edwards made campaign stops here in Utah, but so far they are leading the results. In fact, early results show John Kerry as the winner.
Today's voter turnout comes as a big surprise here for Utah Democrats. Long lines, noise and energy -- that's the best way to describe Utah's Democratic Presidential Primary.
Donald Dunn, Chairman, Utah Democratic Party: "It's a good day for Utah democrats, it's a new day for Utah democrats. It is sending a strong message that thousands and thousands of people in Utah want anybody but George Bush."
Utah's primary was moved to today in an effort to beat next week's Super Tuesday when the party's nominee is usually a foregone conclusion. Up for grabs are 29 delegates to the Democratic National Convention this summer. Those delegates will be representative of which candidates voters choose today.
Gwen Powell, Voter: "This is going to be a huge election, one of the most important elections that our country has ever had because of how our country has been going lately."
Utah's Democrats printed 55,000 ballots, but many polling places ran out early in the afternoon. Few were discouraged though waiting for their turn at the ballot box.
Charles Kimball , Voter: "This is an essential part of our democracy. It is fundamentally important that everybody gets a voice. This is probably the only way the we get a voice is to stand here and vote."
The final results are expected in the early morning hours. Party leaders hope today's vote will help energize Utah Democrats for the upcoming election of federal and state leaders.
