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Republicans soon will name two new Utah lawmakers in time for upcoming session

Related Topics: Centura Health, Laynee Jones

Republican delegates plan special elections next Tuesday to fill two vacant legislative seats. Eleven candidates — ranging from lawyers to a doctor, engineer, teacher, developers and businesspeople — are running in the two races.

The vacancies were created when Sen. Brian Shiozawa, R-Cottonwood Heights, a doctor, resigned to become regional director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in Denver, and when Rep. Dean Sanpei, R-Provo, resigned to become senior vice president of Centura Health, also in Colorado.

“I am running because I believe in civil engagement and citizenship responsibility,” he said. “I believe I can make a difference in public education, in Utah’s future and Utah students.