Twenty years after earning distinction as the last Democrat elected from Utah County, Tim Moran died Friday at age 95.
The Spanish Fork native served in the Utah House for 12 years until 1996, when he was defeated by a Republican challenger.
Moran and his Senate counterpart, Eldon Money, were the last two Democrats serving from Utah County both from Spanish Fork. Moran won his final two-year term in 1994, while Money won his final four-year term in 1992.
Before his election to the House, Moran served four years on the Spanish Fork City Council and 12 years as mayor. He was a professional educator, ending a 35-year career as principal of Brockbank Elementary School. Services are set for Friday at 11 a.m. at the Spanish Fork LDS 12th Ward Chapel, 310 E. Center St.
Utah County Democratic Chairman Josh Hogan acknowledges that a generation after Morans defeat, it may yet be awhile before the next Democrat wins election in the biggest GOP bastion in a Republican state.
"Its going to be a long battle," Hogan says. "You need to change a lot of hearts and minds."
Hogan says the largest challenge is convincing people "Were not who you think we are."
His message is simple: "Our focus is to improve education, support livable wages and demand government transparency, and it certainly wouldnt hurt to do that in more breathable air."
Hogan praises the quality of candidates running on the Democratic ticket this year, including Zach Lewis, who is running for the House District 66 seat once held by Moran, but now occupied by Rep. Mike McKell, R-Spanish Fork. "Hes a promising young man just graduating from BYU law school," Hogan says of Lewis.
The party leader concedes he wishes he had a candidate in the Utah County Commission Seat A race where newcomer Greg Graves defeated incumbent Gary Anderson to claim the Republican nomination earlier this month.
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Last Democrat elected in Utah County dies at 95