At the GOP convention, any candidate with more than 60 percent of the delegate vote wins the party nomination and skips a primary race.

Tilton has been under fire repeatedly for conflict-of-issue questions, including his role in the potential construction of a nuclear power plant in Utah. Tilton is on the state Public Utilities and Technology Committee, but says that there is no conflict because nuclear power is regulated by the federal government. He was appointed in 2004 when his incumbent opponent quit after being caught soliciting a prostitute. He was elected in 2005 and re-elected in 2006.

He won’t get a chance at a third term.

“I am humbled that this happened,” Gibson said afterward. “The constituents in District 65 wanted to make a change. I’m exited about it.”

Read the Rest…