Shocking – a long shot candidate starts lobbing bombs over the fence against a solidly positioned, and highly regarded incumbent.  Desperation usually comes later – like October – when the target can’t respond and knock down such breathless charges.   Poor timing by Mark Shurtleff’s Democrat opponent.  From the Salt Lake Tribune:

“By hosting a fundraiser for a candidate that could soon be under investigation by the Attorney General’s Office, Mark Shurtleff has plunged his office into an obvious conflict of interest,” Hill said in a news release. “His actions flunk common sense and legal ethics 101.”

Shurtleff has made no secret about his endorsement of Rep. Mark Walker, R-Sandy, in his run for state treasurer. He donated $5,000 to Walker’s campaign and nominated him at the state Republican convention in May.

On May 29, Walker’s Republican challenger – Chief Deputy Treasurer Richard Ellis – filed a complaint with Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert alleging that Walker offered him a job and a hefty pay increase if he would drop out of the race.

On Friday, Herbert, the state’s chief elections officer, said he was postponing any determination until after the June 24 primary.

That same day, Shurtleff and other powerful Republicans, including House Speaker Greg Curtis, hosted a noon fundraiser for Walker.

Read the Rest…