SALT LAKE CITY (AP)—Utah Democratic Party Chairman Jim Dabakis has emerged from a crowded field to win the state Senate seat vacated by Ben McAdams.
Dabakis defeated Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon by a 67 to 61 vote of party delegates Saturday.
McAdams vacated the seat after his Nov. 6 election as Salt Lake County mayor.
Other contenders for McAdams’ seat included former Salt Lake County Councilwoman Jenny Wilson and Rep. Brian Doughty, who lost his re-election bid.
Dabakis plans to stay on as state party chairman, saying his situation is no different than other members of the part-time Legislature who hold other jobs.
In July 2011, Dabakis became the first openly gay person to lead a state party in Utah.
He has reached out to Mormon church members to become Democrats.
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