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Almost-Retired Lawmaker to Run for Utah Governor

State lawmaker Ken Sumsion will run on a campaign to reform public school spending and gain access to the state's federally controlled lands.

Utah GOP Gov. Gary Herbert has his first challenger trying to take his job: state lawmaker Ken Sumsion.

Sumsion, a Republican representative since 2007 and co-chair of the Legislature's Redistricting Committee, has decided to run for governor after he was urged to stay in politics after announcing he would leave after this term, reports the Deseret News.

The certified public accountant said his campaign will focus on his plans to give more spending control to local school districts as well as gain access to the state's federally controlled lands.

Sumsion stresses that he is consistent and predictable in his principles, and as a result, doesn't "get lobbied by a lot of people because I try to follow those principles."

Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.
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