I have the impression that many people in the Democratic community were shocked to discover that Senator Scott McCoy would be stepping down from his post effective last Friday in order to peruse personal and professional goals.  Though I understand the toll that being a legislator can take on an individual, I was, none the less, saddened to hear the news of his departure. To be sure the next senator from central Salt Lake and South Salt Lake will have big shoes to fill.

A handful of names have popped up since the announcement of McCoy’s retirement, and I do not envy the position the 100 plus delegates will face on December 19^th when they choose their new senator. Everyone who I have at least heard a murmur about is more than qualified for the task at hand.

But, as you can see by the title of this post, I have made my decision.

I received a call from Ben the night Senator McCoy announced his retirement and he asked if he could talk to me about his bid.  Not willing to turn down a free cup of coffee, I soon sat down with Ben to discuss what he wanted to do for Senate District 2. I must admit the site was rather odd as I, in my t-shirt and jeans, was interviewing a man in matching suit jacket and slacks…but I digress.

I first got to know Ben on the Ralph Becker for Mayor campaign back in 2007.  Since then I have had the chance to chat him up at various events, but never really about any particular issue that concerned me. This was my chance to drill the current Senior Advisor for Intergovernmental Affairs for the Becker administration, and I was impressed with Ben’s breath and depth of knowledge on current issues facing the state and the residents of the district.

Ben is, first and foremost, a policy wonk through and through, and his absolute love of creating good, sound, policy is his most important attribute when I look at any political candidate to support. His ideas on how to fix the budget through an increase in sales tax (as opposed to food tax), pro-rating liquor licenses along with allowing the DABC to predict how many licenses will be lost through business closures and redistributing said licenses early, and state employee benefits all appeal to me as a citizen of the state.  From a party standpoint, I was impressed with Ben’s desire to step into the role that that fiercely blue seat allows him to take; Ben assures me that he will be no shrinking violet once he is up on the hill – rather he will be the squeaky wheel “even when the train is plowing ahead.”

Finally, I would like to point out his coalition building and effectiveness on day one.  Ben was a behind the scenes player in issues such as Salt Lake City’s partnership registry and just passed non-discrimination ordinances. When certain state senators threatened to kill the partnership registry from the state level, it was Ben that was able to talk and build relationships that would maintain the cities interest.  He knows who to talk to in order to get things done, and he knows how to navigate tumultuous waters with skill and tact.

In short, I wholeheartedly support Ben in his bid for Senate District 2. To those of you who have the difficult decision to make in less than three weeks, I sincerely hope you give him your support as well.