November 8, 2006

Rep. Margaret Dayton, R-Orem, easily won her bid to move from the Utah State House to the state Senate. She will replace incumbent Parley Hellewell, whom she defeated at the Republican convention, after controlling 69 percent of the vote Tuesday. Democrat Bethanie Newby earned 25 percent and Constitution Party candidate Gordon Mella 6 percent.

"That's awesome," Dayton said. "I'm so elated and honored. I feel like being in the Senate is going to be an opportunity to have a little more influence as one of 29 instead of one of 75."