Jim Dabakis Speaks to Gephardt Daily About SLC Mayoral Run

Jim Dabakis Speaks to Gephardt Daily About SLC Mayoral Run 

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – April 6, 2015 – (Gephardt Daily)

Utah State Senator Jim Dabakis, (D – Salt Lake) is throwing his hat into the ring for the Salt Lake City mayor’s race.

He officially announced his candidacy over the weekend via his blog “The Dabakis Factor.”

Dabakis’ announcement creates a four-way race between Dabakis, current Mayor Ralph Becker, City Councilman Luke Garrott, and previously declared candidate Jackie Biskupski. Biskupski has expressed concerns that Dabakis entering the race would create a division between their shared support base and give Becker a third term.

One of the most liberal members of Utah’s largely conservative state legislature, Dabakis is also well-known as Utah’s only openly gay state Senator. Dabakis previously served as chairman of the Utah Democratic Party from 2012 to 2014 when he stepped down, citing health reasons.

Gephardt Daily sat down with Dabakis Monday to talk about his decision to run for SLC’s top job.

To see the first installment of our interview click on the video above.

 EMPLOYMENT IN UTAH

In the second part of our series, Dabakis talks about bringing high-paying, high-tech employment to Utah.

CURBING POLLUTION

Dabakis talks about his number one way of curbing pollution; pressuring refineries to make the new Tier 3 fuel, with less sulphur and reducing tailpipe emissions, in the third part of our series.

DABAKIS ON HIS HEALTH 

In the fourth part of our series, Dabakis tells us the latest news on his health, which recently caused him to quit as chairman of the Democratic Party in Utah.

[one_fourth]

[/one_fourth][three_fourth_last]

DABAKIS ON HIS SEXUALITY 

Dabakis, who is married to his longtime partner, talks about whether he thinks his being gay will affect his run for Mayor.