SALT LAKE CITY - Democratic Chair Jim Dabakis won a special election for the Utah Senate District 2 seat vacated by Ben McAdams.
Each candidate got five minutes to talk about their platforms and positions. Candidates talked about education funding, gay rights and social welfare.
Jim Dabakis was at the top after the first round of voting, getting 48 votes. Outgoing Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon was in second with 36 votes, Jenny Wilson got 29 and Brian Doughty got 12 votes.
Since no candidate received at least 50 percent of the votes, Dabakis and Corroon went to a second round of voting.
Dabakis intends to remain in his seat as the party chair, something Corroon said may be difficult.
"He's doing a great job where he is I don't want to see him less effective because he's trying to serve two masters and I think ultimately that could hurt us as Democrats," Corron said.
But Dabakis said that the legislature is made up of people who have other jobs and he shouldn't have any problem wearing both hats.
Dabakis is known for his sometimes fiery rhetoric, but he says he'll still be able to compromise.
"If you are worried about me just being a bomb thrower and not understanding how to negotiate and how to bring people together you need not worry," he said.
Dabakis received 67 of the second round votes, beating out Corroon's 61 votes.
McAdams vacated his seat after winning the election for Salt Lake County mayor.
