“Derrin Owens greets his family after winning the LD 58 special election.” Image courtesy Utah Republican Party on Facebook.
CENTRAL UTAH — Republican state delegates met in Ephraim for a special caucus to select a replacement for Rep. Jon Cox, District 58, after he stepped down to accept a position with Gov. Gary Herbert, and Derrin Owens of Fountain Green secured 53 percent of the vote.
According to a statement from the Utah GOP, Owens earned roughly 29 of 55 possible votes in two rounds of balloting at Snow College in Ephraim. District 58 includes portions of Sanpete and Juab counties and the caucus was comprised of delegates from that district.
Utah Republican Party Chairman James Evans said the vote speaks to the value of the caucus system in Utah.
“Once again, the caucus system has proven successful in allowing the voice of the people to be heard,” Evans stated. “I look forward to working with Representative-Elect Owens.”
Owens’ name will be sent to Gov. Herbert’s office for approval, and the Representative-elect is expected to immediately assume the office’s responsibilities after that approval process is complete.
Owens is replacing Jon Cox, who recently stepped down to accept a position as Communications Director for Gov. Herbert.
