OREM -- The Utah State Republican Convention held more than a few surprises Saturday, and some disappointments. One of those disappointments came for Rep. Paul Neuenschwander, the House District 20 representative, who was forced into a primary against Becky Edwards, who has proved popular with Bountiful voters. Neuenschwander received 59 percent of the vote to Edwards' 41 percent. A candidate needs 60 percent of the vote to advance to the general election.

"I think it was a heartbreaker for Paul (Neuenschwander) said party vice chair and Woods Cross resident Todd Weiler.

Weiler said after the vote, one delegate stepped forward to tell Neuenschwander that they had become lost on the Utah Valley State College campus and arrived too late. That delegate had "come to vote for him (Neuenschwander)."

In District 14, Clearfield Rep. Curt Oda avoided a primary.

Centerville resident Charles "Chuck" Smith received 22.52 percent of the delegate vote in his bid for governor, against Jon H. Huntsman Jr.'s 77.48 percent of the vote.

Weiler said that Smith had a good message, but little chance at the Republican nomination because Huntsman is the most popular governor in the country.

To demonstrate that popularity, Weiler said it's very rare for a candidate to received more than 75 percent of the vote in a two-man race.

In his address to delegates, Smith said, "I am about change. We are the Republican party. We are an example to the whole country on what the Republican party should be and can be."

Smith, who has volunteered in the Davis School District, told delegates that "nowhere in the public school system in Utah do we teach the principles that will keep us free."

He said Utahns have made public education an idol that we worship.

Weiler said that while the convention was long. "It was democracy at work. It was a great experience and it was energizing."

mwilliams@davisclipper.com