Corroon to run for governor

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Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon, who has been urged for months by Democratic faithful to join the race, plans to announce next week that he will run for governor, The Salt Lake Tribune has learned.

Corroon is expected to announce his candidacy Tuesday at Salt Lake Community College, several Democratic sources familiar with the plan told The Tribune .

The sources spoke on condition of anonymity, since they were not authorized by the campaign to discuss Corroon's intentions.

Corroon did not respond Thursday to requests for comment.

Corroon's entry into the race, while not a surprise, gives Democrats one of their strongest possible candidates to challenge Gov. Gary Herbert, who inherited the office in August when Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. became U.S. ambassador to China.

The two-term county mayor cruised to re-election in 2008 and is generally viewed as politically moderate. He is expected to remain in office while he runs for governor.

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_14146269