Karras officially starts his race

Nolan Karras, the chairman of the Utah Board of Regents, officially announced his candidacy for governor Thursday.

Standing on the steps of the Capitol Rotunda during a lunchtime news conference, Karras said that he wanted to bring his straight- talking style back to Utah's political landscape.

"I'll tell it straight," he said. "I won't tell you what they want to hear. I'm tired of those kinds of plastic campaigns."

A former accountant, Karras said that he wanted to get the state's financial books in order and to cut the amount of government borrowing that has happened. Otherwise, future generations will pay the price.

Pointing to grandchildren flanking him, he said that "these kids' futures are being mortgaged to fulfill our needs. I'm not sure they'll have a future because of our gluttony."

Karras is a former legislator himself, having served five terms in the House of Representatives during which he was the majority leader and eventually speaker. He also served on the Roy Planning Commission prior to his legislative terms.

Former Gov. Mike Leavitt appointed Karras to serve as his representative on the Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the 2002 Winter Games. He also was chairman of the state Olympics finance committee and was a former chairman of the State Building Board for five years

Before being appointed to the Utah Board of Regents in 2001, Karras worked as an accountant for "companies large and small."

Another former governor, Norm Bangerter, was on hand to endorse Karras in his governor's bid.

"His experience is deep and wide," Bangerter said. "He's been involved with virtually every facet of government."

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