MY POLITICAL PROJECTIONS FOR 2019: Let the battle for Utah offices begin.

• Author: Gochnour, Natalie

While I love the start of a new year, I'm not sure if I'm ready for the dizzying array of political battles that will flood the airwaves and our electronic devices in 2019. We will be hit simultaneously with a capital city mayoral race and the beginning of a two-year battle for the White House and Utah governor's office. Throw a new US Senator named Mitt Romney into the mix and it could be a lively year. Here are my 2019 political predictions:

THE SALT LAKE CITY MAYOR'S RACE WILL ATTRACT A CROWDED FIELD

Mayor Biskupski has faced several challenging issues such as homeless resource centers and the inland port. She has many supporters, but not enough to dissuade a bevy of challengers. Former Salt Lake City Council chair, Stan Penfold; former State Senator, Jim Dabakis; and businessman, David Ibarra have already announced their candidacies for mayor. Other likely candidates include former legislator Ross Romero and current State Senator Luz Escamilla. In the end, I believe the election will come down to the current mayor and Jim Dabakis in a close race.

The Utah governor's race will also begin in 2019, with a solid mix of strong candidates

Governor Herbert will finish strong right to the end in 2020, but the attention in 2019 will shift towards a new generation of gubernatorial leadership. It's no secret that Greg Miller, son of the late Larry H. Miller, will likely enter the fray. He's got a good name and proven experience running complex organizations.

Utah's popular lieutenant governor, Spencer Cox, will also run a slick, social-media-savvy campaign. His popularity will grow as people get to know his open-minded, level-headed, and compassionate leadership style. If successful, he would be the rare governor who hails from off the Wasatch Front.

Many people place former Speaker of the House, Greg Hughes on the list for governor. I think that's unlikely. I predict he will be tapped for a senior transportation leadership role in the Trump Administration well before election day.

Other names for governor include, in no particular order: Utah Attorney General, Sean Reyes; Salt Lake Chamber president and CEO, Derek Miller; Hinckley Institute of Politics director, Jason Perry; local businessman and community stalwart, Spencer Eccles (son of Spence Eccles); and former Utah Congressman, Jason Chaffetz.

The dark horse and a personal favorite of mine is former Utah Republican Party chairman and current National Republican Party committeeman, Thomas...