Countdown: 8 days until early voting starts in Utah, 22 days until the 2012 election, 106 days to the start of the 2013 legislative session.

Utah’s 4th Congressional District race is an expensive one, with nearly $3.5 million spent on advertising so far [Tribune, Deseret News, KSL].

Women voters favor Love over Matheson by 10-points [Tribune].

John Swallow has raised more than $1.2 million for his campaign for Attorney General [Tribune].

Democrat Peter Cooke says Gary Herbert is not doing enough to support Utah’s minority communities [Tribune].

Utah Democrats have 9 Latino candidates on the ballot this year compared to just one for Republicans [Tribune].

Is straight-party ticket voting bad for Utah? [Deseret News, KSL]. Former Representative Trish Beck says Utah should eliminate the practice [Tribune].

The battle over Francine Giani’s appointment to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission highlights a turf war over liquor [Tribune].

Utah politicians remember former Senator Arlen Specter, who passed away at the age of 82 [Tribune].

The Legislature launches a new website [Utah Policy].

The LDS Church withdraws plans to build a nine-story missionary training center in Provo [Deseret News, ABC 4, KSL, Daily Herald].