Today is the last day for candidates to file to be on the ballot in this year's election in Utah. A heartening sign is that Utah Democrats seem to be mounting a serious run at the Republicans.

It's not that we have partisan views. It's just that competition helps almost everything, and nowhere is that more important than in politics. Utah, and Utah County in particular, has experienced an unhealthy lack of political competition in the past.

Some observers seem always to quail when candidates clash, but that's what democracy is about -- a clash of ideas. Vigorous campaigns sharpen things; they reveal much about the candidates. Of course, excesses cab occur, but we'd rather have the noisy rough-and-tumble of a real election than the false calm of a fake democracy.

This is especially important in Utah where the GOP has been so dominant so long. Yes, the people vote for who they want, so Republican dominance may be a simple reflection of the public will. But a general law of politics is that the longer any group is in power, and the less it is challenged, the more likely it is that it will grow lazy and arrogant.

A good challenge is like a good exercise regimen: it keeps incumbents in philosophical shape, alert, and conscious of the people. It certainly is time for some Utah Republicans to get a good workout. And if a Democrat has better answers to the problems facing Utahns today, he or she ought to win. It will be good to hear more Democratic views this year, if only to stoke the fires of philosophy and debate.

The Dems are not without grounds for hope. Republicans as a national party have failed to curb government spending and illegal immigration. It has failed to move us toward energy independence. It has encouraged monetary policies and stood by for lending practices that are now pushing banks over the edge.

In the natural cycle of politics, 2008 could be a good year for Democrats in general.

Even in Utah, the reddest of red states, there could be some close races and upsets. House Speaker Greg Curtis, of Sandy, in 2006 won re-election by what is for all practical purposes a rounding error: 20 votes. His Democratic opponent in that race, Amtrak conductor Jay Seegmiller, has signed up for a rematch. Are the voters still steamed over Curtis's push for taxpayer support of a professional soccer stadium? We'll see.

Fred Des Posorio will challenge Sen. Curtis Bramble, of Provo, who beat the Democrat in 2004. "I cannot wait for the second round," Des Posorio said.

Des Posorio, a native of Peru, has said he is an advocate for immigrants, regardless of which country they have come from. We're not sure that's a winning approach in today's atmosphere, but Des Posorio may prove us wrong.

Other races, if not stacking the same candidates against each other, seem to offer another chance to flesh out important issues. State school board attorney Jean Hill will run against Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, a Republican. They clashed in last year's voucher debate; that and related issues seem sure to come up. We welcome the continued discussion.

Not that success is assured. Utah Democrats are running urban planner and longtime activist Bob Springmeyer against GOP Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., and Springmeyer has said his chances of winning the lottery are better than his chances of beating the governor. He's probably right, although he may be able to exploit chinks in the governor's armor. It will be an uphill battle. Huntsman remains a popular leader, and is a canny politician who's unlikely to make blunders his opponent can capitalize on.

Of course, not all candidates are equally serious. The first person to file against the governor was Monty Nafoosi, a Bountiful real estate developer who was charged by Bountiful police Jan. 2 with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Such incidents, regardless of guilt or innocence, seldom precede triumph at the polls.

The big question this year is whether the Democrats will offer better ideas and a clearer vision of Utah's future. If they're just going to be paid-for mouthpieces for labor unions or special interest groups, they ought to just stay home and save themselves time and money. We would prefer that they bring valid insights, sound plans, energy and integrity with them as they become more engaged.

We congratulate those Democrats who had the courage to take on the dominant party. May the campaigns invigorate Utah politics, and may the best men and women win.

Do you agree?