# Utah Political Watch > Utah Political Watch: Independent political journalism covering Utah state and local politics. Fearless, reader-funded reporting holding officials accountable. Public Ghost content for AI and LLM tooling. This file includes a bounded export of public pages first, then recent public posts. Append `.md` to any post or page URL to get the content in Markdown (for example, `/example-post.md`). ## Pages ### About Utah Political Watch URL: https://utahpolitics.news/about/ Last updated: 2025-10-21T20:40:41.000Z ****Utah Political Watch exists to hold every politician, bureaucrat, and power broker in Utah accountable—no exceptions, no sacred cows, no pulled punches.** ****We answer to readers, not advertisers. We answer to the truth, not access. We don't bow, we don't flinch, and we sure as hell don't ask permission.** [Become a subscriber ](#/portal/signup/free) ### We Don't Play Nice Utah Political Watch is independent political journalism with teeth. No corporate owners telling us to soften the blow. No billionaire overlords with political agendas. No special interests greasing the wheels. Just reporting that makes powerful people uncomfortable—which is exactly how it should be. Publisher and Managing Editor Bryan Schott has covered Utah politics for over 25 years. He's seen enough backroom deals, enough spin, and enough outright bullshit to know that Utah needs a news outlet that can't be bought, can't be intimidated, and won't shut up when things get messy. ### Without Fear or Favor Here's what you need to know about how we operate: **We don't pick sides. We pick facts.** Republican or Democrat, urban or rural, business or labor—if you're doing something shady, we're reporting it. Party affiliation isn't a shield here. Neither is being "on the right side." We're not your cheerleaders or your attack dogs. 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Entire Agreement These Terms of Service constitute the entire agreement between you and Utah Political Watch regarding your subscription and supersede any prior agreements. ### Subscribe URL: https://utahpolitics.news/subscribe/ Last updated: 2026-04-02T22:08:23.000Z _No content available._ ## Posts ### These are the Utah House and Senate races both parties are targeting in November URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-house-senate-races-targeted-2026/ Last updated: 2026-09-11T20:57:44.000Z Republicans hold enough seats in the Utah Legislature that November won't change who's in charge. What it could change is the size of their supermajorities, and campaign finance filings show exactly which races both parties think are winnable. Follow the campaign cash, and a short list of targeted races comes into focus. The Utah House Republican Election Committee and House Speaker Mike Schultz's leadership PAC are spending heavily in a handful of districts, aiming to shore up vulnerable incumbents and pick up a seat or two to widen the GOP's advantage. The Utah House Democratic Leadership Council is spending too, just not on the same scale. ### HOUSE RACES **HD09** — Incumbent Republican Jake Sawyer has taken in $5,000 from the Utah House Republican Election Committee and $10,000 from Schultz's leadership PAC, cash meant to counter a wave of small-dollar donations to Democratic challenger Angela Choberka. Choberka has raised more than $12,500 from 110 individual donations since mid-June. Sawyer's $21,250 over that same period has come entirely from corporations and PACs. The seat is rated "Likely Republican" [in our House race ratings](https://utahpolitics.news/2026-utah-house-ratings/), but the Utah Competitiveness Index suggests it could be competitive for a Democrat. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/09/Podcast-Art-01.jpg)](https://specialsession.podbean.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) Subscribe to Special Session. Utah politics: straight talk, no spin. New episodes drop weekly. [Subscribe to the podcast ](https://specialsession.podbean.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) **HD10** — This was [one of the most expensive contests in 2024](https://utahpolitics.news/big-money-in-utah-politics-candidates-spent-5-8-million-in-2024-legislative-races/), when Republican Jill Koford beat Democrat Rosemary Lesser by just over 300 votes after the two campaigns spent more than $290,000 combined. Lesser is running again; Koford isn't—she's seeking the open Senate seat in District 5 instead. Republicans are pouring money in behind Jim Alvey, who faced a steep cash deficit against Lesser after winning the nomination. Alvey has since raised more than $45,000, most of it from just two donations: $20,000 from the House GOP Election PAC and $15,000 from Schultz's leadership PAC. Lesser entered June with more than $40,000 cash on hand and has raised another $56,000 since. The House Democratic Leadership Council has given her campaign $5,000. The race is rated "Lean Democrat." **HD26** — This is shaping up to be one of the most competitive House races in the 2026 cycle. Incumbent Republican Matt MacPherson, seeking his second full term, beat his Democratic opponent by fewer than 1,000 votes two years ago. The House Republican PAC has put $30,000 behind him and Schultz's PAC has added $20,000\. Those two donations account for nearly 80% of everything MacPherson has raised since mid-June. House Democrats have given his challenger, Michael Finch, $5,000. MacPherson's incumbency is the main reason HD26 is rated "Lean Republican," but the Utah Competitiveness Index shows the underlying dynamics give the Democratic candidate a fighting chance to flip the seat. **HD27** — The House GOP PAC and Schultz's leadership PAC have each given $10,000 to Republican incumbent Anthony Loubet. Democratic challenger Liz Oates has raised more than $35,000 since mid-June, including $2,500 from the House Democrats' PAC. The race is rated "Likely R," though the Utah Competitiveness Index suggests it's closer than that rating implies. **HD30** — Republicans clearly see this as a pickup opportunity. Republican Dave Parke holds a 2.2-to-1 fundraising edge over incumbent Democrat Jake Fitisemanu—enough of an advantage that we moved the race to "Lean Republican" in our most recent ratings update. House Republicans and Schultz's leadership PAC have each given Parke $10,000; Gov. Spencer Cox kicked in another $5,000\. House Democrats have contributed $4,000 to Fitisemanu's campaign. **HD35** — Republicans may see an opening here too, though a narrower one than in other districts. The House GOP PAC and Schultz's leadership PAC have each given $5,000 to Republican candidate Monique Ketcham. Democratic incumbent Rosalba Dominguez hasn't raised any money since her mid-June report, when she disclosed just $977 cash on hand. The heavily Democratic seat is rated "Lean D." **HD44** — The House GOP and Schultz's PAC have donated a combined $45,000 to Republican incumbent Jordan Teuscher, $25,000 of it for his primary against Scott Stephenson. Teuscher now holds a wide cash advantage over Democrat Jess Birtcher heading into November. **HD59** — Donations in the race to succeed retiring Rep. Mike Kohler suggest this contest could be unexpectedly competitive in November. Republican Luke Searle is coming off a bruising primary, where he won the nomination by just 627 votes. House Republicans and Schultz's PAC donated $10,000 and $5,000, respectively, to his campaign last month. Democrat Celeste Johnson has slightly outraised Searle since mid-June, pulling in more than $25,000 in campaign cash. The two PAC donations are the only reason Searle has kept pace. The race is rated "Lean Republican," but the Utah Competitiveness Index gives Johnson a realistic shot at flipping the seat in November. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) **SENATE RACES** The Utah Republican Senate Campaign Committee has directed most of its big money this cycle toward three incumbents who faced tough primaries: $55,000 each to Sens. Brady Brammer and Dan McCay, and $40,000 to Senate President Stuart Adams. Adams and McCay both lost anyway. The committee also gave $15,000 to Sen. Scott Sandall's race in SD01, which is curious given Sandall reported more than $100,000 cash on hand in his most recent disclosure. Sandall's seat is rated "Safe Republican." Adams runs his own leadership PAC, like Schultz. Its only spending this cycle was more than $165,000 in cash and in-kind support for his own primary campaign, which he lost. ### Federal appeals court won't pause Utah's gambling crackdown on Kalshi URL: https://utahpolitics.news/kalshi-utah-gambling-law-appeal/ Last updated: 2026-09-09T20:37:29.000Z A federal appeals court won't stop Utah from enforcing its anti-gambling law against Kalshi while the prediction-market company fights the case on appeal. [In a brief order Tuesday](https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73726907/19/kalshiex-v-cox/?ref=utahpolitics.news), a two-judge panel of the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Kalshi hadn't met the legal standard for an injunction pending appeal. The panel didn't decide the central question in the case—whether federal commodities law overrides Utah's gambling statute when it comes to Kalshi's event contracts. That question is still pending before the court. Kalshi is a federally regulated exchange where users trade contracts tied to the outcome of real-world events. [The company sued Utah officials](https://utahpolitics.news/kalshi-sues-to-block-utah-from-cracking-down-on-prediction-markets/) after the state threatened to enforce its gambling laws against it. Kalshi says it operates as a designated contract market regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and that the Commodity Exchange Act gives the CFTC exclusive authority over trading on its platform. Enforcing Utah's law, the company argues, would expose it to civil and criminal liability and force it to choose between complying with the state or following a CFTC order directing it to keep the exchange running. Kalshi also warns that if states can apply their own gambling laws to its contracts, federally regulated markets could end up governed by a patchwork of conflicting rules from state to state. Attorneys for Utah argue Kalshi is using federal commodities regulation as cover to sidestep a gambling ban the state has long enforced and that the Commodity Exchange Act doesn't strip Utah of its authority to apply gambling laws that hit everyone equally. They argue regulating the public health and social costs of gambling is the responsibility of the state, not the CFTC. A federal district court in Utah [already sided with the state once](https://utahpolitics.news/judge-kalshi-utah-gambling-laws-ruling/), denying Kalshi's request for preliminary relief and granting Utah summary judgment. Kalshi appealed that ruling to the Denver-based 10th Circuit. For now, Tuesday's order leaves Utah free to enforce its gambling laws against Kalshi. The larger question, whether federal law preempts that authority, remains open, and the appeals court hasn't indicated when it will rule. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Charlie Kirk's legacy, one year later: A Conversation with Jared Holt URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/charlie-kirk-legacy-one-year-later/ Last updated: 2026-09-09T20:16:07.000Z One year ago this week, Charlie Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University. In the twelve months since, the battle over what that assassination means has never really stopped. There's the sanctified, quasi-martyr version of Kirk promoted on Fox News and at Turning Point USA events. There's a mocking, AI-generated "Kirkification" of his image that has spread across every corner of the internet. And there's Candace Owens, who has built a conspiracy-fueled following largely by attacking Turning Point's own account of what happened. While in Provo, the case against Tyler Robinson, the man charged with firing the shot, is grinding through Utah's courts toward a trial that will unfold largely independent of whatever cable news and group chats have already decided is true. To help make sense of where all of that actually stands a year later, I sat down with Jared Holt, a journalist and researcher who specializes in hate and extremist movements in the United States. Holt is currently a senior researcher at Open Measures, an open-source social intelligence platform, and co-hosts the podcast Posting Through It, one of the most essential shows for understanding far-right and extremist movements in the U.S. Watch or listen to the full conversation above. A few highlights. **Holt says Kirk's death is being used exactly how Kirk would have wanted.** "I think taking his death, immediately politicizing it and using it to attack the left in this country is precisely what Charlie Kirk would have wanted to happen," Holt told me. He pointed to the wave of firings and public pressure campaigns aimed at anyone who didn't sufficiently mourn Kirk. **The MAGA movement has lost the battle over Kirk's public memory**, Holt argues. A year on, he says the internet has settled into treating Kirk as "more meme than man," with AI-generated songs, memes and a whole slang vocabulary—"Kirkified" and "Kirkuanly"—eclipsing any serious engagement with what Kirk actually said or believed. **Nobody has stepped in to fill the void Kirk left**. Holt doesn't see a clear successor to the role Kirk played holding together often-warring factions of the online right—not Turning Point USA's Jack Posobiec, and not Nick Fuentes, despite Fuentes' ambitions. "My read of the MAGA movement today is that it is just completely lost," Holt said. "It does not have a center of gravity." **The Tyler Robinson trial means different things to different audiences**. For Turning Point USA and its allies, Holt says, the trial represents a chance to finally put a year of conspiracy theories to rest. For Candace Owens' audience, it's simply more fuel for the fire. We also talked about what to expect from Thursday's memorial event at UVU, emceed by Glenn Beck, and why Holt thinks the people closest to Kirk may actually have an incentive to stay quiet as the case moves toward trial. [Follow Jared Holt on Bluesky](https://bsky.app/profile/jaredlholt.bsky.social?ref=utahpolitics.news) [Posting Through It podcast](https://www.patreon.com/cw/PostingThroughIt?ref=utahpolitics.news) [Open Measures](https://blog.openmeasures.io/?ref=utahpolitics.news) ### Utah lawmakers spent $10 million on a race car with no public debate URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-race-car-10-million-no-public-debate/ Last updated: 2026-09-08T21:55:39.000Z A centerpiece exhibit in the new Museum of Utah, located inside the new North Capitol Building, is the Mormon Meteor III, a vintage race vehicle once driven by Ab Jenkins to set land speed records at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Records obtained by Utah Political Watch show the state agreed to pay $20 million for it, split evenly between taxpayer money and a corporate donation. This is the first time the purchase price has been made public. Lawmakers approved the taxpayer half of the funding with almost no public discussion. ## The deal In May 2023, the [Utah Cultural and Community Engagement Foundation](https://cobi.utah.gov/fund/2146?ref=utahpolitics.news) (CCE Foundation) signed a purchase agreement with the Price Automotive Museum, also known as the Price Museum of Speed, to buy the Meteor along with associated artifacts, including a bust of Ab Jenkins, his goggles, timing watch and original steering wheel. The contract spreads the $20 million purchase price across five installments running from 2023 through July 2027\. The deal moved much faster than the paperwork suggests: the state made its $10 million down payment in 2023, and Rio Tinto Kennecott covered the rest with a $10 million donation that same year. Asked about the $20 million purchase price, Heidi Tak, deputy commissioner of the Department of Cultural and Community Engagement, called the Mormon Meteor III "priceless." “There’s no other car like it in the world,” Tak said. “The Price Automotive Museum recognized the significance of this car belonging to the people of Utah and sold to the state for the $20 million agreed-upon price.” “The Museum of Utah team has been partnering with community members for years to create a space that will reflect the history, art, and culture of our state,” Tim Glenn, director of the Museum of Utah, said in a statement. “We are thrilled to secure this incredible piece of history on behalf of the people of Utah.” ## Where the money came from Half of the Meteor's purchase price came from a massive budget bill approved on the final day of the 2023 legislative session ([SB3, Item 128](https://le.utah.gov/~2023/bills/static/SB0003.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)), which sent $3.8 million from the General Fund and $8.2 million from a restricted capital account to the [Utah Heritage and Arts Foundation](https://philanthropy.org/990/report/853721660/utah-heritage-and-arts-foundation-inc?ref=utahpolitics.news), a nonprofit created by the Department of Cultural and Community Engagement. Intent language attached to the $12 million said it would match private donations for art and artifact acquisition and build an endowment for the new museum. None of that appropriation was publicly linked to the Mormon Meteor. Lawmakers never discussed what the $12 million would actually buy beyond the vague "match private donations…for art and acquisition" language buried in the bill text. No appropriations committee discussed the funding during the 2023 session, and it never appeared on any committee's list of priority funding items. The appropriation first surfaced publicly on Feb. 24, [in a list of consolidated budget motions](https://le.utah.gov/interim/2023/pdf/00002187.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news) from the Executive Appropriations Committee, the Legislature's top budget panel. That proposal included only $8.2 million, shifted from the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity to the Museum of Utah. The money was to be used by the museum to acquire art and artifacts and could only be used as a one-to-one match with private funds. At the committee's March 2 meeting, [the motion was revised](https://le.utah.gov/interim/2023/pdf/00002290.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news) to add another $3.8 million from the General Fund. The committee didn't discuss the item and approved it unanimously. The full Legislature passed the budget the next day. Rio Tinto Kennecott announced its $10 million donation [in a November 2023 press release](https://www.riotinto.com/en/news/releases/2023/rio-tinto-kennecott-donates-10-million-to-museum-of-utah?ref=utahpolitics.news) that made no mention of the Mormon Meteor or that the money would help buy a vintage race car for a state museum. The state didn't publicly disclose it had acquired the car until a [Sept. 3, 2025 press release](https://history.utah.gov/blog/driving-history-forward-utah-historical-society-acquires-the-mormon-meteor-iii-for-state-collection/?ref=utahpolitics.news), which made no mention of the price. Even state officials were kept in the dark about the purchase or the details of Rio Tinto Kennecott’s donation until last month. Internal communications obtained by Utah Political Watch show them scrambling to track down documents and piece together the details of the deal. In an email containing the purchase documents, Assistant State Comptroller Patricia Nelson noted that two payments had already been made toward the purchase. "It's only been through oral discussion that the additional $10M was going to be paid by private donations from Rio Tinto," Nelson wrote. The contract also required a three-person Mormon Meteor Committee to oversee the car's care, maintenance and display: one member chosen by the Price Museum of Speed, one by the Utah Historical Society, and a member of the public with experience in vintage automobiles. Tak says the committee has been formed and meets at least annually, but no recordings or minutes from those meetings are available. ## How Utah got the car in the first place In 1943, Jenkins sold the car to the State of Utah for $1, on the condition that it be kept indoors, maintained and displayed to the public at the Capitol. He retained the right to remove it for land-speed record attempts, which he did twice between 1949 and 1951. In 1971, the car was taken from the Capitol for a local parade and left outdoors afterward, where it was vandalized and damaged by exposure to the elements. It was eventually returned indoors. In 1996, Marvin Jenkins—Ab's son—took possession of the Meteor, claiming the state had broken the agreement by failing to maintain it properly. After Marvin restored the car, Ambassador John Price and the Price Museum of Speed acquired it in 2007\. The purchase price was never disclosed. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Disagree better, except about insurrections URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/spencer-cox-pardon-trump-biden/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T22:10:06.000Z On this week's episode of Special Session, we break down the latest shifts in our 2026 race ratings, a shakeup in Senate District 11, a troubling USPS whistleblower report, and new reporting on Gov. Spencer Cox's upcoming book. - **House and Senate ratings updated.** New campaign finance filings [moved five House races](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-house-no-toss-up-races-2026/). HD26 and HD30 both look more competitive than their voting history alone suggests once you factor in the Utah Competitiveness Index, and Senate District 5 could be one of the closest races on the ballot. - **SD11 becomes a one-on-one race**. [Democrat Mackenzie Miller dropped out](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-senate-district-11-democrat-withdraws/) on the final day possible, clearing a head-to-head contest between Forward Party incumbent Emily Buss and Republican Brooks Benson. A Buss win would make her the first third-party candidate elected to the Utah Legislature since 1916. - **USPS whistleblower report raises alarms.** [A new report](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/whistleblower-postal-services-work-to-comply-with-trump-order-is-rushed-and-sloppy?ref=utahpolitics.news) alleges USPS kept building a mail-ballot verification system for Trump's election order despite court orders to stop, and that a single mismatched name in a batch can void every ballot in it. Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson is pushing back publicly. - **Spencer Cox's book, Off-Ramp, drops next week.** New reporting reveals Cox privately pitched President Biden on pardoning Donald Trump after Jan. 6 to "lower the temperature." - **Two more picks for the Utah Supreme Court.** Judge Matthew Bell and attorney Mike Menssen are nominated to fill two vacancies, which would give Gov. Cox six of the court's seven seats pending Senate confirmation. 🎥 **Watch or listen to the full episode** [at this link](https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-st84k-1b4de36?ref=utahpolitics.news). ### Going live in 2 hours: Utah legislative races, SD11 shakeup and Cox's books deal URL: https://utahpolitics.news/going-live-in-2-hours-utah-legislative-races-sd11-shakeup-and-coxs-books-deal-2/ Last updated: 2026-09-01T23:30:56.000Z Tonight at 7:30 p.m., we're going live with What the Heck is Happening in Utah Politics? **On tonight's agenda:** - **Two months out:** Where things stand in the races for the Utah Legislature - **Updated ratings:** A fresh breakdown of our Utah House race ratings - **SD11 shakeup:** The Democrat just dropped out, turning it into a Forward Party vs. Republican fight - **Cox's next chapter:** What we know about Spencer Cox's upcoming book - **Bench update:** Gov. Cox names two more nominees to the Utah Supreme Court - **The price tag:** What Trump's mass deportation plan could actually cost Utahns - **"Catastrophic and entirely unavoidable":** Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson's blunt warning about the USPS mail ballot rule and the 2026 election Streaming on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitch [Watch on YouTube](https://youtube.com/live/VI8ZQIz91l0?ref=utahpolitics.news) [Watch on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/schotthappens/videos/1390479055748157/) [Watch on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/schotthappens/?ref=utahpolitics.news) [Watch on TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/live/event/7680634870942400543?ref=utahpolitics.news) [Watch on Twitch](https://www.tiktok.com/@schotthappens?ref=utahpolitics.news) ### Democrat drops out of SD11 race, setting up Forward Party vs. GOP matchup URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-senate-district-11-democrat-withdraws/ Last updated: 2026-09-02T16:10:23.000Z Emily Buss, the lone Utah Forward Party member in the Utah Legislature, faces a steep climb to keep her seat and win a full term representing Senate District 11 in November. That path got a bit easier Monday. Democrat Mackenzie Miller withdrew from the SD11 race, leaving Buss in a head-to-head contest against Republican nominee Brooks Benson. Miller will not appear on the November ballot. In an email statement, the Forward Party of Utah said Miller's exit changes the race. "With the Democratic candidate out of the race, voters will now have a choice between the Forward Party incumbent and her Republican challenger," the statement read. "What happens next in Senate District 11 is more than a competition for a single seat. It's a contest between the status quo and a new vision for how our political system might work." Buss was appointed to the Senate after winning a special election to replace former Sen. Daniel Thatcher, who [switched his party affiliation](https://utahpolitics.news/sen-daniel-thatcher-abandons-gop-the-public-is-being-treated-with-contempt-2/) to the Utah Forward Party on the final day of the 2025 session, citing frustration with the GOP. [Thatcher resigned in October 2025](https://utahpolitics.news/sen-daniel-thatcher-announces-resignation-2-400-member-utah-forward-party-to-pick-his-replacement/), and Buss succeeded him. She is now the Forward Party's highest-ranking officeholder in the nation. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.21-Legislative-tracker-CTA.jpg)](https://utahpolitics.news/2026-utah-candidate-tracker/) [2026 Legislative Candidate Tracker ](https://utahpolitics.news/2026-utah-candidate-tracker/) Benson won the nomination at the GOP convention, defeating two other candidates, including former House Majority Whip John Knotwell. If Buss wins in November, she would be the first third-party candidate elected to the Utah Legislature in more than a century. [J. Alex Bevan won a Utah House seat](https://www.dialoguejournal.com/articles/socialist-saints-mormons-and-the-socialist-party-in-utah-1900-20-2/?ref=utahpolitics.news) from Tooele County on the Socialist Party ticket in 1914 and was re-elected in 1916\. In 1898, [Sherman S. Smith of Ogden won a House seat as a Populist](https://www.iandrinstitute.org/Utah.htm?ref=utahpolitics.news). The district leans heavily Republican. Registration statistics from L2 Political show 47% of SD11's registered voters are Republicans, 33.5% are unaffiliated, and just over 12% are Democrats. Donald Trump carried the district by nearly 35 points in 2024. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.08-Senate-Ratings-Cover-2.jpg)](https://utahpolitics.news/2026-utah-senate-race-ratings/) ****Which Utah Senate races could be competitive in 2026? Find out with our exclusive ratings.** [2026 Utah Senate race ratings ](https://utahpolitics.news/2026-utah-senate-race-ratings/) ### How this impacts our race rating _This post is for subscribers on the SUPPORTER ANNUAL and SUSTAINER ANNUAL tiers only._ ### Utah House map has no toss-up races for the first time URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-house-no-toss-up-races-2026/ Last updated: 2026-08-31T19:31:18.000Z Utah Political Watch has updated its 2026 Utah House race ratings after reviewing the latest campaign finance disclosures. Five districts moved as a result, and for the first time since we launched these ratings, the House map has no true toss-up race left. ### Where the map stands now All 75 House districts on the 2026 ballot now lean toward one party or the other, even if only slightly. [Updated House Race Ratings](https://utahpolitics.news/2026-utah-house-ratings/) Fundraising is usually the clearest early signal of which campaigns are actually viable. When we checked the latest filings against voter registration and three cycles of election results, several races sitting in competitive territory turned out to have financial gaps wide enough to settle the question. Not every race lined up neatly, though. Two districts showed a real contradiction between the money and historical data, which is worth keeping an eye on. Those two races didn't change rating this cycle, but we're flagging them, and explaining exactly why, for anyone following the House map closely. Here's what changed and why. _This post is for subscribers on the SUPPORTER ANNUAL and SUSTAINER ANNUAL tiers only._ ### Subscriber only livestream tonight at 7 p.m. URL: https://utahpolitics.news/subscriber-only-livestream-tonight-at-7-p-m/ Last updated: 2026-08-31T19:00:36.000Z _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Tina Cannon is not backing down URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/tina-cannon-stuart-adams-feud/ Last updated: 2026-08-27T19:37:50.000Z We cover a lot of ground in this week's episode of "Special Session." Here's what we're talking about: - **Seven hours, zero progress.** The [Salt Lake County GOP's Central Committee met Saturday](https://utahpolitics.news/salt-lake-county-gop-chair-survives-ouster-vote/) to lay out its plan for winning the 2026 midterms. Instead, nearly 400 delegates spent the entire day re-litigating an internal power struggle. - **Tina Cannon vs. Stuart Adams.** The outgoing Senate president demands retractions from four critics, including State Auditor Tina Cannon. [Her lawyer's response letter](https://utahpolitics.news/tina-cannon-stuart-adams-cease-and-desist/) is blistering, accusing Adams of using the threat as a press stunt and inviting him to try his luck in court. - **What the Supreme Court's mail-in voting ruling means for Utah.** Monday's decision cracks the door open for the Trump administration to restrict USPS delivery of ballots. Here's why that matters. - **Enes Kanter Freedom picks a fight at a WNBA game** and gets banned from the arena. Senator Mike Lee defends him anyway. 🎧 Listen to the full episode and subscribe [at this link](https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-xv9e2-1b45ea0?ref=utahpolitics.news). 📺 [Watch on YouTube](https://youtu.be/93Ef4LMqw%5FM?ref=utahpolitics.news): [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### With the midterms 70 days away, Salt Lake County Republicans spent Saturday fighting each other URL: https://utahpolitics.news/salt-lake-county-gop-chair-survives-ouster-vote/ Last updated: 2026-08-25T19:26:35.000Z Ballots go out to Utah voters in about 50 days, and the 2026 midterms are 70 days away. The Salt Lake County Republican Party’s central committee spent seven hours of one of those days trying to oust its chair, Mike Carey, and voting to reinstate a former vice chair removed from office in June, even though party bylaws don't allow it. [Read More at Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/) Saturday's meeting was supposed to give the party's governing body its first look at the playbook for 2026\. Instead, it became the latest flashpoint in a months-long grievance campaign that has consumed the party. "The midterms in Salt Lake County are the most important in the state," Carey told committee members. "With 34% of the state's population, whichever direction Salt Lake County goes, the rest of the state follows." That message got lost. Instead of focusing on winning elections, the meeting was dominated by a small group of party dissidents pressing grievances that date back to February. ### How it started In February, the party [disciplined seven members](https://utahpolitics.news/salt-lake-county-gop-bans-seven-members-through-2030-after-endorsement-dispute-spirals-into-criminal-allegations/) for leveling false claims of election interference against party leaders stemming from a plan to endorse candidates in municipal elections. The members had sent letters to prosecutors in several Utah cities and the U.S. Justice Department urging charges against party officers. In response, the party removed them from their positions and imposed multiyear bans from party events. In June, the fallout reached the party’s second-highest office. The executive committee [voted to remove Vice Chair Sara Montes](https://utahpolitics.news/salt-lake-county-gop-ousts-vice-chair-sarah-montes/), finding her "unwilling or incapable" of fulfilling her duties. The committee cited several reasons: Montes had recused herself from the February disciplinary meeting, then publicly criticized the punishments handed down to the other members. During a May central committee meeting, an effort to overturn those punishments failed by a single vote. During the debate, Montes left her position on the dais to whip votes in favor of overturning the decision. She also publicly questioned the legitimacy of the vote count. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Cannon calls Adams' cease-and-desist letter a 'press release' URL: https://utahpolitics.news/tina-cannon-stuart-adams-cease-and-desist/ Last updated: 2026-08-24T18:26:00.000Z Utah State Auditor Tina Cannon is firing back at lame-duck Senate President Stuart Adams, who threatened legal action last week unless she retracted statements she made about him on a far-right podcast. Adams, through his attorney, [sent cease and desist letters to four people](https://utahpolitics.news/stuart-adams-legal-case-utah/), including Cannon, demanding retractions for statements he called defamatory. The two have been feuding for more than a year over his push to evict the auditor from her offices on the second floor of the Utah State Capitol so the Senate Republican caucus can carve out more space for part-time lawmakers. In a letter dated Aug. 21 and shared with Utah Political Watch, Cannon's attorney said Adams' cease-and-desist demand looked less like a legitimate legal threat and more like a media stunt, saying the letters appear to have been leaked to the press before they reached their intended recipients. “Your letter seems to have the press as an audience as it takes the form of an attempted ‘set the record straight’ opinion piece,” the letter says. “In fact, it appears your client was more interested in using the letter as a press release than as an attempt to resolve a dispute.” The response also scolds Adams for airing his grievances against Cannon publicly instead of pursuing other options. “Instead of using proper political means at his disposal, or even asking for a private one-on-one meeting with Auditor Cannon, your client chose the bully’s route,” the letter says. “Using an unrelated dispute with Auditor Cannon in an improper attempt to distract from Senator Adams’ political failings that resulted in his recent primary loss is improper.” Adams lost to Stephanie Hollist in June’s GOP primary. According to the letter from Adams' attorney, he objected to statements Cannon made during an appearance on a conspiracy-laden podcast about the effort to relocate her office, a dispute that has simmered between the two for more than a year. He also disputed Cannon's claim that he influenced legislation changing Utah's child rape laws after his step-granddaughter, then 18, [was charged with four felony counts](https://utahpolitics.news/after-sen-stuart-adams-backed-a-change-to-the-law-his-step-grandchild-got-a-plea-deal-in-child-rape-case/) for having sex with a 13-year-old boy. Cannon said the legislation "set the penalty for his granddaughter." The legislation was not retroactive and did not apply to his granddaughter, but the judge, prosecutors and defense attorneys all cited it as a major factor in her plea deal. She was initially charged with two counts of rape of a child and two counts of sodomy on a child, all first-degree felonies. She eventually pleaded guilty to second-degree felony aggravated assault and three misdemeanor counts of sexual battery. In 2024, months before Cannon was elected, lawmakers approved legislation to move the state auditor out of its second-floor Capitol offices. The bill required that the auditor be given "substantially similar space" elsewhere in the building. In the final days of the 2025 legislative session, [Republicans made an eleventh-hour change](https://utahpolitics.news/utahs-first-female-state-auditor-booted-from-capitol-in-legislative-land-grab/) that stripped the "substantially similar" requirement and moved the auditor's office elsewhere in the Capitol Hill complex. The revised bill also added the Utah Elections Office to the list of agencies being evicted from the second floor to make room for legislative offices. It failed to pass after pushback. In December 2025, [Cannon sued the Capitol Preservation Board](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/12/15/utah-auditor-sued-over-plan-to-move-her-office-then-board-re-voted-to-dodge-her-challenge/?ref=utahpolitics.news), which oversees Capitol office space, alleging it violated Utah's open meetings law at a September meeting where it voted to move her office to the first floor. She claimed the board's agenda didn't disclose the relocation. She dropped the suit days later after the board held a revote to resolve the open meetings questions. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/07/Schott-subscribers-cover.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/groups/1553632499770757) ****Beehive State Politics Facebook group** If you're looking for substantive discussion about Utah political news instead of the usual social media free-for-all, this is the group for you. [JOIN GROUP ](https://www.facebook.com/groups/1553632499770757) On the podcast, Cannon said Adams "controls" the Capitol Preservation Board. Adams' attorney countered that the board is a 12-person body that "is not governed or 'controlled' by a single individual, including Mr. Adams." Under statute, the governor or lieutenant governor chairs the board, while Adams and House Speaker Mike Schultz serve as vice chairs. Meeting records tell a much different story. Of 21 board meetings since January 2021, Adams has chaired more than half (57%), including four where the lieutenant governor, who by statute should have presided, was present. Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson attended eight meetings but chaired only five. Spencer Cox chaired one meeting in 2020 as lieutenant governor and oversaw the most recent meeting in May as governor; he also attended a December 2020 meeting that Adams chaired. Schultz chaired a single meeting in December 2021 because Adams was running late. Cannon's attorney said she would not comply with Adams' retraction demand, arguing her statements addressed public policy and her official duties and are legally protected. “In short, your protestations are hollow and without merit and it appears have failed to garner any sympathy in the press,” the letter reads. “Of course, if you proceed, we look forward to putting your client under oath for a thorough questioning of his claims and the role his own actions over the last several years played in his purported damages.” If Adams follows through and sues, Cannon's attorney said they would move to dismiss the claims under [Utah's Uniform Public Expression Protection Act](https://www.rcfp.org/anti-slapp-guide/utah/?ref=utahpolitics.news), the state's anti-SLAPP law, which protects statements "on a matter of public concern." "It is clear that any damages he has suffered, and there are likely none, are solely the result of his own actions, including those taken behind the scenes wielding influence as Senate President as reported in the press. Recent examples include his involvement with MIDA and the Box Elder County data center that has angered many voters." Uriah Kennedy and Ingrid Bettridge, the podcast’s hosts, also received letters from Adams demanding retractions. Both have [signaled on social media](https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1PSnFZUVGT/) that they do not intend to comply. Gabi Finlayson, a [political consultant with Elevate Utah](https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1HvWM61BQB/) and another target of Adams’ letters, has not said publicly how she plans to respond. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Video: Does Stuart Adams have a defamation case against his critics? URL: https://utahpolitics.news/stuart-adams-legal-case-utah/ Last updated: 2026-08-21T19:34:32.000Z Utah Senate President Stuart Adams, who lost his Republican primary in June, sent cease-and-desist letters this week demanding retractions from four people: State Auditor Tina Cannon, a political consultant and the hosts of a far-right podcast. The letters target statements made about four separate controversies: Adams' [granddaughter's 2023 criminal case](https://utahpolitics.news/after-sen-stuart-adams-backed-a-change-to-the-law-his-step-grandchild-got-a-plea-deal-in-child-rape-case/), the [Stratos data center project](https://utahpolitics.news/stuart-adams-pac-mida-donors-data-center-approval/) in Box Elder County, [alleged campaign finance violations](https://utahpolitics.news/top-utah-gop-lawmaker-accused-of-skirting-state-laws-on-campaign-finance-disclosures/), and a [dispute with State Auditor Tina Cannon](https://utahpolitics.news/utahs-first-female-state-auditor-booted-from-capitol-in-legislative-land-grab/) over office space in the Utah Capitol. The letters describe the statements as false and indicate Adams may pursue legal action if they are not retracted. Would Adams actually have a case if he followed through? The answer is more complicated than a simple "yes" or "no." Some of the claims made about Adams do contain real factual errors. But Utah's expanded anti-SLAPP law—which Adams himself voted for in 2023—sets a high bar for proving defamation, especially for a high-ranking public official. To win, Adams would need to show "actual malice," and if he can't clear that bar early in the case, he could end up paying the other side's legal fees. We break down all four controversies, what's true, what's not, and how a defamation case against each one would likely play out under Utah law. *This analysis is based on the cease-and-desist letters, Utah statute, and public records. It does not constitute legal advice.* [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Utah's natural resources chief took state-funded Argentina trip days before stepping down URL: https://utahpolitics.news/joel-ferry-argentina-trip-utah-dnr/ Last updated: 2026-08-20T19:44:57.000Z Utah's natural resources chief is on his way out, but not before taking a detour to Argentina. Joel Ferry, the outgoing commissioner of the Utah Department of Natural Resources, joined a state-funded diplomatic and trade mission to Argentina earlier this month, just weeks before his last day on the job. The delegation also included state lawmakers, government officials and one organization from the private sector. For this trip, the focus was on expanding the relationship between Utah State University and [Universidad Nacional de La Matanza](https://www.unlam.edu.ar/?ref=utahpolitics.news) and exploring partnerships in critical mineral supply chains and energy innovation. The delegation also met with officials to learn about [Mar Chiquita Lake](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mar%5FChiquita%5FLake?ref=utahpolitics.news), an important salt lake ecosystem, which is home to a [Wilson's phalarope](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilson%27s%5Fphalarope?ref=utahpolitics.news) population that migrates between Utah and Argentina. Ferry’s last day in Gov. Spencer Cox’s cabinet is Friday, Aug. 28\. He says he’s leaving to focus on [his family farm in Box Elder County](https://www.jyferry.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news) and to do lobbying and consulting work. His farm controls thousands of acres of agricultural land and wetlands bordering Bear River Bay and the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge at the northern end of the Great Salt Lake. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/07/Schott-subscribers-cover.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/groups/1553632499770757) ****Beehive State Politics Facebook group** If you're looking for substantive discussion about Utah political news instead of the usual social media free-for-all, this is the group for you. [JOIN GROUP ](https://www.facebook.com/groups/1553632499770757) So why bring him on the trip two weeks before he walks out the door? "As commissioner of the Utah Department of Natural Resources, Joel Ferry brings technical expertise across water stewardship and energy and mineral development. His participation ensures high-level continuity and lays the groundwork for a seamless transition the incoming commissioner can build upon," Kim Wells, communications director for DNR, said in an email response to questions from Utah Political Watch. Wells says Ferry's participation will ultimately benefit Utah taxpayers, despite his looming exit. "The trip directly benefits Utahns by advancing collaborative solutions for the Great Salt Lake, which is critical to the state’s environment and economy. The mission also accelerates strategic discussions on responsible energy and mineral development, driving long-term economic growth and resource resilience for Utah," Wells said. GOED did not respond to questions about what benefits Ferry’s inclusion would provide to Utah government when he’s set to leave his post in less than two weeks. Gov. Cox nominated Jamie Barnes, who currently serves as Utah state forester and director of the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, as Ferry's replacement. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Salt Lake City, County ask to pause lawsuit after DHS drops detention center plan URL: https://utahpolitics.news/salt-lake-city-detention-center-lawsuit/ Last updated: 2026-08-19T22:34:56.000Z Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County are pausing their federal lawsuit over a proposed immigration detention center at a warehouse northwest of the city, after the Department of Homeland Security said it [no longer plans to build the facility there](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/ice-eyes-selling-mega-warehouses-purchased-mass-detention-rcna347592?ref=utahpolitics.news). The city and county [sued in June](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/06/08/salt-lake-city-county-sue-federal-government-over-ice-detention-center/?ref=utahpolitics.news) to block the detention facility, which they said could house up to 10,000 people. They argued it would strain local water and sewage systems and could overwhelm emergency services and law enforcement. In July, DHS told the city and county it had dropped the plan and would instead [designate the warehouse as excess property](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/federal-officials-plan-to-offload-some-warehouses-purchased-for-immigrant-detention?ref=utahpolitics.news), which could be sold or transferred. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/08/2-YEARS-LARGE-HORIZONTAL-600X280.jpg)](https://utahpolitics.news/2ndbirthday) ****To celebrate 2 years of Utah Political Watch, new subscribers get 20% off through Aug. 31.** [CLAIM 20% OFF ➡️ ](https://utahpolitics.news/2ndbirthday) In a court filing Wednesday, the city, the county and DHS jointly asked the judge to pause the lawsuit for 60 days. The filing bars DHS from taking any action to convert the property into a detention center while the case is on hold. Within that period, both sides must file a joint update on the status of the property disposal process and propose next steps for the lawsuit. The pause ends automatically once that report is filed, or sooner if either side asks to lift it because the federal government's plans for the site change. The pause does not resolve or dismiss the case. It stops litigation for 60 days. It won't take effect until Judge Jill Parrish signs the proposed order. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### A Utah lawmaker's only opponent died. Now he's running unopposed. URL: https://utahpolitics.news/andrew-stoddard-unopposed-house-district-40/ Last updated: 2026-08-18T21:45:38.000Z Democratic Rep. Andrew Stoddard will run unopposed for reelection in November. His only opponent, Forward Party nominee [John Jackson, died in April at 71](https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/john-jackson-obituary?id=61340826&ref=utahpolitics.news), and the party has decided not to replace him on the ballot. Stoddard beat Wendy Davis by 94 votes in June's House District 40 Democratic primary. It's also too late for an unaffiliated candidate to enter the race—that filing deadline passed June 15\. Parties, however, can still replace a candidate who dies or withdraws; this year's deadline is Aug. 31, the last business day of the month. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/08/2-YEARS-LARGE-HORIZONTAL-600X280.jpg)](https://utahpolitics.news/2ndbirthday) ****To celebrate 2 years of Utah Political Watch, new subscribers get 20% off through Aug. 31.** [CLAIM 20% OFF ➡️ ](https://utahpolitics.news/2ndbirthday) Utah Forward Party communications director Phil Boileau said the party won't field a candidate now that Jackson is gone. “Losing John was a real loss to our community. He was a longtime supporter, first of the United Utah Party and then Forward, and he embodied our belief that elected officials should put independence and their constituents ahead of party machinery. We believe he would have run a great race against Rep. Stoddard,” Boileau said in a text message. He said Salt Lake County Forward Party leadership decided not to appoint a replacement. “Had we sought a replacement, we would have wanted to give Forward members as well as all unaffiliated voters in the district a meaningful opportunity both to seek the nomination and to choose who would carry it,” he said. “Doing that fairly takes real time and effort, and with our resources currently focused on supporting our other candidates and Sen. Emily Buss, we didn’t believe we could give that process the attention it deserved.” The Forward Party, formed last year when it [merged with the United Utah Party](https://utahpolitics.news/minor-political-parties-join-forces-face-uphill-battle-in-gop-dominated-utah/), will have 18 candidates on November ballots for the Utah Legislature, including Buss, who is seeking to keep her Senate District 11 seat after being appointed last year to [replace former Sen. Daniel Thatcher](https://utahpolitics.news/sen-daniel-thatcher-abandons-gop-the-public-is-being-treated-with-contempt-2/). The Forward Party made news earlier this year when delegates chose [not to nominate anyone in two races](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-forward-party-sits-out-1st-congressional-district-race-after-delegates-vote-for-no-candidate/), despite having candidates on the ballot. In Congressional District 1, delegates picked "No Candidate at This Time" over January Walker, who was seeking the nomination. In House District 3, Cache County delegates declined to nominate Ben Shaw. House District 40 isn't the only race headed toward an uncontested finish. Republican State School Board District 5 nominee [Michael Clara quit in May](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-school-board-gop-nominee-quits-sabotage-allegations-salt-lake-county/) after bizarrely accusing party leaders of sabotaging his campaign. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### To beat Republicans, should Democrats just... not run? URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/democrats-independent-candidates-red-states/ Last updated: 2026-08-14T22:39:22.000Z There's a dynamic playing out in Montana's U.S. Senate race that should be familiar to Utahns: an independent candidate is outpolling the Democrat in a three-way contest, and beats the Republican outright—but only if the Democrat drops out of the race entirely. It's the exact playbook Utah Democrats ran in 2022, clearing the field for Evan McMullin to take on Mike Lee one-on-one. McMullin lost, but he came closer to beating a Utah Republican senator than any Democrat had in 30 years. On the latest episode of *Special Session*, we sit down with G. Elliott Morris to break down the numbers behind this trend and what it means heading into 2026\. Morris is the former lead data editor at 538, and now runs the election-data newsletter [*Strength in Numbers*](https://www.gelliottmorris.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) and the forecasting site [*50 Plus* One](https://fiftyplusone.news/?ref=utahpolitics.news). We cover: - Why Montana's independent, Seth Bodnar, is outperforming the [Democrat in a race against Republican Kurt Alme](https://www.gelliottmorris.com/p/2026-07-28-exclusive-independent-leads-democrat-against-republican-montana?utm%5Fsource=publication-search), and why that only works if the Democrat drops out. - The same pattern in Nebraska, where independent Dan Osborne now leads the Republican incumbent. - The political science behind why voters break from their party once the "D" or "R" disappears from the ballot. - Trump's approval numbers sliding even in red states like Utah, and why. - [Morris's 2026 forecast](https://www.gelliottmorris.com/p/democrats-strongly-favored-to-take?ref=utahpolitics.news): 85% odds Democrats retake the House, 55% for the Senate. - How redistricting has already cost Democrats an estimated six House seats nationally. 🎧 Listen to the full episode: 📺 Watch on YouTube: [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/08/2-YEARS-LARGE-HORIZONTAL-600X280.jpg)](https://utahpolitics.news/2ndbirthday) ****To celebrate 2 years of Utah Political Watch, new subscribers get 20% off through Aug. 31.** [CLAIM 20% OFF ➡️ ](https://utahpolitics.news/2ndbirthday) ### Mike Lee says he's raising money for four GOP Senate hopefuls. Most of it goes to him. URL: https://utahpolitics.news/mike-lee-senate-fundraiser-keeps-donations/ Last updated: 2026-08-13T21:39:34.000Z Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee is warning Republicans they could lose control of the Senate if donors don’t step up to support GOP candidates in four key races. Unfortunately for those candidates, he’s keeping most of the donations for himself. On Monday, Lee sent out an email with the subject “4 races. 1 donation,” urging contributions for Ken Paxton in Texas, Barry Moore in Alabama, Harriet Hageman in Wyoming and Ralph Norman in South Carolina. “Our current Senate Majority cannot be taken for granted,” the email reads. “We can’t afford to lose ground in 2026—every seat matters, and the Democrats are already lining up money to take back control.” The pitch promises a single donation “will be spread out across these FOUR candidates” to help Republicans win in November. A large “SUPPORT ALL FOUR” button leads [to a fundraising page](https://secure.winred.com/mikelee/0bfdf334-7d2c-49de-9539-fff451d5fd1a?ref=utahpolitics.news) with photos of the four candidates. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/08/2-YEARS-LARGE-HORIZONTAL-600X280.jpg)](https://utahpolitics.news/2ndbirthday) ****To celebrate 2 years of Utah Political Watch, new subscribers can get 20% off through Aug. 31.** [CLAIM 20% OFF ➡️ ](https://utahpolitics.news/2ndbirthday) “I know times are tough right now, but if you could spare $5, $10, or even $25 today, your donation will be split among these four candidates who are fighting to WIN THEIR RACES and SECURE OUR SENATE MAJORITY,” the page screams. “I can’t stress this enough: the future of our country depends on these four Republicans winning their races. These Conservatives need our help.” Suggested contributions range from $10 to $250. Below those amounts, a disclaimer notes donations also benefit Friends of Mike Lee, his campaign account, without spelling out how the donations are split. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Fundraising reports reshape Utah Senate race ratings URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-senate-race-ratings-2026/ Last updated: 2026-08-11T19:39:54.000Z In politics, money isn't everything. But it isn't nothing, either. A campaign with real financial support can knock on doors, run ads, and reach undecided voters. A campaign with none of that can't compete, no matter how favorable the underlying numbers might suggest. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/08/2-YEARS-LARGE-HORIZONTAL-600X280.jpg)](https://utahpolitics.news/2ndbirthday) ****Our 2026 Utah Senate Race ratings are exclusively for annual subscribers.** ****To celebrate 2 years of Utah Political Watch, new subscribers get 20% off through Aug. 31.** [CLAIM 20% OFF ➡️ ](https://utahpolitics.news/2ndbirthday) The most recent disclosures from Utah Senate candidates show which races are actually competitive and which ones only look that way on paper. [Updated Senate Race Ratings](https://utahpolitics.news/2026-utah-senate-race-ratings/) Utah Political Watch reviewed the fundraising totals for every candidate in every contested Utah Senate race on the 2026 ballot. In several districts, the money confirms what our historical election data already showed. In at least two others, it tells a different story, and we're changing our race ratings as a result. Here's what changed and why. _This post is for subscribers on the SUPPORTER ANNUAL and SUSTAINER ANNUAL tiers only._ ### Sen. Cory Booker heads West to boost Utah Democrats URL: https://utahpolitics.news/cory-booker-utah-fundraiser/ Last updated: 2026-08-07T20:04:59.000Z New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker will visit Utah next week (Aug. 12) to rally Democrats and raise money, with stops in Salt Lake City and Park City. Utah Democratic Party Chair Brian King said Booker's team initiated the visit. The senator will headline a[ fundraising reception](https://secure.actblue.com/donate/fr-leg.udp081226?ref=utahpolitics.news) in downtown Salt Lake City on Wednesday afternoon and an evening fundraiser in Park City. A flier for the afternoon event says donations of $100 to $5,000 are required to attend. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/08/Booker-Flyer.png) King said he expects the visit to give Democrats a lift heading into November’s midterms. “I think what it really illustrates is Utah is rising in how people see it,” King said. “People are recognizing more and more that Utah is moving to the left, as are a lot of places in light of the “orange wind” in the sails of a lot of Democrats across the United States these days. “There are people who are taking notice of the movement and the direction that Utah is going. It says a lot to me that national figures recognize that Utah is on the rise in terms of being a state that Democrats need to take notice of.” Booker ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020\. Last year, he delivered the [longest continuous speech in U.S. Senate history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cory%5FBooker%27s%5Fmarathon%5Fspeech?ref=utahpolitics.news), speaking on the floor for 25 hours and 5 minutes. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### NAACP urges judge to dismiss DOJ's voter data lawsuit against Utah, citing 21 prior losses URL: https://utahpolitics.news/doj-voter-data-lawsuit-utah-naacp/ Last updated: 2026-08-06T22:41:20.000Z The Department of Justice’s scoreboard on its quest to force states to hand over voter rolls reads 0-21\. The NAACP is telling a federal judge to make it 0-22. [The DOJ sued Utah in February](https://utahpolitics.news/trump-doj-sues-utah-to-seize-voter-data/) to force the state to turn over the complete, unredacted voter database, including full names, birthdates, addresses and either a driver’s license number or partial Social Security numbers, under the banner of “election integrity.” The department argues the Civil Rights Act of 1960 requires election officials to turn over those records upon a written request from the attorney general, and that compliance is not optional. Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson said no, citing privacy and security concerns, and offered only what’s already public. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/07/Schott-subscribers-cover.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/groups/1553632499770757) ****Beehive State Politics Facebook group** If you're looking for substantive discussion about Utah political news instead of the usual social media free-for-all, this is the group for you. [JOIN GROUP ](https://www.facebook.com/groups/1553632499770757) The DOJ has filed similar suits against 29 states and Washington, D.C. Twenty-one have already been tossed, including recent losses in Washington, D.C., Connecticut, Kentucky, New Jersey and Illinois. Suits against Colorado and New Mexico, which are in the same federal judicial district as Utah, have been dismissed, too. In March, the NAACP and the NAACP Tri-State Conference of Utah, Idaho and Nevada [joined the Utah lawsuit](https://utahpolitics.news/trumps-doj-wants-utahs-full-voter-list-the-naacp-is-fighting-the-data-grab/), arguing that handing over unredacted voter data would chill their voter registration efforts and put minority communities at risk. [In Thursday’s filing](https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72334921/62/united-states-v-henderson/?ref=utahpolitics.news), the NAACP told the court that 21 federal courts have rejected the DOJ’s claims for unredacted voter lists and that the reasoning in those rulings matches their arguments in Utah. Henderson has been keeping a running tally of the DOJ’s losing streak on social media. After the 20th loss, in Colorado, she wrote: “This is a sinking ship for DOJ. Also, Colorado and New Mexico, whose cases have now both been dismissed, are in the same federal court district as Utah. Our case is still pending, but I have no reason to believe Utah’s outcome will be any different than the 20 states in a row that have had rulings in their favor.” > [ View on Threads](https://www.threads.com/@deidrehenderson/post/DboNynakWEI?ref=utahpolitics.news) On Thursday, after the Washington, D.C., dismissal, she was blunt. “0-21,” she wrote. “What the DOJ is demanding of states isn’t legal. Enough already.” > [ View on Threads](https://www.threads.com/@deidrehenderson/post/DbtfKaSlPJI?ref=utahpolitics.news) [In another court filing last month](https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72334921/60/united-states-v-henderson/?ref=utahpolitics.news), Henderson pointed to six other suits that had already been dismissed, arguing Utah's case should be thrown out as well. [The DOJ's response](https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72334921/61/united-states-v-henderson/?ref=utahpolitics.news): those courts got it wrong. No hearing date has been set. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Mike Lee sees dead people URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/mike-lee-sees-dead-people/ Last updated: 2026-08-05T19:25:27.000Z We covered a lot of ground on the latest episode of Special Session: - **Sen. Mike Lee's SAVE America Act** is stalled in the Senate, so he's recruiting dead people to try to resurrect the bill. He invoked Charlie Kirk on social media this week, just a few weeks after doing the same thing with Lindsey Graham. - **Federal Judge Robert Shelby** rules Utah's gambling ban isn't preempted by federal commodities law, dealing prediction market operator Kalshi a major loss, with an appeal likely. - **Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson** highlights the Justice Department's 0-20 record suing states over voter rolls, plus the Trump administration's renewed push to restrict vote-by-mail through USPS. - **Medicaid work requirements** from last year's federal budget bill are set to take effect in 2027, with state officials estimating roughly 40,000 Utahns will lose coverage. - **Sen. John Curtis** backs Todd Blanche for attorney general and takes heat from the right over his temporary-worker visa bill. Plus, diarrhea lettuce and salmonella jalapenos. 🎧 [**Listen to the full episode**](https://specialsession.podbean.com/e/mike-lee-sees-dead-people/?ref=utahpolitics.news) **of *Special Session with Bryan Schott,*** available wherever you get your podcasts and on the [Utah Political Watch YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@utahpoliticalwatch?ref=utahpolitics.news). [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Judge rejects Kalshi's bid to dodge Utah's anti-gambling laws URL: https://utahpolitics.news/judge-kalshi-utah-gambling-laws-ruling/ Last updated: 2026-08-04T19:45:12.000Z Utah just won a big round against prediction market operator Kalshi. A federal judge ruled Tuesday that the company can’t hide behind commodities law to dodge the state’s anti-gambling rules. [U.S. District Judge Robert Shelby ruled Tuesday](https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72318500/65/kalshiex-llc-v-cox/authorities/?ref=utahpolitics.news) that the Commodity Exchange Act does not preempt Utah from enforcing its gambling laws against [Kalshi's sports-based markets](https://kalshi.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news), rejecting the company's argument that federal oversight of its exchange shields it from state enforcement. Federal regulation by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), he found, doesn't immunize Kalshi's event contracts from Utah treating them as sports gambling. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/07/Schott-subscribers-cover.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/groups/1553632499770757) ****Beehive State Politics Facebook group** If you're looking for substantive discussion about Utah political news instead of the usual social media free-for-all, this is the group for you. [JOIN GROUP ](https://www.facebook.com/groups/1553632499770757) [Kalshi sued Utah in February](https://utahpolitics.news/kalshi-sues-to-block-utah-from-cracking-down-on-prediction-markets/), saying the state was preparing to block its operations under the state’s anti-gambling laws. Kalshi and similar prediction markets let users trade yes/no contracts on real-world events. Each “yes” has a matching “no.” If the event happens, “yes” pays; if it doesn’t, “no” pays. The company said its markets are federally regulated financial products, not betting, because users trade with each other rather than against the house. It argued federal law gives the CFTC exclusive authority over its business and bars Utah from shutting it down. Kalshi asked the court to block Utah from enforcing its anti-gambling laws against its sports event markets. Shelby disagreed, finding that federal law does not override Utah’s ability to treat those contracts as gambling. “The court concludes the federal law relied upon by Kalshi does not preempt Utah’s ability to enforce its anti-gambling laws,” Shelby wrote. “It would be inconsistent for Congress to allow States to regulate their gambling laws but to simultaneously require States to provide citizens access to every event contract, including those that constitute gambling under State law.” Kalshi currently offers several markets tied to Utah, including election outcomes, pro soccer and Utah Jazz games and which in-state college football teams would make the postseason playoff. Those, Utah argued, are exactly the kinds of sports props that violate its constitution. Kalshi has also preemptively sued other states to fend off anti-gambling enforcement. On Monday, [Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour said](https://www.businessinsider.com/kalshi-ceo-lawsuits-disrupter-new-york-uber-airbnb-disruption-2026-8?ref=utahpolitics.news) the numerous legal battles involving his company are just growing pains any disruptive startup has to go through. “I think the more interesting thing that's at play here is that you have an industry, the prediction market industry, that is disruptive, that is growing fast, consumers are adopting it, and it's threatening a legacy incumbent industry that is unhappy about that," Mansour said during an interview with CNBC. "That has played out over and over. It's played out with taxis and Uber. It's played out with hotels and Airbnb.” Utah lawmakers, meanwhile, moved this year to [crack down on prop bets](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-bill-moves-to-nuke-daily-fantasy-sports-apps-operating-in-legal-gray-area/) and daily fantasy “pick ’ems” used by companies like DraftKings and FanDuel to skirt the state’s gambling ban. [HB 243](https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0243.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) added prop bets to the legal definition of gambling. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Why Utah has swung further left than almost any state since 2004 URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/why-is-utah-turning-blue-data-explained/ Last updated: 2026-07-31T20:31:42.000Z Utah is one of the reddest states in the country. It's also, according to an analysis from BYU sociology professor Dr. Jacob Rugh, one of the states that has swung hardest toward Democrats over the past two decades—further than Colorado, Virginia or Maryland. On the latest episode of Special Session, host Bryan Schott sits down with Rugh to go through the numbers and whether this is really a durable shift or just a product of Utahns' well-documented discomfort with Donald Trump. Rugh argues Utah has moved 24 points toward Democrats since 2004\. He says there are two different things happening at once: Trump's underperformance with Utah voters and a slower-moving realignment as fewer Utahns self-identify as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which has dropped from 67% to 50% statewide since 2000. Rugh also discusses: - Why Celeste Maloy beat Phil Lyman by a wide margin, even in a brand new district where most voters had never seen her name on the ballot. - How the Stratos data center controversy helped end Senate President Stuart Adams' political career. - Why Prop. 4 polls at 64% statewide, including 55% among Republicans. - Utah voter registration data shows Republicans lost approximately 4,700 voters this year, while Democrats gained almost 9,700. Listen to the full conversation [at this link](https://specialsession.podbean.com/e/utahs-blue-swing-is-the-beehive-state-really-turning-purple/?ref=utahpolitics.news), or wherever you get your podcasts. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### 'Under no circumstance': Sen. John Curtis says he won't vote to kill the filibuster URL: https://utahpolitics.news/john-curtis-filibuster-save-america-act/ Last updated: 2026-07-30T21:33:25.000Z President Donald Trump wants Senate Republicans to kill the filibuster so they can jam through Sen. Mike Lee’s SAVE America Act, a budget, and the rest of his priorities. Utah Sen. John Curtis says he won’t do that. “Under no circumstance will I support any effort to end or alter the filibuster,” Curtis wrote Thursday [in a Wall Street Journal op-ed](https://apple.news/AHTVPTgxOTjG6FeTOQWU39w?ref=utahpolitics.news). In the Senate, ending debate on most bills takes 60 votes. If supporters can’t get there, the bill stalls. “It protects independence, not just party position,” Curtis wrote. “If the threshold moves to 50 votes from 60, that balance changes. The Senate begins to function more like the House. Individual members lose their ability to stop a bill. Leadership gains the ability to move legislation with a simple majority.” [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/07/Schott-subscribers-cover.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/groups/1553632499770757) ****Beehive State Politics Facebook group** If you're looking for substantive discussion about Utah political news instead of the usual social media free-for-all, this is the group for you. [JOIN GROUP ](https://www.facebook.com/groups/1553632499770757) Curtis points to his time in the House, where he says leadership ran everything and debate was limited. “In seven years in the House, I didn’t have a single meaningful opportunity to influence major legislation. In the Senate, and as a freshman, I found myself in the thick of every major piece of legislation,” Curtis said. He warns that if the filibuster goes away, the Senate “would become unrecognizable,” run by simple majorities. Legislation passed by one majority could quickly be undone by the next. “Any party that does so wouldn’t be guaranteed survival. Their agenda would be guaranteed death come the next majority,” Curtis said. Trump has repeatedly urged Republicans to scrap the filibuster, most recently to pass Sen. Mike Lee’s SAVE America Act. The bill would require voters to show proof of citizenship for federal elections and would curb mail voting. Voting-rights groups say the measure amounts to voter suppression and could disenfranchise large numbers of eligible voters. The bill doesn’t have support from a majority of Republicans, let alone the 60 votes needed to beat a filibuster. ### Is Utah sliding toward socialism? URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/is-utah-sliding-toward-socialism/ Last updated: 2026-07-29T19:56:10.000Z In the latest episode of "Special Session": **Mike Lee picks another fight with Senate Republicans over the SAVE America Act.** Lee is threatening to blow up the Senate's August recess. Texas Sen. [John Cornyn tore into Lee](https://www.mediaite.com/politics/senate-republican-accuses-gop-colleague-of-self-aggrandizement-in-fiery-feud/?ref=utahpolitics.news) during a closed-door meeting, calling his effort "nothing more than self-aggrandizement." **Adams lost. The money didn't stop.** Despite losing his primary election, Sen. Stuart Adams [pulled in nearly $120,000](https://utahpolitics.news/adams-120k-after-primary-loss/) in campaign donations after he was defeated. Most of the money came from developers. **Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson drops a devastating subtweet.** She [resurfaced a five-year-old quote](https://www.threads.com/@deidrehenderson/post/DbUfGptFMXJ?ref=utahpolitics.news) from Lee arguing against the exact kind of federal election control he's now pushing for. **Utah Rep. Burgess Owens is worried about a "socialist" takeover of Utah.** [Owens says](https://x.com/BurgessOwens/status/2081798320972861799?ref=utahpolitics.news) the state is heading down the path toward socialism after conservative incumbents lost in the primary elections. It's the same socialism panic Utah Republicans have leaned on for years, and Owens still hasn't said what, specifically, he thinks is turning socialist here. All of it, plus more, on this week's episode. [Listen at this link](https://specialsession.podbean.com/e/is-utah-sliding-toward-socialism/?ref=utahpolitics.news), or wherever you get your podcasts. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Stuart Adams hauled in $120K in campaign donations after his election loss URL: https://utahpolitics.news/adams-120k-after-primary-loss/ Last updated: 2026-07-27T22:19:02.000Z Utah Senate President Stuart Adams lost his primary election in June, but the donations didn’t dry up. His campaign hauled in nearly $120,000 in the month after his defeat. From July 1–21, Adams’ campaign reported $117,600 in donations, according to the state’s financial disclosure site, with several large checks from real estate and development interests. They include: - $25,000 from Building Construction Partners LLC on July 1, a Lehi-based firm that owns [Flagship Homes](https://www.forsail.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news). - $25,000 from John Miller, founder and chairman of [Dakota Pacific Real Estate](https://dakotapacific.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news), on July 21. - $25,000 from [David Layton](https://stobuildinggroup.com/leadership-bios/david-s-layton/?ref=utahpolitics.news), president and CEO of Layton Construction, on July 21. - $2,500 from Florida-based [GridLiance West](https://www.gridliance.com/projects?ref=utahpolitics.news) on July 21\. The company is pushing the [High West Transmission Project](https://stakeholdercenter.caiso.com/Common/DownloadFile/4f62ffb1-69ca-40a8-b30b-0436d1e79b7d?ref=utahpolitics.news), which aims to build a massive high-voltage power line connecting power generators in Utah and Nevada directly to the power grid in California, allowing them to sell excess electricity. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/07/Schott-subscribers-cover.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/groups/1553632499770757) ****Beehive State Politics Facebook group** If you're looking for substantive discussion about Utah political news instead of the usual social media free-for-all, this is the group for you. [JOIN GROUP ](https://www.facebook.com/groups/1553632499770757) Two big checks on July 21 came from people and companies tied to the Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA), which he chairs. - Gershon Barnett gave $25,000\. He runs Extell Development, the lead private company in MIDA’s Military Recreation Facility area that includes the Deer Valley Resort expansion. Barnett was among [MIDA‑linked donors](https://utahpolitics.news/stuart-adams-pac-mida-donors-data-center-approval/) who poured $135,000 into Adams’ leadership PAC a week after MIDA approved a controversial 40,000‑acre data center project in Box Elder County. - Dallas-based Dart Industries gave $10,000\. The company [bought 13 acres of prime real estate](https://www.midaut.org/meeting-summaries/november-17-2025-mida-board-meeting-highlights?ref=utahpolitics.news) inside the Deer Valley MIDA project from Extell last October, and plans to build an [Evermore Resort ](https://dartinterests.com/our-work/new-orlando-resort/?ref=utahpolitics.news)on the property. Beyond the post-election cash, Adams moved another $55,000 from his leadership PAC into his campaign. He’d already transferred $45,000 in January. He also received $25,000 from the Utah Republican Senate Campaign Committee (URSCC), another PAC he controls. That PAC also gave $15,000 to his campaign in January. In addition to the cash transfers, his leadership PAC also made more than $65,000 in in-kind donations to his campaign before the election, which paid for campaign advertising. Why the six-figure fundraising effort after losing? It’s possible that Adams may be paying off campaign-related expenses. According to his most recent financial disclosure, Adams reported just over $119,000 in cash on hand a week before the election. Adams did not immediately respond to questions from Utah Political Watch. Any outstanding primary expenses won’t be public until the current reporting period closes on Sept. 25. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Stop trying to make Spencer Cox happen URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/stop-trying-to-make-spencer-cox-happen/ Last updated: 2026-07-23T18:02:14.000Z In the latest episode of the "Special Session" podcast, we [break down new federal filings](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-1st-district-democratic-primary-6-1-million/) showing that candidates and outside groups blew through $6.1 million on the Democratic primary in Utah's brand-new 1st Congressional District. Former congressman Ben McAdams won the primary election with almost 52% of the vote. He raised and spent more money than his seven other Democratic rivals combined, and he was the only candidate who got help from outside groups. Also on the show: - A new dark money PAC dropped $300,000 attacking Rep. Celeste Maloy in the 3rd Congressional District Republican primary. That group had just one donor, which appears to be connected to the family of Phil Lyman, her primary opponent. It's the same outfit that pumped $550,000 into Lyman's failed 2024 run for governor. - We dig through the [Davis County Republican Party's finance mess](https://utahpolitics.news/davis-county-gop-missing-donations-unreported-expenses/) and discuss why Utah's penalties for breaking campaign finance law do nothing to deter anyone from doing it again. - An update on the First Amendment lawsuit against the Utah Legislature over press credentials, including a very odd line in the legislature's latest court filing. - The New York Times' 2028 presidential contender list once again mentions Utah Gov. Spencer Cox. - Sen. Mike Lee's bizarre new argument in favor of the SAVE America Act. - Early jockeying for position ahead of the 2027 Salt Lake City mayor's race. Listen and subscribe to the podcast [at this link](https://specialsession.podbean.com/e/stop-trying-to-make-spencer-cox-happen/?ref=utahpolitics.news). [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### $21,000 in missing donations and zero reported expenses: Davis County GOP's financial disclosures don't add up URL: https://utahpolitics.news/davis-county-gop-missing-donations-unreported-expenses/ Last updated: 2026-07-21T17:44:27.000Z The [Davis County Republican Party](https://davisgop.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news) (DCRP) is holding a special election to replace retiring County Surveyor Max Elliot, who is leaving after eight terms in office. To get on the ballot for the party delegates’ vote, [candidates have to pay the party a $400 “filing fee,”](https://utahpolitics.news/davis-county-gop-400-filing-fee-surveyor/) which party leaders say helps to cover the cost of renting a facility for the vote. At first glance, the party doesn’t seem to need the money. Its most recent financial disclosure shows nearly $90,000 on hand in the bank. But that balance doesn’t match the paper trail. The disclosure shows zero financial activity of any kind after March 17\. And it shows no expenses for major party events that happened after that date. The party also failed to submit a required pre-primary financial disclosure on June 16. A Utah Political Watch review of campaign finance filings found close to $21,000 in donations and payments to the party that never showed up on the pre-convention report at all. ## The Missing Money Utah Political Watch cross-referenced the [Davis County GOP’s disclosure](https://disclosures.utah.gov/Search/PublicSearch/FolderDetails/961?ref=utahpolitics.news) against reports filed by candidates and political action committees. In February, outgoing Senate President Stuart Adams’s leadership PAC gave the party $5,000\. House Speaker Mike Schultz’s leadership PAC kicked in another $3,000\. Neither donation appears anywhere on the party’s books. The party did report a $2,000 donation from Rep. Blake Moore’s campaign in January but missed a second, $1,000 donation from Moore in March, which shows up on his Federal Election Commission filings. Most of the rest of the unreported money is smaller-dollar stuff, $130 to $700, tied to ticket and booth sales for the party’s Lincoln Day Dinner in February and its county convention at Syracuse High School in April. ## The Party Responds—Sort Of After questions from Utah Political Watch, Party Chair Don Guymon said in an email that the missing report had been submitted to the state. As of Tuesday, it still wasn’t posted online. Guymon did not respond to questions asking him to explain the missing transactions or why the party missed the June 16 deadline in the first place. He also ignored a request for the party’s FY2026 budget and for the quarterly financial reports the treasurer is required to give the party’s executive committee under its own rules. In response, Guymon offered a six-word statement: “The county party follows its bylaws.” [Those bylaws](https://davisgop.org/dcrp-platform-2-2/?ref=utahpolitics.news) state the treasurer is supposed to “submit statements and reports required by State law,” which is exactly what didn’t happen with the June pre-primary report. ## Missing expenses If the DCRP’s revenue reporting is incomplete, the expense reporting is almost non-existent. The only disbursements on the books are three monthly $80.44 payments to Mailchimp. No expenses for the Lincoln Day Dinner fundraiser in February. No March neighborhood caucus meetings. No April county convention. Those events, according to the party’s previous reports, are not cheap. Last year’s disclosure shows two payments to the Davis Conference Center for the Lincoln Day fundraiser: $7,861.52 in March and $6,195.80 in May, the latter marked as a deposit toward this year's event. That’s the pattern in the party’s older filings. This year, none of it shows up. This year's Lincoln Day headliner was [historian Larry Schweikart](https://www.wildworldofhistory.com/about?ref=utahpolitics.news). Whether the party paid him a speaking fee, covered his flight, or put him up in a hotel is anyone's guess, because none of it is disclosed. For comparison, when the party flew in Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton as its 2024 keynote speaker, it reported $1,950 for his airfare and $291 for his lodging. Costs for materials or renting Syracuse High School for the county convention in April aren’t disclosed either. The Davis School District’s own rate sheet lists the cost for renting the auditorium at up to $300 an hour with the commons and cafeteria running $75 to $150 an hour. In 2024, when the convention was held at Clearfield High School, the party reported paying the school district $4,661, with most of those costs coming around convention time, plus more than $2,000 in related expenses. This year, there’s nothing on record. Same story with the neighborhood caucus meetings. In 2024, the party spent just over $5,500 on materials and another $2,500 renting space for them. This year, according to the filing, they apparently held the caucuses for free. There’s also nearly $20,000 that should be accounted for in the overdue pre-primary report—donations to six candidates who won at least 60% of the vote at convention but got dragged into a primary by signature-gathering candidates. The missing transactions include $4,825 checks to four county-level candidates and $1,420 to legislative candidates. Four of the six went on to win their primaries. Ryan Cowley, Utah’s director of elections, said the state is aware the Davis County GOP failed to submit the pre-primary report and will issue the standard $100 fine—not much of a deterrent for a party sitting on tens of thousands of undisclosed dollars. ## Enforcement with no teeth The larger problem is nobody seems to be actually checking. Utah’s campaign finance system has no built-in way to reconcile one filer’s disclosure against another’s, so a PAC can report writing a $5,000 check, and the recipient can simply not report receiving it, and nothing flags the mismatch. Cowley called it a technical issue with the state’s disclosure website. “We are working toward funding for a new system, which would resolve this and many other commonly encountered issues,” he said. Until that happens, Utah’s campaign finance reporting will keep running on what Chase Thomas, senior policy adviser for Alliance for a Better Utah, calls the “Wild, Wild West.” “Up to a certain extent, we have to be trusting these reporting entities that they are going to be reporting them according to the law, whether that’s filing on time or filing truthfully and honestly in everything that they’re reporting,” Thomas said. The trouble, he added, is that there’s little cost for not following the rules. Thomas pointed to outgoing Senate President Stuart Adams’ recent history. Adams [improperly reported hundreds of thousands of dollars of campaign spending](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-election-officials-give-top-gop-lawmaker-a-pass-over-campaign-disclosure-violations/), and state election officials let it slide rather than sanction him. “The rules have to be consistently applied, and they also have to be enough of a deterrent so that people actually follow the law,” Thomas said. “If you’re going to be involved in politics, you have to know what the laws are.” [State law](https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title20A/Chapter11/C20A-11-P5%5F1800010118000101.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news) gives the Davis County GOP seven days to file its missing report once the lieutenant governor’s office notifies the party of the problem. If a formal complaint is filed over the missing transactions on the pre-convention report, the party gets another seven days to correct that error. If they miss either window, they face a $1,000 fine and a referral to the attorney general’s office. “I would hope that, whoever’s enforcing this, whether it’s the lieutenant governor’s office, the AG’s office, would do a thorough investigation, and then, based on that, follow the law,” Thomas said. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ## ### The Davis County GOP wants $400 just to apply for a job most Republicans aren't even qualified to hold URL: https://utahpolitics.news/davis-county-gop-400-filing-fee-surveyor/ Last updated: 2026-07-20T19:43:53.000Z It’ll cost $400 just to ask Davis County Republicans for a job most people can’t even apply for. With eight-term County Surveyor Max Elliot retiring in September, the Davis County GOP [is charging would-be replacements](https://mailchi.mp/284b46e4cb73/davis-county-surveyor-filing?ref=utahpolitics.news) a $400 “filing fee” to appear on the ballot for a delegates-only special election ballot. Party Chair Don Guymon says the filing fee will help defray costs for holding the special election. “For this special election, we decided to simplify the process by charging one $400 fee, which includes the candidate’s convention table,” Guymon said, adding it is likely less than a candidate would pay to file in a regular election plus buy booth space at the special election. At the party’s 2026 convention at Syracuse High School, candidates paid $400 for a booth or table, with discounts for larger spaces. Not every candidate bought one. Charging candidates to get on a party ballot appears to be unique, at least compared with Utah and Salt Lake counties. Utah County GOP Chair Cristy Henshaw said they do not charge candidates to participate. “Our position is the party should provide the easiest, most accessible path for our members who, on good ideas, sound principles, hard work, and virtues can become viable candidates,” Henshaw said in an email. “We know that money plays a role in politics, and we seek to remove that obstacle wherever we can so that all of our members have equal access.” Henshaw said the party previously charged a small fee for candidates seeking the party’s endorsement in municipal races to help cover venue costs, but candidates could have it waived with no questions asked. The Salt Lake County Republican Party also does not charge a filing fee to candidates. The fee is an extra hurdle for a job most Republicans couldn’t take even if they wanted to. Candidates must be a [registered Professional Land Surveyor](https://www.uvu.edu/aed/surveying/docs/utah%5Fpls%5Frequirements.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news) (PLS) in Utah, with a degree in land surveying or geomatics (associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate). They also must have two to six years of experience as a land surveyor, complete additional coursework, and pass a licensing exam. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### The Democratic primary in Utah's brand-new 1st Congressional District cost $6.1 million URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-1st-district-democratic-primary-6-1-million/ Last updated: 2026-07-16T21:13:19.000Z Democratic candidates and outside groups spent more than $6.1 million fighting over a congressional seat that didn't exist a year ago, and former Congressman Ben McAdams outspent all seven of his rivals combined to win it. The new Democratic-leaning district, centered on Salt Lake County, was created after a judge threw out the old congressional map, which had been gerrymandered to create four rock-solid Republican seats. The new 1st District gives Democrats a solid advantage heading into the November election. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the district as D+13\. Under the new boundaries, Kamala Harris would have carried the district by 23 points in 2024, and Joe Biden would have won the district over Republican Donald Trump by nearly 25 points. However, the partisan lean of the district is not reflected in voter registration. According to voter data provided by L2 Political, Democrats are the third largest party in the district at 25%. Unaffiliated voters make up the largest bloc with 34.6% of registrations, while Republicans are close behind at 33.6%. According to the newest financial disclosures with the Federal Election Commission, the eight Democrats who initially entered the race raised more than $3.75 million while spending $3.4 million between November and the June primary election. McAdams, who won the four-way primary election with 51.9%, raised and spent more than the rest of the Democratic field combined, reporting nearly $2.3 million in donations and $1.97 million in expenditures since he officially entered the race last November. Independent outside organizations poured nearly $2.7 million into the race for advertisements, mailers and text messages supporting McAdams’s campaign. No other candidate in the race received outside support. State Sen. Nate Blouin, who finished second in the primary election with 27.5%, raised over $688,000 for his campaign while spending over $656,000. The third-place finisher, political newcomer Liban Mohammed, reported raising just over $352,000 while his campaign spent $273,000 on the race. Attorney Michael Farrell, who finished fourth, reported raising $313,000, but most of that, $200,000, was from money he loaned his own campaign. Farrell spent $274,000 on his campaign. Two of the four other Democratic candidates, state Sen. Kathleen Riebe and former state Sen. Derek Kitchen, dropped out of the race before the Democratic state convention. The other two, former Salt Lake City Council Member Eva Lopez Chavez and Luis Villarreal, were eliminated from the race at the Democratic State Convention in April. Because of the Democratic lean of the district, McAdams will be favored over Republican nominee Riley Owen in November’s election and starts the race with a massive 31-to-1 cash advantage. McAdams reported having just under $300,000 on hand at the end of June, while Owen has just $9,568 in his campaign coffers. ### 2nd Congressional District Three-term incumbent Rep. Blake Moore cruised past state Rep. Karianne Lisonbee in the GOP primary by more than 13 points. Lisonbee was massively outgunned financially. From the day she officially entered the race on March 10, Moore raised three times as much cash as Lisonbee ($545,000 to $176,000) and spent nearly five times as much ($776,000 to $161,073). Outside groups dropped more than $1 million into the race, with most of it either supporting or attacking Moore. The Defending Conservative Values PAC, which was funded mostly by the Club for Growth’s political arm, [spent more than $487,000 on ads attacking Moore](https://utahpolitics.news/dark-money-blake-moore-primary-club-for-growth/). That was countered by more than $530,000 in pro-Moore spending, mostly from the Defend American Jobs super PAC, which spent nearly $400,000 on ads backing Moore. A local group, Defending Utah Values, which is led by Owen Fuller, a longtime political ally of Gov. Spencer Cox, spent nearly $50,000 on digital ads opposing Lisonbee and approximately $20,000 on digital ads supporting Moore. Moore’s main competition in the November election is Democrat Peter Crosby, where he’ll be heavily favored to win a fourth term in Congress. The Cook Political Report rates Utah’s 2nd District as R+15\. He reported having more than $1.8 million in cash on hand, while Crosby has just over $23,000. ### 3rd Congressional District Former state Rep. Phil Lyman didn’t put up much of a fight against incumbent Celeste Maloy. After the two candidates essentially tied among delegates at the State GOP Convention in April, Maloy whipped Lyman in the June primary by more than 30 points. Maloy overwhelmed Lyman financially, outspending him by nearly 15-to-1 ($647,736 to $43,485) from the time he declared his candidacy in March. Lyman couldn’t find much financial support for his campaign, either. Just 16 people made large enough donations to his campaign to trigger disclosure requirements under Federal Election Commission rules. He raised $43,485 over that span, compared to $647,736 for Maloy. Outside groups pumped more than $1.6 million into the race. The Defending Our Values super PAC, which is controlled by former Rep. Chris Stewart, [spent nearly $1 million on ads](https://utahpolitics.news/stewart-pac-maloy-cd3-utah-primary/) supporting Maloy. Maloy was a lawyer in Stewart’s congressional office before she won the special election to replace him when he resigned from Congress in 2023. The Keeping America Strong PAC spent $300,000 on ads attacking Maloy. The PAC is solely funded by a Lehi-based firm named Government Leadership Solutions. That same company donated $550,000 to Lyman’s 2024 gubernatorial campaign. Government Leadership Solutions [appears to be related to Lyman’s family](https://web.archive.org/web/20240430172135/https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2024/04/24/new-dark-money-group-spent-big/). Business records show the company shares an address with the Lyman Family Farm. The sole listed officer for Government Leadership Solutions, Chris Webb, is also the vice president of Lyman Family Farm. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Utah lieutenant governor asks judge to toss Trump DOJ suit for voter data, citing 0–16 record URL: https://utahpolitics.news/henderson-doj-voter-data-lawsuit-dismiss/ Last updated: 2026-07-15T22:40:55.000Z Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson wants a federal judge to toss the Trump administration’s lawsuit demanding the state’s unredacted voter rolls, arguing the Justice Department’s legal theory is 0-for-16 in courts nationwide. In a filing Tuesday, Henderson said courts across the country have rejected the Justice Department’s interpretation of the law 16 times and upheld it exactly zero. She also flagged six rulings in the past three weeks dismissing parallel Justice Department suits against other states, including Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, New York, West Virginia, Virginia and New Mexico. [The Justice Department sued Henderson](https://utahpolitics.news/trump-doj-sues-utah-to-seize-voter-data/) in February, demanding Utah turn over its full, unredacted voter registration list, including personal information not released to the public and voter records marked “withheld,” a status often used to protect domestic violence survivors and others at risk. The DOJ claims a provision of the Civil Rights Act of 1960 requires election officials to preserve certain records and make them available to federal authorities, which they argue includes complete voter rolls. The suit is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to access voter data from states under the banner of “election integrity.” Henderson has offered the public version of the database instead, citing voter privacy issues. Her office argues voter rolls aren’t the kind of “records” the 1960 law covers and that the department hasn’t identified any specific problem that would justify releasing the data. On social media, [Henderson has been keeping score](https://www.threads.com/@deidrehenderson/post/DayR03PFKrn?xmt=AQG0FJc7xPT7qyDukP8kHpicpjKtghk4HpVVHH6WMabEyA&ref=utahpolitics.news) of the department’s losing streak, including a Virginia ruling this week tossing another case. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/07/Screenshot-2026-07-15-at-16.40.35.png) “After 14 straight losses and zero wins, it’s time for the DOJ to voluntarily dismiss the rest of their frivolous lawsuits against states,” Henderson wrote. Henderson has asked the court to dismiss the case outright. ### The monumental fight over public lands in Utah URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/the-monumental-fight-over-public-lands-in-utah/ Last updated: 2026-07-15T21:36:27.000Z Utah's national monuments are shrinking...again. This week, President Trump signed an executive order drastically reducing the size of both the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monuments. It's the latest swing in a fight that's been going back and forth since President Clinton first designated Grand Staircase in 1996 using the Antiquities Act. President Obama created Bears Ears in 2016\. Trump shrank both dramatically in 2017\. Biden restored and even expanded them in 2021\. Now Trump has shrunk them again. Grand Staircase, once protected at roughly 1.87 million acres, is back down to around 181,000\. Bears Ears has been split back into two smaller monuments totaling roughly 121,000 acres. In this episode of Special Session, we walk through what actually changes on the ground, what's happening to tribal involvement in managing Bears Ears and where the legal battle stands. From there, we get into what's expected Thursday night when President Trump addresses the nation. Reports suggest he'll relitigate the 2020 election and possibly try to declare Georgia's two Democratic senators illegitimate, which carries zero constitutional weight. We also cover the Legislature's abrupt about-face on their plan to ask voters for the power to repeal citizen ballot initiatives, coming right after Senate President Stuart Adams lost his primary; how Lindsey Graham's sudden death complicates Sen. Mike Lee's efforts to pass the SAVE Act; the ongoing Attorney General investigation into Rep. Trevor Lee; Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson's public pushback against the DOJ's demands for Utah's unredacted voter rolls; and new reporting on which members of Congress had their text messages subpoenaed during the January 6 investigation. Listen and subscribe to the episode [at this link](https://specialsession.podbean.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) or wherever you get your podcasts. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Rep. John Arthur on Utah's voucher mess URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/utah-voucher-audit-rep-john-arthur/ Last updated: 2026-07-13T20:43:08.000Z [A new state audit](https://reporting.auditor.utah.gov/servlet/servlet.FileDownload?file=015WQ00000II1RVYA1&ref=utahpolitics.news) of Utah's school voucher program uncovered "wasteful and extravagant" spending on things like high-end electronics, home gym equipment, trampolines and recreational gear. The record-keeping was such a mess that the state auditor's office had to build its own AI model just to sort through the transactions—and even then, they could only confidently trace about one in five dollars spent. To break down what this audit means and where things go from here, I spoke with Rep. John Arthur (D-Salt Lake City) who also teaches in a public school classroom. Arthur didn't hold back. As someone who's had to crowdfund basic classroom supplies for his own students, he sees a stark contrast between what public school teachers can get approved for their classrooms and what voucher recipients can buy with little oversight. Could a classroom teacher ever get discretionary funds approved for anything close to those items? His answer: absolutely not. We also dug into the legal fight hanging over the program. A district court judge already ruled the voucher law unconstitutional, finding it violates a state constitutional provision that earmarks income tax revenue for public education. That case is now pending before the Utah Supreme Court, which the GOP-controlled Legislature recently expanded and restructured, raising its own set of questions about how that appeal might play out. Arthur believes the $120 million currently funding the voucher program should go back into public education, and he points to his own experience trying to get a $2 million bill funded to put certified teacher librarians in every school district as an example of how lawmakers treat public school priorities differently than private ones. Subscribe to the podcast [at this link](https://specialsession.podbean.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) or wherever you listen. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Utah lawmakers hired a D.C. law firm to defend their repeal of Prop. 4. The tab: $1.86 million. URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-redistricting-legal-fees-prop-4/ Last updated: 2026-07-09T21:11:05.000Z The legal fight over Prop. 4 has cost Utah taxpayers nearly $2 million and counting for a case the Legislature has lost at nearly every turn. On Wednesday, Republican leaders at the Utah Capitol said [they were shelving plans](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/07/08/utah-lawmakers-now-wont-pursue-constitutional-amendment-to-change-ballot-initiative-power/?ref=utahpolitics.news) to push forward with a proposed amendment to Utah's Constitution that would let lawmakers override voter-approved ballot initiatives. Instead, they said they were content to let the yearslong legal battle over Prop. 4 play out. The tab for Utah taxpayers has topped about $1.86 million. That tally covers legal work and expenses since the suit was filed in 2022. Prop. 4 created an independent redistricting commission to draw the state’s political maps during the once-a-decade redistricting process and banned partisan gerrymandering. In 2020, the Republican-controlled Legislature repealed Prop. 4 and replaced it with SB200, reducing the commission to a purely advisory role and eliminating the ban on partisan gerrymandering. In 2022, a coalition of voters and good-government groups, including the League of Women Voters of Utah and Mormon Women for Ethical Government, sued, arguing that the repeal of Prop. 4 violated several provisions in the Utah Constitution. Instead of using the Utah Attorney General’s Office or their own in-house lawyers with the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, lawmakers hired Consovoy McCarthy, a boutique law firm based in Washington, D.C. Tyler Green, a partner who was Utah’s solicitor general from 2015 to 2020, is the lead attorney for the legislative defendants. Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson, the other named defendant, is represented by the Utah Attorney General’s office. According to invoices obtained via an open records request, the Legislature paid Consovoy McCarthy just over $1.859 million for Prop. 4 litigation between January 2023 and April 2026. Attorneys for the firm are charging lawmakers anywhere between $595 and $700 per hour. Spending first spiked in November 2024—$77,541—[after Amendment D was bounced](https://utahpolitics.news/amendment%5Fd%5Fnied/) from the ballot for failing to meet constitutional publishing requirements. Multiple attorneys logged heavy hours preparing for a January 31, 2025, hearing. The firm billed the Legislature another $31,692 in December 2024 and $53,824 in January 2025. As the parties waited for Judge Gibson to issue her decision in the case, billing cooled significantly. Consovoy billed little or nothing most months—$3,637 total for February, June and July and nothing in March and May. The exception was in April when the judge requested supplemental briefs, which produced a $40,243 invoice. On August 25, Third District Judge Dianne Gibson [issued a sweeping judgment](https://utahpolitics.news/judge-tosses-utahs-congressional-maps-orders-new-maps-in-30-days/), finding the Legislature stepped beyond its constitutional authority when it repealed Prop. 4 and replaced it with SB200\. The ruling also struck down the 2021 congressional map. Legal costs exploded. The firm added three attorneys to the team at $595 an hour. August’s invoice hit $111,396 for 153 hours. The single largest bill landed in October 2025, totaling $587,112\. That included $353,199 for 577.8 hours of legal work and $234,923 in expenses tied to a late-October hearing over the Legislature’s remedial map and the plaintiffs’ alternatives. For that hearing, the firm brought in three experts: Caltech statistician Jonathan Katz, BYU political scientist Michael Barber and political analyst Sean Trende, who [drew the five map proposals](https://utahpolitics.news/analysis-proposed-utah-congressional-maps-could-crack-gop-stranglehold/) put forward by the Legislature after Gibson’s ruling. Barber billed $68,625 plus $1,046 in expenses; Katz invoiced $14,038\. No itemized breakdown was provided. Trende was hired the day after Gibson’s ruling invalidating the 2021 map. Between Aug. 26 and Oct. 27, he logged 264.75 hours at $500 an hour for a total of $132,375\. He was also reimbursed $2,686 for expenses, including $2,518.88 for a four-night stay at the Grand America Hotel during the map hearings. In January 2026, the Legislature also paid Trende $3,750 directly. On Nov. 10, Gibson rejected lawmakers’ replacement map for not following Prop. 4’s guidelines and [adopted a map proposed by the plaintiffs](https://utahpolitics.news/who-wants-a-donut-judge-throws-out-legislatures-map-proposal/), which created a Democratic-leaning district in Salt Lake County. Lawmakers tried several tactics to pause or appeal the ruling, including a December special session to push back congressional filing deadlines to buy more time. On Feb. 20, 2026, the Utah Supreme Court dismissed the Legislature’s appeal. Post-ruling legal costs and expenses totaled $385,350. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Mike Lee thinks you're stupid URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/mike-lee-thinks-youre-stupid-podcast/ Last updated: 2026-07-08T22:05:41.000Z Every time the white nationalist group Patriot Front laces up its khakis and marches through another city, Sen. Mike Lee shows up online with the same tired bit: they're feds, they're actually Democrats, it's all a hoax. He thinks it's clever or funny. It's neither, and on this week's episode of Special Session, we explain why he keeps doing it—because he thinks you're stupid, and he's doing it on purpose. We also dig into Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson's pushback against the Trump administration after the DOJ sent her office a letter loaded with threats of criminal prosecution. Plus, we discuss the theory that Ben McAdams winning his primary in Congressional District 1 might make lawmakers think twice about reviving the redistricting fight. It's wrong, and we'll tell you why. Listen to the full episode [wherever you get your podcasts](https://specialsession.podbean.com/e/mike-lee-thinks-youre-stupid/?ref=utahpolitics.news). [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Anti-Blake Moore ad blitz cost nearly $500K. It flopped. URL: https://utahpolitics.news/dark-money-blake-moore-primary-club-for-growth/ Last updated: 2026-07-06T21:27:14.000Z A shadowy super PAC poured nearly $500,000 into ads attacking Rep. Blake Moore in Utah’s 2nd Congressional District, bankrolled almost entirely by Club for Growth’s super PAC and a dark-money group, and still failed to take down the three-term congressman. According to Federal Election Commission filings, the [Defending Conservative Values PAC](https://dcvpac.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news) spent about $485,000 on digital and other ads against Moore in his GOP primary against state Rep. Karianne Lisonbee. Those ads attacked Moore for not living within the 2nd District, dubbing him “Salt Lake Blake.” Moore lives in Salt Lake City, which is not part of the newly drawn district, which covers northern Utah. Most of that cash came from [Club for Growth Action](https://www.clubforgrowth.org/about/club-for-growth-action/?ref=utahpolitics.news), Club for Growth’s super PAC, which kicked in $300,000\. Another $190,000 flowed from [American Advancement Inc.](https://american-advancement.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news), a dark-money 501(c)(4) nonprofit that is not required to disclose its donors. Club for Growth previously spent $2.5 million in Utah defending Sen. Mike Lee during his 2022 re-election bid. American Advancement reported more than $2.8 million to conservative outside groups [in 2024](https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/american-advancement/summary?id=D000096316&ref=utahpolitics.news) and more than $3.9 million during the [2022 cycle](https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/american-advancement/summary?toprecipcycle=2024&contribcycle=2024&lobcycle=2024&outspendcycle=2024&id=D000096316&topnumcycle=2022&ref=utahpolitics.news). Almost every dollar the Defending Conservative Values PAC spent went through a shell company, Conservative Action Group, which was incorporated earlier this year in Wyoming. That state does not require businesses to disclose information about owners. The firm lists a virtual office in Casper on its paperwork. The PAC also paid it $5,000 for consulting work. An FEC filing last month, though, listed a street address for the company in Alpine, Utah—the home of Dan Hauser, a longtime political ally of Sen. Mike Lee. Hauser claimed his home address ended up on the filing due to a clerical error, but he would not deny any involvement with the PAC or the shell company. The digital ad blitz didn’t make much of an impact with voters. Moore cruised to an easy 13-point win over Lisonbee, winning every county in the district except for Box Elder County, where Lisonbee was ahead by just 32 votes as of Monday afternoon. Looking to November, Moore is a heavy favorite to win a fourth term in the R+15 district, according to the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. He faces Democrat Peter Crosby, Libertarian Daniel Cottam and Independent American Party nominee Carlton Bowen. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### A good day for journalism, and Mike Lee really, really wants that Supreme Court robe URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/a-good-day-for-journalism-and-mike-lee-really-really-wants-that-supreme-court-robe/ Last updated: 2026-07-01T21:28:25.000Z The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals just handed Utah Political Watch a major First Amendment victory, and this week's show breaks down exactly what it means. On Tuesday, the federal appeals court in Denver revived Utah Political Watch publisher Bryan Schott's lawsuit against the Utah Legislature over its refusal to grant him a press credential. The three-judge panel unanimously ruled that Schott adequately alleged the Legislature engaged in viewpoint discrimination when it changed credentialing rules shortly after he launched Utah Political Watch as an independent outlet. The case now heads back to the U.S. District Court for Utah, where the fight over access to the Capitol continues. We also cover the wide-open race to replace outgoing Senate President Stuart Adams, Gov. Spencer Cox's statewide fireworks ban and the pushback from libertarian types. Plus, the growing speculation that Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito is preparing to retire, and why Sen. Mike Lee's name is already in the mix. Plus, billionaire Kevin O'Leary backtracking on unfounded claims that opponents of the Stratos data center are funded by the Chinese Communist Party, and Sen. Todd Weiler admits he got duped. ### 10th Circuit revives Utah Political Watch's press credential lawsuit against Legislature URL: https://utahpolitics.news/10th-circuit-revives-utah-political-watch-press-credential-lawsuit/ Last updated: 2026-06-30T17:41:03.000Z The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday revived Utah Political Watch publisher Bryan Schott’s First Amendment suit against the Utah Legislature over its press-credential policy, reversing a district court that threw the case out. A three-judge panel said Schott plausibly alleged he was denied a Capitol press credential because of his viewpoints, not any neutral rule. The court reinstated two of his five claims and sent the case back to the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah for further proceedings. Schott has covered the Legislature for about 25 years, including at UtahPolicy.com and the Salt Lake Tribune, and received credentials each year he applied through the 2024 session. He launched Utah Political Watch in September 2024 after leaving the Tribune. Two months later, in November 2024, the Legislature rewrote the credential policy to say “blogs, independent media or other freelance media do not qualify for a credential.” Schott applied in December 2024 and was denied under that language. His appeal failed. He applied again to cover the 2026 session and was denied again. He sued four legislative officials in January 2025, alleging the media credential policy violates the First and 14th Amendments. The amended complaint raised five claims: as-applied viewpoint discrimination, facial viewpoint discrimination, retaliation, prior restraint, and vagueness. The district court dismissed all five, and he appealed. The 10th Circuit said the district court erred and that Schott adequately alleged the credentialing system creates a government forum the Legislature must administer in a viewpoint-neutral way. [ 10th Circuit Court Opinion - Utah Political Watch ](https://www.scribd.com/document/1056798670/10th-Circuit-Court-Opinion-Utah-Political-Watch?ref=utahpolitics.news#from%5Fembed "View 10th Circuit Court Opinion - Utah Political Watch on Scribd") by [ Bryan Schott ](https://www.scribd.com/user/125356003/Bryan-Schott?ref=utahpolitics.news#from%5Fembed "View Bryan Schott's profile on Scribd") The panel pointed to several facts he alleged: legislative staffers calling his reporting “unprofessional” and lacking integrity; the policy’s uneven application to other independent or self-edited outlets that still got credentials; and the timing—tightening the rules right after he became an independent journalist. “We conclude that Schott’s well-pleaded factual allegations are sufficient to show the Legislature plausibly discriminated against him because of his viewpoints,” the opinion said. The panel also rejected the Legislature’s claim that the denial caused only minimal harm because he could sit in the gallery or watch livestreams of press conferences. That is not the same as having a press badge that lets you ask questions in person. “The policy itself states that credentialed media enjoy privileges, such as access to ‘some secure areas of the Capitol,’ ‘the press room,’ and to ‘media availabilities and other press events with elected officials. The public has no access to to such areas and events,” the court wrote. “The obvious problem is that Schott cannot ask legislative officials questions without attending press conferences in person.” The court sent Schott’s two viewpoint-discrimination claims back to the district court to determine whether the policy is viewpoint-based. It upheld the dismissal of his other three claims: retaliation, prior restraint and vagueness. In a separate concurring opinion, Judge Timothy Tymkovich, who also wrote the panel opinion, said the ban on “independent media” and the requirement that a journalist be part of a “reputable” news organization appear to be viewpoint-based. “Under this distinction, the policy seemingly permits the government to act as the arbiter of whether a news organization’s speech is reputable or ethical. That, however, would be something the government cannot do,” he wrote. The case now returns to the district court, where Schott’s viewpoint-discrimination claims will proceed. Lawmakers can ask the 10th Circuit for rehearing within 14 days of judgment. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Utah Republicans paid thousands to hire MAGA influencers for fundraisers. The payoff was modest. URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-gop-maga-influencer-fundraisers-lincoln-day/ Last updated: 2026-06-29T20:53:20.000Z Utah Republicans shelled out thousands of dollars to bring a pair of MAGA internet celebrities to headline their Lincoln Day fundraisers this year. Financial disclosures show the returns were decidedly mixed. The Salt Lake County Republican Party tapped Nick Shirley to headline its March Lincoln Day fundraiser at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, with tickets ranging from $150 per individual to $10,000 for a 10-person table. The Salt Lake County GOP [booked Shirley as a last-minute replacement](https://utahpolitics.news/salt-lake-gop-books-maga-influencer-nick-shirley-for-10k-a-table-fundraiser-after-kari-lake-said-no/) after Kari Lake, who lost races for Arizona Governor in 2022 and U.S. Senate in 2024, pulled out. Shirley, who is from Utah, rocketed into the public consciousness late last year after he [posted a video alleging widespread fraud](https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/minnesota-day-care-fraud-director-responds/?ref=utahpolitics.news) at Somali‑run child care centers and health companies in Minnesota. At the time, media outlets and state officials said they [found no evidence to substantiate the claims](https://www.npr.org/2025/12/31/nx-s1-5662600/nick-shirley-minnesota-daycare-fraud?ref=utahpolitics.news). In April, federal agents [raided 20 child care centers in Minneapolis and St. Paul](https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/minnesota-fraud-fbi-raids-quality-learning-center-apsen-associates/?ref=utahpolitics.news), including several he highlighted. In May, federal prosecutors [charged one center featured in his video](https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/daycare-feeding-our-future-fraud-charges-flee-country/?ref=utahpolitics.news) with one count of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States. According to the most recent financial disclosures filed with the Utah Lieutenant Governor’s office, the Salt Lake County GOP paid $7,500 to JT Wilkinson Consulting on March 13\. [The firm represents Shirley](https://www.jlwilkinsonconsulting.com/nick%5Fshirley?ref=utahpolitics.news), as well as [his mom Brooke](https://www.jlwilkinsonconsulting.com/brooke%5Fshirley?ref=utahpolitics.news), for speaking engagements. Other conservative speakers on their roster include [Dog the Bounty Hunter](https://www.jlwilkinsonconsulting.com/dog%5Fthe%5Fbounty%5Fhunter?ref=utahpolitics.news), former ICE director [Tom Homan](https://www.jlwilkinsonconsulting.com/tom%5Fhoman%5Fspeaker?ref=utahpolitics.news), and former University of Utah gymnast [MyKayla Skinner](https://www.jlwilkinsonconsulting.com/mykayla%5Fskinner?ref=utahpolitics.news). Shirley’s appearance raised $9,570 for the party. Treasurer Karl Jurek told a recent central committee meeting the event grossed $36,175, with $27,605 in costs, including Shirley’s fee. Shirley wasn’t the only MAGA media personality who headlined a Republican fundraiser this year. Right-wing YouTube personality Benny Johnson was the main attraction for the [Washington County GOP Lincoln Day event](https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GkYCsnDa1/) in February. The party paid Johnson $16,500 for his appearance plus $1,998 to cover his travel expenses. His booking agency, Premier Speakers, [lists a $35,000 fee](https://premierespeakers.com/speakers/benny-johnson?ref=utahpolitics.news). Conservative commentator and author [Kevin Jackson](https://doleinstitute.org/about/fellows/kevin-jackson-2/?ref=utahpolitics.news) also spoke at the event and was paid $5,000 for his appearance. The Washington County Lincoln Day event was more successful financially than Salt Lake County’s. [Tickets ranged](https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GtQP2gevE/) from $150 for an individual seat to $5,000 for a seat at the table with the keynote speakers, according to the event page. Donations reported on the party’s financial disclosure from the time Johnson was announced as the event’s headliner in January to the date of the fundraiser in February total nearly $71,650\. The speaking fees for Johnson and Jackson and venue costs for the fundraiser came to just over $54,000, leaving an estimated $17,650 net During the 2024 presidential campaign, two Russian state media employees were [charged by federal prosecutors](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-accuse-russia-effort-influence-2024-election-cnn-2024-09-04/?ref=utahpolitics.news) for funneling nearly $10 million to Tenet Media, which employed Johnson and other right-wing commentators, to produce political videos that benefitted Russia. Prosecutors said Johnson and other influencers who produced the videos [were duped by the scheme](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/well-known-right-wing-influencers-duped-to-work-for-covert-russian-operation-u-s-prosecutors-say?ref=utahpolitics.news). Democrats brought in big names, too. The Weber County Democratic Party hosted Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin for its Orton and McCay Dinner in March. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs keynoted the Salt Lake County Democrats’ Politisauce fundraiser. Financial disclosures list no speaking fees for Martin or Hobbs. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Ben McAdams says the Utah GOP has gotten 'fat and lazy' and is heading for a reckoning at the ballot box URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/ben-mcadams-cd1-democratic-primary-utah-first-congressional-district/ Last updated: 2026-06-25T23:07:26.000Z Ben McAdams won Tuesday's Democratic primary in Utah's 1st Congressional District with a clear majority in a multi-candidate field. The former Salt Lake County mayor and one-term congressman now turns his attention to a November matchup against Republican Riley Own in a district where Democrats are favored, but not a lock. We caught up with McAdams after his win for a wide-ranging conversation about his win and what he plans to focus on over the next five months. On the data center debate that dominated Tuesday's results, McAdams drew a sharp difference between the controversial Stratos project in Box Elder County, a backroom deal rushed through without public input, and his own work advising a clean-energy data center project in southern Utah that spent six years going through a rigorous process. The distinction held up with voters. He also weighed in on Senate President Stuart Adams' shocking primary election loss. McAdams didn't mince words, saying the Utah Republican Party has gotten "fat and lazy," relying on gerrymandering to insulate themselves from accountability, and what happened to Adams is what happens when voters finally get tired of being ignored. Whoever wins CD1, according to McAdams, will have to build a coalition that crosses party lines, and that's actually the kind of race he's built for. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Winners and Losers from Tuesday's Utah primary elections URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-primary-election-results-2026-winners-losers/ Last updated: 2026-06-24T19:35:01.000Z Utah voters had some things to say on Tuesday night, and their message wasn’t subtle. The most powerful Republican in the Utah Senate lost his seat. A conspiracy-minded county clerk appears headed for the exit. And once again, the signature-gathering path to the ballot saved candidates party delegates tried to bury. Here’s a look at who won, who lost, and who probably isn’t returning calls from the Utah GOP this morning. ### Loser: Stuart Adams The most shocking result of the night was Senate President Stuart Adams losing his primary election to Stephanie Hollist. Adams had become the face of the wildly unpopular proposed hyperscale data center in Box Elder County. The center, which he helped push through as the chair of the Military Installation Development Agency (MIDA), blew up spectacularly in his face. His attempts to contain the fallout weren’t enough. In every previous election, Adams secured the nomination at the convention, and then cruised to an easy victory in November. This was his very first primary election where he had to make his case to Republican primary voters, and they overwhelmingly rejected him. The “not Stuart Adams” vote outnumbered his vote total by nearly 2-to-1. Adams is the first sitting Utah Senate President to lose his re-election bid since Republican Steve Poulton was upset by Democrat Patrice Arent in 2002. It wasn’t just Stuart Adams that was dragged down to defeat by the toxic Box Elder data center. Two of the Republican Box Elder County Commissioners who voted in favor of the project, Lee Perry and Kevin Potter, were trailing as of Tuesday night. ### Winner: Utah State Auditor Tina Cannon One person likely not shedding any tears over Stuart Adams’ ouster is State Auditor Tina Cannon. For the past two years, Adams has [tried to evict her from her offices](https://utahpolitics.news/utahs-first-female-state-auditor-booted-from-capitol-in-legislative-land-grab/) in the main capitol building to make way for more office space to house Republican senators. Late in the 2025 session, the GOP majority introduced a bill that would have moved Cannon’s office out of the Capitol building. That bill failed to advance. A few months later, the Capitol Preservation Board, which oversees the building, voted to move Cannon’s offices to the first floor of the Capitol. The board includes Adams, House Speaker Mike Schultz and other lawmakers. Cannon sued, claiming the board did not follow its own rules, but later dropped the suit after the board held a second meeting where they took the same action. Even though she still has to move, Cannon can take a measure of satisfaction knowing Adams won’t be in charge when those swanky new offices for Senate Republicans are built. ### Loser: The Utah Republican Party On the eve of the election, the Utah GOP blitzed voters in SD7 with scaremongering text messages attacking Stephanie Hollist as a tool of liberal billionaire George Soros. “We have reviewed and validated that liberal groups funded by George Soros dark money have attacked Stuart Adams and supported Stephanie Hollist. The Hollist campaign has also openly used a Soros-backed group to recruit support,” the texts breathlessly claimed. “It is our duty to officially notify voters of such activity by liberal, out-of-state, dark money groups meant to undermine our party’s primary elections.” Now that Hollist has defeated Adams, it’s safe to say the relationship between her and state party officials is probably a little awkward. Earlier this month, the Adams campaign sent out a press release making similar accusations about Soros-backed groups flooding the race with mailers, and that they had filed a complaint with the lieutenant governor’s office. No outlet bit, so they recruited the state party to be their attack dog. ### Winner: Signature gathering candidates Once again, the signature path saved several candidates who would have been out of the race if the decision was solely up to party delegates. The biggest impact of the signature path to the ballot was in SD7, where Stephanie Hollist knocked off Senate President Stuart Adams. Hollist was eliminated on the first ballot at April’s state convention, but remained in the race because of signatures. State Rep. Karianne Lisonbee would likely be cruising to an easy win and a seat in Congress after handily winning the delegate vote at the GOP convention. But, as in past years, Blake Moore collected signatures and won the primary in a rout. Other Tuesday winners who would have been eliminated at the convention if not for signatures: - SD13 - Democrat Silvia Catten - HD29 - Republican Sheldon Birch - HD38 - Republican Chris McConnehey - State School Board 11 - Republican Tracy Nuttall Overall, more than a dozen congressional, legislative and state school board candidates who collected enough signatures to qualify for the ballot won their primaries on Tuesday night. ### Winner: Convention only candidates Six Republican candidates who took the convention-only path to the nomination won or were leading after Tuesday night’s results. - SD18 - Republican Doug Fiefia - SD21 - Republican Brady Brammer - HD14 - Republican John Taylor - HD44 - Republican Jordan Teuscher - HD67 - Republican JR Bird - HD69 - Republican Logan Monson ### Loser: Phil Lyman Where does Phil Lyman go from here? Incumbent Republican Celeste Maloy routed him in Tuesday’s primary election, winning every county in the newly drawn 3rd Congressional District except for his home territory of San Juan County. It wasn’t close. Maloy defeated him by nearly 35 percentage points overall. She won by at least 20 points in every county except for Grand, where her margin of victory was just under 18%. This is the fourth straight election Lyman has lost since 2024\. He was defeated in the GOP gubernatorial primary, then launched a write-in bid for governor where he finished in third place. Last year he narrowly lost the race for chair of the Utah Republican Party to Rob Axson. Lyman kept his name in the news after filing multiple unsuccessful lawsuits challenging his 2024 election losses. He’s already said he plans to run for governor again in 2028\. Tuesday night’s primary results suggest that Republican voters may be tired of seeing Lyman’s name on the ballot. ### Winner: Political normalcy Utah County Clerk Aaron Davidson, who has trafficked in conspiracy theories about election fraud and other fringe issues that bubble up from the far reaches of the right-wing fever swamp, looks to be on his way out after one term. He’s currently trailing Republican challenger Corey Astill. Some highlights from Davidson’s tenure as the head of elections in Utah County: - In 2024, he tried to force voters to cast ballots in person by refusing to pay for postage on mail-in ballots. The problem with that plan was only nine cities within the county had in-person voting centers. That led to long lines and frustration for voters. The county even ran out of ballot paper and printer toner. The state had to arrange for a plane to fly to Arizona to secure the necessary supplies. - Davidson was investigated by the Utah County Attorney for [tracking how politicians cast their ballots](https://www.deseret.com/politics/2024/10/29/utah-county-tracks-politicians-ballots/?ref=utahpolitics.news) during the 2024 election. That led to lawmakers passing legislation the next year limiting what information government officials can access - Following the 2024 election, Davidson issued an open letter that raised doubts about the legitimacy of whether Gov. Spencer Cox and Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson qualified for the ballot, and called for Henderson to be prosecuted. - Earlier this year, Davidson hired far-right streaming personality Kai Schwemmer, who has no experience running elections, as a deputy clerk in the department. Schwemmer has said he doesn’t think married women [should have the right to vote](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTPV6qcfpdk&ref=utahpolitics.news), and that [women “do not have what it takes”](https://x.com/KaiSchwemmer/status/1993782288677798010?ref=utahpolitics.news) to hold public office. Davidson said he hired Schwemmer to help with outreach to younger voters, but [did not fully investigate Schwemmer’s background](https://youtu.be/WnQbkN8tlIs?is=29tw8TcruC46VwJW&ref=utahpolitics.news) before hiring him. It wasn’t all bad, though. During the Utah GOP’s attempt to collect enough signatures to put a repeal of Prop. 4, Utah’s anti-gerrymandering law, on the November ballot, Davidson flagged dozens of fraudulent signatures submitted to his office. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### ### Poll: Three Utah GOP incumbents in trouble ahead of Tuesday's primary URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-republican-incumbents-trailing-primary-poll-2026/ Last updated: 2026-06-22T22:24:46.000Z A new poll suggests three Utah legislative incumbents are in real trouble heading into Tuesday’s Republican primary. [The surveys from State Navigate](https://statenavigate.org/ut/state-navigate-partners-with-doers-network-for-utah-polling/?ref=utahpolitics.news), released Monday morning, show Sens. Dan McCay and Brady Brammer and Rep. Jordan Teuscher trailing their challengers. The online polls sampled likely Republican primary voters, with margins of error between 5.1 and 7.4 percentage points. ### Senate District 18 Rep. Doug Fiefia nearly knocked off Sen. Dan McCay at April’s Utah Republican Party convention, where McCay survived by two votes. The new polling points to Fiefia poised to finish the job Tuesday. [The survey](https://statenavigate.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/UT%5FSD18%5FJune%5FDoersxStateNav%5FBriefing.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news) has Fiefia up 63% to 22%, with 14% undecided. Among those who have already voted, he leads 75% to 21%. ### Senate District 21 Sen. Brady Brammer won a 2024 special election to replace Mike Kennedy, now in Congress. To keep the seat, he has some climbing to do. [Challenger Kelly Smith leads](https://statenavigate.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/UT%5FSD21%5FJune%5FDoersxStateNav%5FBriefing.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news) 44% to 37%, with 20% undecided. Smith’s edge comes from moderate and anti-Trump Republicans: she takes 76% of moderates to Brammer’s 9%, and among Republicans who oppose Donald Trump, Smith leads 70% to 12%. ### House District 44 Rep. Jordan Teuscher sponsored HB267, the union-busting bill lawmakers rammed through in 2025—then hastily repealed late last year to avoid a referendum after unions gathered enough signatures for the 2026 ballot. Despite the repeal, that vote may still cost Teuscher his seat. Scott Stephenson, who leads Utah’s Fraternal Order of Police, has cited HB267 as a reason he’s challenging Teuscher for the GOP nomination. [The State Navigate poll](https://statenavigate.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/UT%5FHD44%5FJune%5FDoersxStateNav%5FBriefing.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news) has Stephenson ahead 47% to 37%, a 10-point lead, with 16% undecided. State Navigate also released polling for several other Tuesday primaries: ### Senate District 6 Kaysville Mayor Tami Tran [leads by 36 points](https://statenavigate.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/UT%5FSD6%5FJune%5FDoersxStateNav%5FBriefing.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news), 56% to 20%, over Robert Wanlass in the race to replace retiring Sen. Jerry Stephenson. ### House District 14 [Kara Toone narrowly leads John Taylor](https://statenavigate.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/UT%5FHD14%5FJune%5FDoersxStateNav%5FBriefing.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news) 43% to 37% in the race for the Republican nomination to replace GOP Rep. Karianne Lisonbee. ### House District 17 [Lili Bitner leads](https://statenavigate.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/UT%5FHD17%5FDoersxStateNav%5FBriefing.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news) Sam Barlow by 43 points, 61% to 18%. 28% are undecided. Incumbent Rep. Stewart Barlow, Sam’s father, is not seeking another term. ### House District 48 This one’s a coin flip: [About two-thirds](https://statenavigate.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/UT%5FHD48%5FDoersxStateNav%5FBriefing.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news) are still undecided. Among decided voters, 19% back businessman Jake Hunsaker and 14% support Nik Anderson. *Note: Surveys were conducted online among likely Republican primary voters. Samples varied by district; margins of error ranged from 5.1 to 7.4 points. Low-turnout primaries can break late.* [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Celeste Maloy's biggest problem isn't Phil Lyman. It's the map URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-cd3-primary-redistricting-maloy-lyman-analysis/ Last updated: 2026-06-22T18:33:16.000Z Incumbents usually waltz through congressional primaries, leaning on a massive advantage in name ID and money. But Utah’s newly redrawn 3rd Congressional District scrambles that playbook. Most Republican voters here have never seen Rep. Celeste Maloy on a ballot, and the map makes Tuesday’s primary feel a lot like an open seat. The voter file backs that up, and it should make Maloy’s campaign wary. According to voter registration figures shared with Utah Politcal Watch by [election data firm L2](https://www.l2-data.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news), just over 60% of the roughly 270,000 registered Republicans in the new 3rd District have never seen Maloy on a ballot. The new map shuffled the lines so dramatically that nearly two-thirds of the district is territory she has never represented or campaigned in, and where voters have no reason to feel any loyalty to her. In big chunks of the district, it’s functionally an open seat. ## Map math Seven counties carried over from Maloy’s previous district into the new 3rd: Washington, Iron, Kane, Beaver, Garfield, Wayne and Piute. Those are the only places where voters have had a chance to pull the lever for her before. They account for just under 40% of registered Republicans in the district. Every other county is new territory. Those new voters are dominated by a single county that accounts for more than a third of the district’s registered Republicans. The eastern half of Utah County that is part of the new 3rd has just under 100,000 registered Republicans. Washington County adds another 72,000\. Together, those two counties represent nearly two-thirds of the Republicans who could vote in this primary. Utah County is entirely new to Maloy. Washington County carried over, but recent results suggest it’s not exactly friendly territory. Phil Lyman, a former state legislator from San Juan County, ran for governor in 2024\. Even though he lost to Spencer Cox in the GOP primary, he built a statewide profile. His base of support is in southeastern Utah, and much of it now sits inside the new CD3. Looking at 2024 primary election vote totals in the carryover counties, Lyman ran ahead of Maloy in Washington County by 6,669 votes, in Iron County by 31 and in Wayne County by 6\. Maloy outpaced Lyman in Beaver by 251, Garfield by 157, Kane by 55 and Piute by 4. The net result across the seven carryover counties: Lyman leads by approximately 6,249 votes. That margin is almost entirely driven by Washington County. That's not a small problem. Washington County is the largest county in Maloy’s supposed home turf, and Lyman ran ahead of her by nearly 6,700 votes two years ago. Colby Jenkins, her 2024 Republican primary challenger, beat her in Washington County by almost the same margin. The 2023 special primary makes it worse. When Maloy first ran following Rep. Chris Stewart’s resignation, she cleared 50% in that three-way primary in five counties—Iron, Kane, Beaver, Garfield and Piute. Washington County was not on that list. The five counties where Maloy won majorities in the 2023 and 2024 primary elections have a combined 30,952 registered Republicans. Washington County alone has 71,944\. Her strongest base is outnumbered more than 2-to-1 by a single county where Lyman already ran ahead of her. ## Turnout: Who actually shows up _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Five days to Utah's primary election, and everybody's losing it URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/five-days-to-utahs-primary-election-and-everybodys-losing-it/ Last updated: 2026-06-19T20:56:00.000Z The June 23 primary is just around the corner, and this week's podcast is packed with what you need to know before you fill out that ballot. - **ICE detention warehouse update:** New NYT reporting says DHS is looking to offload the SLC warehouse it overpaid for. - **Trump endorses Moore, Malloy, Kennedy:** Predictable picks spark a meltdown among Phil Lyman supporters who'd convinced themselves Trump would back Lyman. ****Subscribe to Special Session with Bryan Schott** [Subscribe ](https://specialsession.podbean.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) - **CD3: Malloy vs. Lyman:** Why this race is closer than it looks: 60% of the district has never seen Malloy on a ballot, Lyman's base is more energized, but his campaign is missing basic blocking-and-tackling — including a still-unfiled federal financial disclosure. - **Stuart Adams' money machine:** A breakdown of how his own leadership PAC funneled $110K into his own primary, plus campaign-cash spending on a steakhouse dinner in NYC. - **Legislative primary cash flood:** $1.5M+ raised across 22 contested races. - **Open primary mechanics:** How non-Democrats can still request a ballot in the CD1 Democratic primary, and why Republicans could "mess with" that race if they organized. - **Trump vs. vote-by-mail:** Trump's Truth Social attack on Utah's mail ballots, and Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson's pointed rebuttal. - **The press-pass lawsuit:** New GRAMA numbers: the Legislature has spent **$428,000** so far on outside lawyers fighting Bryan's First Amendment case...and counting. - **Mark your calendar:** Live election night coverage Tuesday, June 23 at 7:30 PM with [David Nir of *The Downballot*](https://www.the-downballot.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news). [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Utah's legislative primaries are drowning in PAC cash URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-primary-2026-pac-money-legislative-races/ Last updated: 2026-06-18T22:51:44.000Z Less than a week before Utah's primary election, Senate President Stuart Adams has more money in the bank than any other candidate on the ballot, and he may need every dollar of it as he works to fend off a stiff challenge to his bid for another term in office. The candidates running in Utah’s 22 legislative primaries raised more than $1.4 million since the Democratic and Republican conventions. About a third of that, $526,000, came from political action committees. ## Senate District 7 - Stuart Adams vs. Stephanie Hollist and Braden Hess Adams is locked in a tight primary race with Republicans Stephanie Hollist and Braden Hess. According to pre-primary financial disclosures, he reported $193,605 in donations since mid-April. The Adams Leadership PAC, which he controls, gave more than $110,000 to his campaign in cash contributions and in-kind donations. He received $15,000 from the Utah Republican Senate Campaign Committee, which lists Adams and Sen. Kirk Cullimore as the organization’s leaders on paperwork filed with the state. Former Zions Bank President Scott Anderson kicked in another $15,000, spread over two donations. Adams has the most cash on hand of any primary candidate, with more than $119,000 in the bank. He spent just over $65,000 on signature gathering to qualify for the primary ballot. He reported spending just over $8,000 on travel and $3,135 for a bill at [Bobby Van’s](https://bobbyvans.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news), a ritzy New York City steakhouse. Hollist raised just over $90,000, with nearly all of it ($75,000) coming from her father, Kayden Bell. Braden Hess raised just $5,504 during the reporting period, with most of that coming from money he loaned his own campaign. ## Senate District 18 - Dan McCay vs. Doug Fiefia Incumbent Republican Dan McCay avoided elimination from the race at the GOP state convention by just two votes, losing the delegate vote to state Rep. Doug Fiefia. According to the most recent financial disclosures, McCay has outraised Fiefia by nearly 2 to 1 since that close call. A whopping 81.5% of McCay’s donations ($85,600) came from PACs, industry groups and corporations. The biggest chunk ($40,000) came from the Utah Republican Senate Campaign Committee. That PAC donated another $15,000 to McCay in March. Several of his Senate colleagues added another $17,000 in contributions to his campaign. Almost all of the money Fiefia reported raising from April to June came from individual donations. Fiefia’s campaign has a brutal 187% burn rate during the reporting period—he spent nearly twice what he raised and had to dig into the big cash reserves he built up ahead of the convention. ## Senate District 21 - Brady Brammer vs. Kelly Smith Incumbent Republican Brady Brammer raised $124,001 in the pre-primary reporting period, the second most for any candidate on the primary ballot. Much of it came from GOP leadership and allied PACs. - $40,000 from the Utah Republican Senate Campaign Committee. The same PAC donated $15,000 to him in January. - Brammer also received a $5,000 donation from the Utah County Legislative PAC, led by Republican state Rep. Stephanie Gricius. - $5,000 each from Senate Republicans Kirk Cullimore, Chris Wilson and Mike McKell. Sen. Scott Sandall donated $2,500 while Sen. Evan Vickers chipped in $1,000\. Former Utah House Speaker Greg Curtis chipped in $1,250, and former Sen. Curt Bramble gave $1,000. Kelly Smith, Brammer’s primary opponent, reported just over $65,000 in donations, with nearly $15,000 of that an in-kind donation to pay for signature gathering from the Checks and Balances PAC. Another $20,725 of her donations were from loans she made to her own campaign. She also received $16,500 in cash donations from Fresh Air PAC, headed up by David Garbett, and another $8,000 cash donation from the Checks and Balances PAC. ## House District 16 - Trevor Lee vs. Bob Stevenson Davis County Commissioner Bob Stevenson outraised incumbent Rep. Trevor Lee by more than 2-1 during the most recent period, but $33,875 of that was a loan from Stevenson to himself. Remove that loan from the total, and the gap narrows to about 1.4 to 1. Overall, Stevenson has put a little more than $58,000 into his campaign since he jumped into the race in January. Lee has put $10,000 of his own money into his campaign. Lee raised approximately $36,000 during the current reporting period, but a big chunk was a single $20,000 donation from [WCEC Engineers](https://www.linkedin.com/company/wallconsultantgroup/?ref=utahpolitics.news). That same firm donated another $10,000 to Lee’s campaign in March. Other candidates, both Republican and Democrat, have donated to Stevenson’s quest to unseat Lee in the Utah House. They include: - $2,500 from Republican congressman Blake Moore. - $1,000 from Sen. Ann Millner - $125 from Democratic Salt Lake County Councilmember Ross Romero - $1,000 from Sen. Jerry Stevenson Stevenson has also pulled in a $10,000 donation from former Utah House Speaker Kevin Garn, $500 from Ally Isom, who challenged Mike Lee for the GOP U.S. Senate nomination in 2022, $500 from former Utah State Treasurer David Damschen and $1,000 from former Rep. Steve Handy, whom Lee defeated for the GOP nomination in 2022. A few of Lee’s legislative colleagues have donated to his campaign, but have given far less. His disclosures include a $500 donation from Reps. Neil Walter and Rex Shipp and $50 from Sen. Heidi Balderee. ## House District 44 - Jordan Teuscher vs. Scott Stephenson Like the SD21 race, the GOP establishment has been rallying behind incumbent Rep. Jordan Teuscher as he fights to fend off a potent challenge from Scott Stephenson. Teuscher raised just over $40,000 following the GOP convention, with more than half of that coming from PACs. He received a pair of $10,000 donations from the Utah House Republican Election Committee PAC and Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz’s leadership PAC. Current and former legislators who donated to Teuscher include former Rep. Jefferson Burton ($5,000), Sen. Kirk Cullimore ($2,500), Sen. Chris Wilson ($1,000), Sen. Mike McKell ($500), former House Majority Leader Jefferson Moss ($1,000), Rep. Joseph Elison ($1041.98) and former Utah House Speaker Greg Curtis ($1,000). Nearly 70% of the money Stephenson raised during the just-completed period comes from PACs and labor organizations, which stands to reason as he is the longtime head of the Utah Fraternal Order of Police. ## Odds and Ends **Congressional candidates donating to primary candidates** Rep. Blake Moore’s campaign made two donations to Republican primary candidates this cycle, contributing $2,500 to Bob Stevenson in HD16 and $1,000 to Kara Toone in HD14. Sen. Mike Lee’s leadership PAC donated $5,000 to Dan McCay’s campaign on June 13, just 10 days ahead of the primary. First Congressional District Democratic candidate Ben McAdams gave $300 to Silvia Catten in SD13, $100 to Stephanie Pitcher in SD14 and $25 to Rep. Andrew Stoddard in HD40. Jeremy Andrus, CEO of Traeger Grills, has donated to three Republican primary candidates. $10,000 to Doug Fiefia and $2,500 each to Bob Stevenson and Kara Toone. Pennsylvania real estate developer Howard Rich is Rep. Jordan Teuscher’s largest individual donor during this election cycle, who has donated $15,500 to his campaign. He also donated $500 to Trevor Lee and Democrat Andrew Stoddard. Rich is known for giving to school choice and limited government candidates. [He founded](https://ballotpedia.org/Howard%5FRich?ref=utahpolitics.news) U.S. Term Limits and Americans for Limited Government. Christina “CJ” Hernandez, who is facing Dakota Wurth for the Democratic nomination in SD5, has the most extreme burn rate in the field at 271%. She’s spent nearly three times what she raised during the most recent period. It’s not as alarming as it sounds, since the absolute dollar amount is small. Five candidates are underwater, reporting negative cash-on-hand, according to the most recent reports. Sheldon Birch (-$4,816), Wendy Davis (-$3,464), John Taylor (-$687), Evan Done (-$655), and Eryn Russo (-$350). Evan Done is notable because he led the fundraising this period in the Democratic primary in SD13, but he spent all of it and then some. Democrat Wendy Davis, who is challenging Rep. Andrew Stoddard in HD40, is two-thirds self-funded, reporting more than 70 contributions to her campaign totaling nearly $21,000. Forward Party founder Andrew Yang donated $1,000 to Democrat Karen Kwan in SD12 and $500 to Colin Smith, who is the Forward Party nominee in SD13. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ## ### 'Behold your little ones.' New ad scorches Stuart Adams over child rape law change and plea deal URL: https://utahpolitics.news/stuart-adams-attack-ad-child-rape-plea-deal/ Last updated: 2026-06-16T21:59:37.000Z A brutal new attack ad from a national pro-democracy group goes straight at Utah Senate President Stuart Adams, blasting him for helping change state law in a way that prosecutors later cited while cutting a plea deal for his step-granddaughter in a child rape case. Adams, who faces his first-ever primary, is also under fire for backing a massive Box Elder County data center. In 2023, Adams’ step-granddaughter, then 18, was charged with two counts of rape of a child and two counts of sodomy on a child, all first-degree felonies, after she had sex with a 13-year-old boy. In Utah, anyone under 14 cannot legally consent. She was facing years in prison. At the time, Utah law allowed 17-year-olds to be charged as a juvenile with unlawful sexual activity, a third-degree felony. During the 2024 Utah Legislature, Adams backed a change letting prosecutors, in limited cases, treat 18-year-olds accused of child rape as minors if they were still enrolled in high school, opening the door to lesser charges than a first-degree felony. Adams’ step-granddaughter just so happened to fit those very circumstances. The change was not retroactive. Even so, the judge, prosecutor and defense attorney in her case cited it as a major factor in offering a plea. Instead of four first-degree felonies, she pleaded guilty to second-degree felony aggravated assault and three misdemeanor counts of sexual battery. The deal also spared her from the sex offender registry. Adams has said he did nothing wrong, noting she ultimately received a more serious charge than the law change provided for. The spot from [JoinTheUnion](http://jointheunion.us/?ref=utahpolitics.news) doesn’t pull any punches. Over footage of a girl on a swing, on-screen text reads, “The only violent crime in Utah above the national average is rape. Stuart Adams weakened penalties for child rapists.” The screen fades to black and reads, “Behold your little ones,” a nod to a [Book of Mormon verse](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/17?lang=eng&id=p23&ref=utahpolitics.news#p23). Adams faces Republican primary challengers Stephanie Hollist and Braden Hess. It’s his first primary in the Utah Legislature. JoinTheUnion, headed by former Republican consultant and Park City resident Reed Galen, says the ad will run on KSL and across digital platforms in Utah ahead of next week’s primary. "Utahns, and voters in Senate District 7 deserve better than Stuart Adams. Time and again he’s put himself and his interests before those of the people, including in ways that are beyond imagination," Galen said in a text message to Utah Political Watch. As Adams worked to defuse criticism from the scandal, Senate staffers [distributed talking points](https://utahpolitics.news/what-utah-senate-staffers-told-lawmakers-to-say-about-stuart-adams-the-law-and-a-child-sex-case/) to Senate Republicans stressing she did not go unpunished because she was “publicly arrested,” “spent 8 days in jail,” and wore an ankle monitor for more than 500 days. Utah’s primary is June 23. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### What the latest campaign finance reports tell us ahead of next week's Utah congressional primaries URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-primary-2026-campaign-finance-fundraising-cd1-cd2-cd3/ Last updated: 2026-06-16T01:30:35.000Z The money math is brutal heading into Utah’s June 23 congressional primary elections. In CD2, Blake Moore has 32 times more cash on hand than his challenger. In CD3, Celste Maloy has 33 times more. ## CD1 Democratic Primary Ben McAdams has raised $1.91 million this cycle, spent $1.57 million, and still has $836K cash on hand heading into the primary homestretch. McAdams raised $368K in the most recent report. About 85% of the individual donors to his campaign are from Utah, who account for just over half the money he’s raised during the cycle. Several prominent Utah donors, including the Quinney family (David and Shari) and Koshrow Semnani gave large ($7,000) donations to McAdams’ campaign. McAdams raised just under $50,000 from 16 PACs, including the National Association of Realtors ($10K). State Senator Nate Blouin has raised about $643,000 cycle-to-date with $232,000 cash on hand. He raised just under $117,000 during the most recent reporting period. His donors are more geographically spread out, with 72% from Utah and just under 12% from California. He has just under $56,000 cash-on-hand. Last month, [Blouin landed a guest spot](https://www.ksl.com/article/news/politics/middle-east-politics-dominate-nate-blouins-interview-with-hasan-piker/51497944?ref=utahpolitics.news) on progressive streamer Hasan Piker's show, the kind of exposure that can light up small-dollar fundraising overnight. There’s not much evidence that happened, though. The week of May 11-17, when Blouin appeared on Piker's stream, was actually his worst fundraising week of the entire filing period, just $5,400 across 32 transactions. The day of the appearance itself? $1,020 from seven donors. The days after were equally quiet. Blouin's campaign disputed those totals, asserting small dollar donations tell a much different story. A campaign official said his appearance on Piker's show resulted in nearly $7,300 in direct donations, and they raised nearly $16,900 during the entire week. Campaigns are only required to itemize contributions when a donor gives $200 or more, so that data is not available publicly. Liban Mohamed raised $287,000 so far this cycle, but $46,000 of that is his own money. Only 10% of his contributors are from Utah, with the bulk coming from Washington state, Minnesota and Virginia. He enters the homestretch with just $112,000 on hand, leaving him with little for a get-out-the-vote operation. Michael Farrell has the most individual donors in the most recent reporting period, but they're not writing big checks. His ActBlue donation list is long, but the amounts are small, with most contributions falling between $5 and $50\. He’s personally loaned his campaign $200,000 across four transactions and has just $39,000 cash on hand. ## CD2 GOP primary Incumbent Republican Blake Moore has raised $2.3 million this cycle. Karianne Lisonbee has raised $177,000\. Moore has $1.95 million cash on hand; Lisonbee has under $60,000\. That's a 13-1 fundraising gap and a 32-1 cash advantage. A significant chunk of Moore's money, $1.3 million, has come from PACs, corporate donors and fellow House members, which tracks for a member of GOP leadership. Moore’s campaign also cut checks to two Utah legislative candidates: $2,500 to Bob Stevenson, who is primarying incumbent GOP Rep. Trevor Lee in HD16, and $1,000 to Kara Toone in HD14. Meanwhile, Lisonbee used donor funds to repay a $4,000 campaign loan she'd made to herself, and reported more than $17,000 in personal reimbursements on top of that, meaning she took back at least 15 cents of every dollar her campaign spent last period. Lisonbee’s lack of campaign cash means her operation had to use old-school campaign tactics, spending heavily on ad buys through the Deseret News ($33,600) and texting outreach to voters ($5,000). Moore dropped $248,000 on media placement and $40,000 on polling. Offsetting Moore's cash edge, the Defending Conservative Values PAC, [which appears tied](https://utahpolitics.news/defending-conservative-values-pac-blake-moore-attack-ads-utah/) to a close political ally of Sen. Mike Lee, has burned nearly $132,000 on digital ads attacking Moore. Lisonbee also paid $6,000 in consulting fees to Michael Jolley, who served as a communications staffer in Lee's Senate office from 2017 to 2019\. She also cut a $5,000 check to Eagle Equine Products for advertising, a company Jolley owns. Jolley [has been attacking Moore relentlessly](https://x.com/mjolley22?ref=utahpolitics.news) on his X account, without disclosing that he is on Lisonbee’s payroll or that he currently lives in Georgia. ## CD3 GOP primary The money gap in CD3 isn’t as dramatic as CD2, but it’s close. Celeste Maloy raised $308,000 during the most recent period compared to Phil Lyman's $38,000, an 8-1 advantage, and she holds more than 33 times as much cash on hand heading into primary day. Lyman’s campaign is propped up heavily by his own funds. He's made $22,500 in loans to his own operation and kicked in another $10,000 in May. The $22,000 in itemized donations on his most recent report came from just 22 individual donors. Maloy reported donations from six people connected to The Bernhardt Group, the consulting firm run by former Trump Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, who [played a significant role](https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eenews/1060106263?ref=utahpolitics.news) in the shrinking of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments during Trump's first term. She's also pulled in $119,000 from 44 PAC contributions. Despite the robust fundraising, Maloy’s campaign [lists more than $143K in outstanding debt](https://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/forms/C00842765/1982791/sd/10?ref=utahpolitics.news) for fundraising, signature gathering and advertising. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ## ### Tracking the outside spending in Utah's congressional primary elections URL: https://utahpolitics.news/tracking-the-outside-spending-in-utahs-congressional-primary-elections/ Last updated: 2026-06-11T15:39:55.000Z PACs and other outside groups have poured more than $3.5 million into Utah's congressional primaries ahead of the June 23 election. ## CD 1 ### Total outside spending: $2,117,420 (as of June 11, 2026) - **$2,117,420 supporting Ben McAdams** ## CD 2 ### Total outside spending: $246,151 (as of June 11, 2026) - **$118,271 supporting Blake Moore** - **$122,880 opposing Blake Moore** - **$5,000 opposing Kariane Lisonbee** ## CD3 ### Total outside spending: $1,164,914 (as of June 11, 2026) - **$1,144,914 supporting Celeste Maloy** - **$20,000 opposing Phil Lyman** ### Update: Super PACs pour $2.8M into Utah's congressional primaries URL: https://utahpolitics.news/super-pac-spending-utah-congressional-primary-2026/ Last updated: 2026-06-09T22:37:36.000Z Super PAC cash is flooding Utah’s airwaves ahead of the June 23 primary. In the Democratic 1st Congressional District race, a fresh $1 million ad buy backs Ben McAdams, with another wave from a tech-funded group queued up for next week. In the 2nd District, new ad buys prop up Rep. Blake Moore while taking swings at Karianne Lisonbee. ## CD 1 ### Total outside spending: $1,549,746 (as of June 9, 2026) - **$1,549,746 supporting Ben McAdams** A super PAC that works to elect moderate Democrats to Congress dropped more than $1 million on ads to boost Ben McAdams in Utah’s 1st Congressional District primary. The [New Democrat Majority PAC](https://www.newdemocratmajority.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news), the political arm of the [New Democrat Coalition](https://newdemocratcoalition.house.gov/?ref=utahpolitics.news), reported $1,025,000 in independent expenditures on Tuesday for McAdams ads. [Punchbowl News](https://punchbowl.news/archive/6126-am/?ref=utahpolitics.news) first flagged the buy last week. It won’t be the only big ad spend in the race. Axios’s Andrew Solender reports that Think Big PAC, a tech-aligned group funded in part by OpenAI, Palantir and Andreessen Horowitz, will launch a $450,000 pro-McAdams buy next week, nearly matching McAdams’s own ad spending this cycle. > Think Big PAC instantly becomes the third largest spender in [#UT01](https://x.com/hashtag/UT01?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) with this ad buy, per [@AdImpact\_Pol](https://x.com/AdImpact%5FPol?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news), nearly eclipsing McAdams' own campaign. [https://t.co/lDp878p5e7](https://t.co/lDp878p5e7?ref=utahpolitics.news) [pic.twitter.com/oRJHta5Dh0](https://t.co/oRJHta5Dh0?ref=utahpolitics.news) > > — Andrew Solender (@AndrewSolender) [June 9, 2026](https://x.com/AndrewSolender/status/2064322509764190438?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) ## CD 2 ### Total outside spending: $218,938 (as of June 9, 2026) - **$104,832 supporting Blake Moore** - **$109,106 opposing Blake Moore** - **$5,000 opposing Kariane Lisonbee** Defending Utah Values, a super PAC led by Owen Fuller, a political ally of Gov. Spencer Cox, reported $10,000 in new spending: $5,000 to support Moore and $5,000 to oppose challenger Karianne Lisonbee. ## CD3 ### Total outside spending: $1,150,943 (as of June 9, 2026) - **$1,130,943 supporting Celeste Maloy** - **$20,000 opposing Phil Lyman** [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ## ### Think you know Utah politics? Prove it URL: https://utahpolitics.news/think-you-know-utah-politics-prove-it/ Last updated: 2026-06-09T17:41:33.000Z Utah's June 23 primary election is almost here, with 24 races on the ballot. How many of them can you predict correctly? **Introducing the Utah Political Watch 2026 Primary Pick 'Em contest—exclusively for paid subscribers.** ## How to play Pick the winner of all 24 primaries on the June 23 ballot: - 3 congressional primaries - 7 Utah Senate primaries - 14 Utah House primaries The subscriber with the most correct picks wins. **Tiebreaker** If multiple people end up tied on correct picks, we go to the tiebreaker: whoever gets closest to the certified vote percentage for the winner of each of the three congressional primaries takes it home. **The prize** The winner gets a trophy and lunch with me at a moderately priced restaurant of their choice. Most importantly, bragging rights as the best political prognosticator in the Utah Political Watch community. ## How to enter Fill out the form below before polls close on June 23\. One entry per paid subscriber. This contest is for paid subscribers only. [Upgrade here](https://utahpolitics.news/#/portal) and you'll be eligible to enter—plus you'll be supporting independent journalism in Utah. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### $1.8 million in outside money is pouring into Utah's congressional primaries URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-congressional-primary-outside-spending-2026/ Last updated: 2026-06-08T18:16:08.000Z In CD1, every outside dollar so far is backing former Rep. Ben McAdams, and there’s another $1 million ad blitz queued up to boost him. In CD2, Rep. Blake Moore is getting hammered by a shadowy super PAC that just popped up, while a centrist group tries to prop him up by mail. And in CD3, a seven-figure wave is lifting Rep. Celeste Maloy, much of it fueled by her old boss, as an ally of Gov. Spencer Cox goes after her opponent, Phil Lyman. ## CD1 ### Total outside spending: $524,746 (as of June 8, 2026) - $524,746 supporting Ben McAdams When McAdams jumped into the race, [WelcomePAC](https://welcome.team/?ref=utahpolitics.news) reported spending $21,835 [on text messages supporting McAdams’](https://utahpolitics.news/welcome-pac-pushes-texts-to-recruit-democrat-ben-mcadams/) candidacy in November and another $989 on digital ads. [Way Back PAC](https://waybackpac.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news), a federal hybrid PAC based in Sheridan, Wyoming, has spent $20,923 on digital advertising, mailers, and text messages backing McAdams. The PAC has also donated to several state and local level candidates in Utah during recent election cycles, including Republican Lisa Dean, who unsuccessfully challenged Rep. Ken Ivory in HD39, Republican Provo Mayor Marsha Judkins, and Democrats Evan Done and Dakota Wurth, who are running for Utah Senate. [America’s Credit Unions PAC](https://www.americascreditunions.org/news-media/press-release/press-release-americas-credit-unions-pac-announces-new-expenditure-utah?ref=utahpolitics.news) is spending $300,000 for mailers and advertising to boost McAdams campaign. The [Article One PAC](https://www.articleonepac.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news) reported $181,000 on digital ads and texting for Adams late last week. The super PAC previously waded into Democratic primaries in New Jersey, North Carolina and California. Its two reported donors are Article One Action Fund and the Guzman Foundation, both 501c4 “dark money” groups that aren’t required to disclose their donors. An affiliated joint fundraising committee, [Article One Victory](https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00931444/?tab=about-committee&ref=utahpolitics.news), lists billionaire Rob Granieri, the founder of the Jane Street investment firm, as its sole donor. [Punchbowl News reported last week](https://punchbowl.news/archive/6126-am/?ref=utahpolitics.news) [New Democrat Majority](https://www.newdemocratmajority.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news), the independent expenditure arm of the [New Democrat Coalition](https://newdemocratcoalition.house.gov/?ref=utahpolitics.news), is launching a $1 million ad campaign for McAdams. [The spot praises McAdams](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjxc9YNvNkM&ref=utahpolitics.news) for voting to impeach President Donald Trump in 2019\. So far, the group has not filed any expenditure reports with the Federal Election Commission. ## CD2 ### Total outside spending: $208,938 (as of June 8, 2026) - $99,832 supporting Blake Moore - $109,106 opposing Blake Moore The Center Forward Initiative, a super PAC affiliated with the centrist [Center Forward organization](https://center-forward.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news), reported spending $99,832 on direct mailers supporting Moore in May. [Defending Conservative Values PAC](https://dcvpac.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news), a newly formed super PAC that [appears affiliated with Dan Hauser](https://utahpolitics.news/defending-conservative-values-pac-blake-moore-attack-ads-utah/), a top ally of Sen. Mike Lee, has spent $109,106 on digital ads attacking Moore so far this cycle. ## CD3 ### Total outside spending: $1,109,395 (as of June 8, 2026) - $1,089,395 supporting Celeste Maloy - $20,000 opposing Phil Lyman [Defending our Values PAC](https://www.defendingvaluespac.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news), a super PAC [controlled by former Utah Rep. Chris Stewart](https://utahpolitics.news/stewart-pac-maloy-cd3-utah-primary/), has spent $879,000 on TV and digital ads and mailers supporting Maloy, a former staffer in Stewart’s office who won the special election to replace him when he resigned in 2023. The [American Conservation Coalition PAC](https://accpac.eco/?ref=utahpolitics.news) (ACC PAC), the political arm of the conservative [American Conservation Coalition](https://acc.eco/?ref=utahpolitics.news), is responsible for $142,695 in outside spending on mailers and ad buys supporting Maloy. The [WFW Action Fund](https://www.wfwactionfund.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news), which works to elect Republican women to Congress, has spent $37,700 on radio ads for Maloy. [Defending Utah Values](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572152951496#), a PAC led by Owen Fuller, a longtime ally of Gov. Spencer Cox, has dropped $30,000 on digital ads supporting Maloy and $20,000 on ads attacking Maloy’s primary opponent, Phil Lyman. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Ben McAdams makes his case URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/ben-mcadams-utah-cd1-democratic-primary-interview/ Last updated: 2026-06-05T21:21:25.000Z Utah 1st Congressional District Democratic candidate Ben McAdams joins Utah Political Watch for a wide-ranging interview ahead of the June 23 primary election. McAdams, a former state senator, Salt Lake County Mayor, and one-term congressman, makes his case for why his track record on delivering results sets him apart from his three primary opponents. In the interview, McAdams addresses his financial disclosures that show he has an ownership stake in AI data center companies, including one specializing in data center infrastructure, even as he campaigns in vocal opposition to the Stratos data center proposed for Box Elder County. He draws a distinction between that project, which he says uses too much water and bypassed the public process, and a separate Southern Utah project he consulted on that he says prioritizes renewable energy and a waterless operation. He also talks about the state Democratic convention results, where he finished second to [Liban Mohamed](https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/liban-mohamed-utah-cd1-democratic-primary-2026-special-session/), and pushes back on the idea that the outcome signals the party base wants a more confrontational representative. McAdams argues primary voters care about outcomes over ideological purity tests. On the Trump administration, McAdams doesn't mince words. He calls Trump "the most dangerous threat to American democracy in our lifetime" and says he's the only candidate in this race, or in the state, who has already paid a political price for standing up to him. ### Chris Stewart's super PAC drops nearly $900K to back Celeste Maloy in Utah's 3rd Congressional District URL: https://utahpolitics.news/stewart-pac-maloy-cd3-utah-primary/ Last updated: 2026-06-05T19:30:51.000Z Former Rep. Chris Stewart’s super PAC just dropped nearly $900,000 to prop up Rep. Celeste Maloy in Utah’s 3rd Congressional District, a race she barely survived two years ago. Maloy served as an attorney in Stewart’s office and then won the special election to succeed him in Congress when he abruptly retired in 2023\. Under Federal Election Commission rules, candidates and super PACs cannot coordinate. Since Sunday, the [Defending Our Values](https://www.defendingvaluespac.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) super PAC, chaired by Stewart, has reported expenditures totaling $879,000 to support Maloy. That tops the $722,734 in all outside spending during her 2024 primary against Colby Jenkins, which she won by just 176 votes. The buys cover television and digital ads plus at least three mailers. Both of the pro-Maloy ads lean hard into her Trump credentials, featuring a 2025 Truth Social post in which former President Donald Trump says Maloy will “never let you down,” alongside a bold “Endorsed by President Trump” graphic. State Rep. Phil Lyman, who is challenging Maloy in the GOP primary, slammed the pro-Maloy spending, tying it into his larger anti-corruption message. “Members of Congress are supposed to protect the citizens of their state and district, not sell them to the highest bidder. Of course, in this case, the highest bidder is willing to pay $870,000 in just their first installment. Who knows what they expect in return. Utah is run by pirates. This needs to stop,” Lyman said in a statement. Maloy’s campaign did not comment directly on the spending by Stewart’s group, but did provide a statement. “Our campaign cannot coordinate with any outside groups, and we are focused on what we can control. Communicating directly with voters about my conservative record, my work to cut taxes, secure our border, defend Utah’s public lands, and deliver real results for Utah families. I am grateful to be endorsed by leaders throughout Utah, and the support I have received during this campaign.” Stewart’s PAC sits inside a network affiliated with Public First Action, a nonprofit pushing AI regulations and safeguards. The group [launched last year](https://publicfirstaction.us/news/chris-stewart-brad-carson-announce-new-organization-and-bipartisan-super-pacs-to-support-ai-safeguards?ref=utahpolitics.news), co-founded by Stewart and Oklahoma Democrat Brad Carson, as a counterweight to the Leading the Future super PAC, which is pushing for looser AI regulation. Anthropic chipped in $20 million to Public First Action earlier this year, and the organization says it’s aiming to raise $75 million for the midterms. The $879,000 is the second-largest amount Defending Our Values has put behind a candidate so far this cycle. The biggest: $1.49 million for Texas Republican Carlos De La Cruz, who won the primary in Texas’ 35th Congressional District last month. In all, outside groups have poured more than $1 million into the CD3 race, with most of it supporting Maloy. A separate committee, Defending Utah Values PAC, spent $20,000 on ads attacking Lyman. That PAC is led by Owen Fuller, a longtime ally of Gov. Spencer Cox, who beat Lyman in the 2024 GOP gubernatorial primary. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### After a messy internal brawl, the Salt Lake County GOP sacks its vice chair URL: https://utahpolitics.news/salt-lake-county-gop-ousts-vice-chair-sarah-montes/ Last updated: 2026-06-03T22:06:13.000Z After months of infighting over a plan to endorse candidates in nonpartisan races, the Salt Lake County Republican Party ousted its vice chair, Sarah Montes, on Tuesday night in a unanimous move by the other elected party leaders. The party announced on social media that Chairman Mike Carey, Secretary Emily Swanson, and Treasurer Karl Jurek had invoked a provision in the party bylaws allowing them to declare an officer position vacant if the remaining officers agreed the officeholder was "unwilling or incapable" of fulfilling the responsibilities of the office. The move came days after a [chaotic county central committee meeting](https://www.threads.com/@schotthappens/post/DY-BKWWEXra?xmt=AQG0Xdp30RbQ0HktKHKSecLvvjvNYeSG5SSVQ16ebCoobg&ref=utahpolitics.news) where some members mounted an effort to overturn [disciplinary sanctions against several party members](https://utahpolitics.news/salt-lake-county-gop-bans-seven-members-through-2030-after-endorsement-dispute-spirals-into-criminal-allegations/) who had accused party leadership of breaking the law. Montes said she believes she was pushed out, in part, because she stepped off the dais to join the debate over those penalties while other officers stayed put. Carey and the others, she says, accused her of siding against the disciplinary action and with the members pushing to get the sanctions lifted. “Just because I see a problem with what you are doing, it doesn’t mean I’m on the other side,” Montes said. Carey said removing Montes was prompted by several instances where she broke with party leadership on key decisions. “When you are an elected officer, you have a duty and responsibility to respect the decision of the body, whether you agree with it or not,” Carey said. He said Montes was asked to resign and refused, prompting the vote to remove her. To understand why any of this happened, you have to go back to last year, when Salt Lake County GOP leaders considered a plan to endorse candidates in nonpartisan municipal races. A faction led by Tracie Halvorsen objected, warning that doing so would constitute “illegal election interference.” When leaders pushed ahead anyway, Halvorsen's group escalated: they sent letters to several city attorneys urging criminal charges. They also sent letters to then-Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel. Political parties endorsing candidates in nonpartisan races is not illegal in Utah. Other county GOP organizations in Utah have done something similar recently. Eight signers were then brought up on internal party charges for making false allegations against leadership. After a nearly eight-hour trial in February, seven of them were stripped of their party roles and banned from attending party functions until mid-2030. > [ View on Threads](https://www.threads.com/@schotthappens/post/DY-BKWWEXra?ref=utahpolitics.news) Saturday’s central committee meeting was supposed to relitigate the outcome, with allies seeking to overturn those punishments. The meeting quickly devolved. Members spent nearly two hours just approving an agenda. Supporters of the disciplined members tried and failed to force Carey to recuse and hand the gavel to Montes, and a move to oust the parliamentarian for perceived bias because he presided over the February trial also failed. In the end, every attempt to undo the penalties failed. A final motion to reinstate six members, including Natalie Cline, the former state school board member, died on a tie vote. Three days later, Montes was out. She says she's still figuring out whether she has any recourse. Carey says the central committee will elect a replacement to finish out her term at the quarterly meeting in August. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Michael Farrell wants to ban data centers and tax the rich. Can he win Utah's CD1? URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/michael-farrell-utah-cd1-democratic-primary-2026/ Last updated: 2026-06-03T16:55:48.000Z Michael Farrell is running as the policy-focused progressive in Utah's newly redrawn 1st Congressional District, and he's not shy about drawing contrasts with his primary opponents. In an interview with Utah Political Watch, Farrell argued that the other candidates in the Democratic primary are running "vibes-based campaigns" while he's offering detailed plans on healthcare, taxes, and housing. He called for a complete ban on data centers in Utah and nationwide, criticized Ben McAdams' ownership stake in a southern Utah data center, and criticized Liban Mohamed's lobbying work for Meta. He also laid out his tax strategy centered on closing loopholes and raising rates on multimillionaires and billionaires while cutting them for everyone else. Farrell, who says his mother died from a terminal illness after leaving a hospital with a $150,000 bill, has been pushing for single-payer healthcare since he was 21\. He acknowledges the political math is tough—Democrats are only about a quarter of registered voters in CD1—but says his pitch to moderates and independents is simple: "We deserve nice things. We have the money for it." [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Mystery PAC drops $35K in attack ads against Blake Moore. The money trail leads to an ally of Sen. Mike Lee's front door URL: https://utahpolitics.news/defending-conservative-values-pac-blake-moore-attack-ads-utah/ Last updated: 2026-06-03T13:21:57.000Z A newly formed super PAC is dropping nearly $35,000 on AI-generated attack ads targeting Rep. Blake Moore ahead of Utah's June Republican primary in the 2nd Congressional District. Despite an elaborate paper trail designed to obscure who's behind it, the money trail appears to lead to Dan Hauser, a longtime adviser to Utah Sen. Mike Lee. [Defending Conservative Values PAC](https://dcvpac.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news) registered with the Federal Election Commission on May 9\. Its ads brand Moore as "Salt Lake Blake," targeting the three-term incumbent for living in Salt Lake City while running to represent the newly drawn 2nd District, which covers northern Utah and doesn't include any part of Salt Lake County. The PAC's ad spending flows to a shell company called Conservative Action Group, which was incorporated earlier this year in Wyoming. That state doesn't require businesses to disclose their owners. The shell company [lists a virtual office in Casper](https://www.alliancevirtualoffices.com/virtual-office/us/wy/casper/east-2nd-street-3579?ref=utahpolitics.news) on its official paperwork. But buried in FEC filings this week is a second address for the company: a street address in Alpine, Utah, that belongs to Hauser, a veteran Utah GOP operative who was on Lee's official Senate payroll until last year. Hauser confirmed the address match when contacted by Utah Political Watch, calling it a clerical error. But, when asked directly whether he had any involvement with the PAC or its affiliated shell company, he wouldn't say no. "Go ahead and link me personally to whatever entity you would like that is working to get an actual conservative to represent that district," Hauser said. "Blake Moore has been a failure at that." Nearly everything about Defending Conservative Values is built to reveal as little as possible. The PAC's [statement of organization](https://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/forms/C00950097/1976861/?ref=utahpolitics.news) lists a single name: Thomas Datwyler of Hudson, Wisconsin, as both custodian of records and treasurer. A Utah state PAC with the same name appeared two days after the FEC filing, also listing only Datwyler. The PAC's website carries no contact information and links only to an [X account](https://dcvpac.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news) with fewer than 150 followers. [Its YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@DCVPAC?ref=utahpolitics.news) has just two subscribers. The $35,000 in ad buys flowed to a company called [Conservative Action Group](https://opencorporates.com/companies/us%5Fwy/2026-001920359?ref=utahpolitics.news), incorporated in Wyoming in March. Wyoming law allows businesses to register without disclosing ownership information. Conservative Action Group's official paperwork lists a virtual office in Casper as its address, and its only named contact is Lovette Dobson, a registered agent whose name appears on more than 45,000 business filings across the country, [according to INC.com](https://www.inc.com/sam-blum/who-is-lovette-dobson-and-why-does-her-name-appear-on-more-than-70000-business-filings/91144465?ref=utahpolitics.news). Datwyler is not just a name on a form. [On his company website](https://9sevenfec.com/thomas-datwyler/?ref=utahpolitics.news), he says he has guided more than 400 political committees and filed over 4,000 FEC reports. He serves as treasurer for [Sen. Mike Lee's campaign](https://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/forms/C00473827/1894230/?ref=utahpolitics.news) committee, his [joint fundraising committee](https://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/forms/C00767368/1894319/?ref=utahpolitics.news), and [his leadership PAC](https://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/forms/C00494302/1894231/?ref=utahpolitics.news). He is also the treasurer for Liberty Champions, a super PAC that first emerged during Lee's 2022 re-election race against independent Evan McMullin. FEC records show that one of Liberty Champions' clients is L4 Consulting, a company owned by Hauser, which [he incorporated in Wyoming](https://wyobiz.wyo.gov/Business/FilingDetails.aspx?eFNum=147068215215202248178113148058002159220099228202&ref=utahpolitics.news) in 2022\. Last year, Liberty Champions [targeted a local Utah school board race in Alpine](https://utahpolitics.news/pac-linked-to-sen-mike-lees-political-network-jumps-into-utah-school-board-race/), sending attack mailers against Stacy Bateman, a candidate for a seat on the newly created Aspen Peaks School Board. In a statement, Datwyler said the Alpine address for Conservative Action Group on the FEC filings was a mistake. Hauser offered the same explanation. “Dan made me aware of the address mistake earlier today. It had been mistyped from another client invoice and was corrected today,” Datwyler said in an email. As of Tuesday afternoon, no updated filings had been made with the FEC. ***(Editor's note: Updated FEC reports listing Conservative Action Group's address in Casper, Wyoming were filed on Wednesday morning.)*** Defending Conservative Values is running AI-generated ads online and on social media hammering Moore as "Salt Lake Blake." One spot, [titled "Lullaby,"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=%5FfnQxvCxvm0&ref=utahpolitics.news) recycles footage of [Moore falling asleep](https://utahpolitics.news/rep-blake-moore-fights-for-trumps-tax-cuts-then-fights-to-stay-awake-in-marathon-hearing/) during a marathon House Ways and Means Committee hearing last year. There's also a [radio ad](https://soundcloud.com/dcvpac/salt-lake-blake%5F30%5Fv2?utm%5Fsource=clipboard&utm%5Fmedium=text&utm%5Fcampaign=social%5Fsharing) featuring an original song by the same name. The attack on Moore's residency tracks closely with the primary challenge Moore is facing from Karianne Lisonbee. Lisonbee has also [targeted Moore over his role](https://utahpolitics.news/karianne-lisonbee-challenges-blake-moore-in-2nd-congressional-district-redistricting-rumble/) supporting the original Prop. 4 in 2018, the ballot initiative that created an independent redistricting commission. The GOP-controlled Legislature repealed Prop. 4 in 2020, a move a judge ruled unconstitutional last year. That ruling also invalidated the congressional map drawn by lawmakers in 2021, producing the new congressional map that created a Democratic-leaning district in Salt Lake County. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Down 10 in his own poll, Nate Blouin calls on Democratic rivals to throw their support behind him URL: https://utahpolitics.news/blouin-poll-trails-mcadams-ut01-democratic-primary/ Last updated: 2026-06-01T17:06:18.000Z With three weeks until Utah’s 1st Congressional District Democratic primary, Nate Blouin is down by double digits to Ben McAdams in a poll his campaign paid for. He’s using those numbers to argue the other progressives should fall in behind him. The survey shows McAdams with 37% support (36% hard support + 1% lean), followed by Blouin with 27% (26% +1%), Liban Mohamed with 12%, and Michael Farrell with 7%. Seventeen percent are undecided. Those numbers are [basically unchanged from March](https://utahpolitics.news/poll-mcadams-leads-democratic-field-in-1st-district-race/), when McAdams was at 36% and Blouin at 23%. Blouin’s pitch is this: If Mohamed and Farrell, the other progressive candidates, stay in the race, they’ll split the vote and hand the nomination to the more centrist McAdams. “It's going to be hard for anyone else to win enough support to actually move forward, whereas it would just take a pretty small margin of their voters to come to our side to get me across the line,” Blouin said at a press conference Monday morning. Last week, Blouin said if the poll didn’t show him with the most support among the three progressive candidates, he would drop out of the race to consolidate support and defeat McAdams. Mohamed and Farrell rejected that call. Ballots have already been printed and start hitting mailboxes this week, meaning it’s too late for anyone to drop out, even if they wanted to. Blouin and his supporters have shifted to urging voters who favor Mohamed or Farrell to instead get behind Blouin to stop McAdams from winning. “If it's not a vote for Nate, it's a vote for Ben” Salt Lake County Councilmember Natalie Pinkney said Monday. The other progressives aren’t buying it. “I’m not surprised that Nate came out second in a poll funded by him with questions he drafted,” Farrell said in a text message. “People know Nate, and his support is capped around 25-27%.” Mohamed pointed to his win over McAdams at the Democratic convention as the best gauge for who can beat McAdams. “The only district-wide democratic contest that has tested who can unite progressives and defeat Ben McAdams remains the Utah Democratic Convention, and we won it with a majority,” Mohamed said. “I will not abandon the thousands of people who organized, participated, and earned that victory. Doing so would undermine not only the movement we have built together, but the very democratic process that brought us here.” McAdams’ campaign declined comment. The poll also shows a big name ID gap. 92% of likely Democratic primary voters have heard of McAdams, versus 74% for Blouin—an 18-point recognition gap. Mohamed is at 60%, and Farrell is at 55%. Favorability ratings tell a similar story. McAdams is +34 (55% favorable, 21% unfavorable). Blouin is +28 (40/12). Mohamed is +23 (29/7). Farrell is +15 (21/6). The survey was conducted by Upswing Research and Strategy among 402 likely Democratic primary voters from May 27-29 with a margin of error of ±4.9%. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Video: Nate Blouin is not playing it safe URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/video-nate-blouin-is-not-playing-it-safe/ Last updated: 2026-05-29T21:28:35.000Z Utah State Senator Nate Blouin is betting his congressional campaign on the argument that he's the only progressive in the Democratic CD1 primary built to actually win. In our interview, Blouin talks about his campaign commissioning an independent poll of the three-way progressive split in the race between himself, Liban Mohamed, and Michael Farrell, and his pledge to drop out if the results show he's not the strongest candidate against Ben McAdams. Blouin argues with three progressives on the ballot, dividing the vote is a gift to the moderate wing of the party. Blouin also pushed back on last month's convention results, where Mohamed narrowly edged McAdams for the top spot, suggesting the delegate process is too small a sample to settle the question of who can actually win a primary. "Convention is a small swath of the electorate," he said, noting his campaign used grassroots organizing to collect the 7,000 petition signatures to qualify for the ballot. Blouin frames the race less as a left-versus-center fight than a top-versus-bottom one and says that pitch will resonate with independent voters who make up the largest single bloc in the redrawn district. He pointed to the Stratos data center controversy in Box Elder County as the kind of issue that cuts across traditional ideological lines, calling for a national moratorium on data center development and attacking what he described as the corruption built into MIDA's ability to fast-track projects around local oversight. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Conflict-of-interest flap leads to last-minute moderator swap in Utah GOP primary debates URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-gop-debate-moderator-swap-conflict-of-interest/ Last updated: 2026-05-29T20:40:06.000Z Utah’s newly retooled [university-run debate series](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-congressional-primary-debates-2026/) hit its first speed bump, prompting a last-minute moderator swap for two Republican congressional primary debates [set for Monday](https://utahdebatecommission.org/schedule/?ref=utahpolitics.news). [Natalie Gochnour](https://eccles.utah.edu/team/natalie-gochnour/?ref=utahpolitics.news), director of the [University of Utah’s Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute](https://gardner.utah.edu/?ref=utahpolitics.news), had been slated to moderate the 2nd District Republican primary between Rep. Blake Moore and state Rep. Karianne Lisonbee on Monday evening. Former journalist Glen Mills, originally assigned to the 3rd District Republican debate between Rep. Celeste Maloy and Phil Lyman, will now handle Moore–Lisonbee. A Hinckley Institute of Politics spokesperson, which oversees the debates with Utah Valley University’s Herbert Institute, said the shuffle was necessary because Gochnour had a scheduling conflict. Former Utah GOP chair Thomas Wright is now set to moderate the Monday afternoon event. But sources with knowledge tell Utah Political Watch that Lisonbee’s campaign objected to Gochnour because the Boyer Company is a major Gardner Institute sponsor. Moore is married to Jane Boyer. Her father, [Roger Boyer, founded and is chairman](https://boyer.com/roger-boyer/?ref=utahpolitics.news) of the Boyer Company. Last year, the Republican-controlled Legislature rejected a funding request from the independent Utah Debate Commission and instead appropriated $600,000 to shift responsibility to the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute and Utah Valley University’s Herbert Institute. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Video: McAdams needed to not lose Wednesday's CD1 debate. He didn't. URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/utah-cd1-democratic-primary-debate-2026-breakdown/ Last updated: 2026-05-28T23:31:28.000Z The four Democrats running for Utah's new First Congressional District seat shared the debate stage Wednesday night for the first—and only—televised face-off before the June 23rd primary. The verdict: Ben McAdams came in as the frontrunner and left as the frontrunner. McAdams didn't need to win the debate. He needed not to lose it. His three rivals, state Senator Nate Blouin, Liban Mohamed and Michael Farrell, all arrived with two jobs: make the case against McAdams and separate themselves from each other. All three are chasing the same pool of progressive voters, and none of them had the breakout moment needed to consolidate that lane and emerge as a genuine threat to McAdams. There was plenty of action on stage with attacks over healthcare, data center ties and Blouin's well-documented record of zero bills passed in the Utah Legislature. And after the cameras stopped rolling, Mohamed leveled a striking accusation at Blouin over his call for progressives to drop out of the race—a moment that, notably, didn't make it into the debate livestream. Ballots start hitting mailboxes next week, and this was the last televised moment for any of these candidates to make their closing argument. With four people on the ballot, the winner could take this with 30–35% of the vote. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### The Hater's Guide to Utah's primary election debates URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-congressional-primary-debates-2026/ Last updated: 2026-05-27T16:28:13.000Z Three debates. Five days. Zero guarantee that anything interesting happens. Welcome to Utah's 2026 congressional primary debate season. This is not a debate preview for people who think debates are a sacred civic institution. It's for everyone else: the people who watch these things waiting for someone to say something real, knowing the format is designed to prevent exactly that. Buckle up. ### First, a word about who's running this circus [The Utah Debate Commission](https://utahdebatecommission.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news) was established in 2013 as a first-of-its-kind statewide organization built on a simple premise: political debates should be run by an independent body. It brought together bipartisan political leaders, media organizations, and higher education partners to organize and televise high-profile debates. Some of the funding came from the Utah Legislature, but the organization remained independent. Note the past tense. In 2025, the GOP-controlled Utah Legislature decided they were done paying for debates they couldn't control. A bill to create a [state-funded 11-person debate committee](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-republicans-move-to-seize-control-of-election-debates-from-independent-commission-2/) packed with political appointees got killed in committee, so legislative leadership did what legislative leaders do when they can't get what they want through the front door. They [appropriated $600,000 for a debate committee](https://utahpolitics.news/legislative-leaders-push-debate-takeover-plan-using-budget-loophole/) in the budget, then used intent language to create the committee and define its authority anyway. The new entity is housed at the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics and is entirely dependent on state lawmakers for its continued existence. That's not independence, it's a leash with better branding. > The Utah Debate Commission has a new home! The [@hinckleyinst](https://twitter.com/hinckleyinst?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) at [@UUtah](https://twitter.com/UUtah?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) is honored to continue the Commission's mission of providing voters with independent, nonpartisan debates. [pic.twitter.com/Eo9i64aWPk](https://t.co/Eo9i64aWPk?ref=utahpolitics.news) > > — Utah Debate Commission (@UtahDebateCom) [May 21, 2026](https://twitter.com/UtahDebateCom/status/2057580095628509688?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) The context matters because Republicans have a history of throwing tantrums about debate formats they don't like. In 2022, several Republican candidates refused to participate in pre-primary debates after GOP leaders demanded to help select the moderators and choose which topics would be discussed. That same year, Rep. Burgess Owens pulled out of a general election debate hours before it started because he didn't like the moderator. These are the people who now control the process. Keep that in mind. ### CD1 Democratic primary: McAdams vs. everyone The four-way Democratic primary in Utah’s brand new First Congressional District is genuinely interesting, which is not something you get to say about Utah Democratic primaries very often. Ben McAdams is clearly the frontrunner: former congressman, known quantity, most name recognition. His campaign is built on an electability argument. He flipped a solidly Republican district when he was first elected in 2018. Standing between him and the nomination are three progressives: Nate Blouin, Liban Mohamed and Michael Farrell. All three are running to his left. All three are competing for the same pool of voters. All three are united by a shared interest in stopping McAdams that is somewhat undermined by their equally strong interest in stopping each other. **What the three progressives will do:** Attack McAdams on his record. Specifically, the votes he cast as a congressman from a Republican-leaning district will look, to a 2026 Democratic primary voter in a [D+12 Cook-rated district](https://www.cookpolitical.com/house/race/485411?ref=utahpolitics.news), uncomfortably cozy with the other side. The new CD1 would have gone for Kamala Harris by more than 20 points. McAdams' old voting record was calibrated for a very different electorate. Expect some version of "he voted with Republicans" delivered multiple times during the debate. They'll also try to kneecap his electability argument before he can use it. A district rated D+14 doesn't need a moderate to win, it needs a candidate who actually excites Democratic base voters. Nominating a milquetoast centrist, the argument goes, is how you turn a winnable race into a disappointing turnout exercise. The problem for Blouin, Mohamed and Farrell is they are making basically the same argument to the same voters. Wednesday’s debate is actually two simultaneous competitions: each of them against McAdams and each of them against each other. If one of them breaks out, that's bad news for the other two. If all three are busy drawing contrasts with each other, McAdams has a very pleasant evening. **What McAdams will do:** Stay calm, lean on his experience, and make every answer about November. He doesn’t need to win the debate; he just needs not to lose it. His best posture is the patient frontrunner who respects his opponents. The only way he loses tonight is if he gets dragged into a three-on-one brawl. **Bottom line:** McAdams is the favorite walking in and should be the favorite walking out. The only scenario that changes the race is if one of the progressives has a genuine breakout moment, and the format makes that harder than it should be. The three progressives need a format that forces confrontation. Instead, the format rewards composure and name recognition. McAdams' team should be perfectly happy with these rules. ### About that format Let’s talk about the debate format, because it deserves its own special section of contempt. When the Hinckley Institute took over the debates, they had the opportunity to revamp the format and improve the end product. Instead of innovating, they just decided to copy/paste the same tired rules that were already in place. The debate runs 56 minutes because it’s on live television. The four candidates get one minute to answer each question with rebuttals and follow-ups at the moderator’s discretion, capped at 30 seconds. One minute each for closing statements. Run the math, and each candidate ends up with roughly 11 to 12 minutes of total speaking time. Here’s what that format actually means in practice: **One minute is not enough time to prosecute a case.** Landing a real attack on McAdams voting record takes more than 60 seconds. There’s no time for context or showing receipts. Without room to develop the argument, punches land as pithy sound bites and slogans. McAdams, as the known quantity, benefits enormously from these kinds of shallow exchanges. He doesn’t need to explain himself. The challengers do. **No sustained back and forth means no accountability.** The 30-second rebuttal exists, but it’s at the moderator’s discretion, meaning it may or may not be used. When it is, half a minute isn’t enough time to respond to anything substantive. A candidate can dodge a direct question, wait out the clock, and move on. The format practically encourages that. **The rotating answer order kills any sort of rhythm.** Whoever answers last on a given question gets a mild advantage of framing, but with one-minute limits and no crosstalk, the first three answers are essentially forgotten by the time the fourth candidate finishes. And then there are the student questions. One or two questions in tonight's debate will come from university students. There's something genuinely admirable about that instinct — get young people engaged, give them a voice, treat them as stakeholders in races that will shape their future. As a civic gesture, it's understandable. In practice, it's a little stupid. Student questions at forums like this tend to suffer from the same predictable problems: they’re either hyper-specific hobby-horse questions that derail the flow of the debate entirely, or they’re broad and earnest (“What will you do for the future of our generation?”) that gives every candidate the cue to pivot to their stump speech. Either way, the debate loses momentum. The format already has a pacing problem. Dropping in one or two questions from the audience mid-debate more often than not exacerbates the problem. ## CD3: Celeste Maloy vs. Phil Lyman ### Monday This one might be worth watching. On one side: Rep. Celeste Maloy, the incumbent. She’s a soil conservationist turned attorney turned congresswoman. She came into the 2026 cycle with nearly half a million dollars in the bank and the kind of Washington relationships that take years to build. Somehow this is her third election, but she still hasn't completed a full term in office. On the other side: Phil Lyman, who has turned losing elections into a cottage industry. He lost the 2024 governor's race to Spencer Cox, refused to accept the results, launched a multifront legal challenge, and then pivoted to running for Congress. Apparently if you can't beat the system, you run against it forever until something gives. The delegates at April’s state convention were almost perfectly split, with Maloy squeaking out 51%. **What Lyman will do:** Lyman has one gear, and he rides it hard. He’s the disruptor, the anti-establishment truth-teller, the guy who says what the party’s activist base is thinking but what elected officials are reluctant to say out loud. Expect him to hammer Maloy on transparency for being too cozy with House leadership and on whatever he believes is evidence of institutional corruption. His worldview has gotten increasingly baroque, including his recent suggestion that Trump’s Iran policy has been “hijacked” by deep-state actors in the president’s own Cabinet. To his credit, he says these things with total sincerity. He actually believes this stuff, which could make him oddly compelling on a debate stage. **What Maloy will do:** Play the competence card. She has the money, the endorsements, influential committee assignments, and the institutional knowledge. Her argument is a simple one: I’m actually doing the job. Expect her to try to make Lyman look like a chaos agent who would be more interested in investigating conspiracy theories than passing legislation. Her hurdle is making that case without sounding like she’s defending a system that a good chunk of her own primary voters already distrust. **The real problem for Maloy:** The new CD3 map is brutal for her. Nearly 600,000 of her likely 2026 voters have never seen her on a ballot. Lyman, by contrast, won multiple counties now inside CD3 during the 2024 governor's race. She's not the hometown favorite she used to be. **Bottom line:** Lyman is underfunded, increasingly conspiratorial, and running on vibes and grievance. He also nearly won the convention, is running in a new district that could be more favorable to him, and has absolutely nothing to lose on a debate stage. This one could get messy. ## CD2: Blake Moore vs. Karianne Lisonbee ### Monday Here's your establishment-vs.-MAGA rematch, Utah-style, except in this version, the establishment guy is the fifth-ranking Republican in the entire U.S. House of Representatives who has been endorsed in previous elections by President Trump. Blake Moore walked into the April GOP convention as one of the most powerful Republicans in Congress, touted his role in Trump's tax cuts, and received 33.7% of the delegate vote. His challenger, state Rep. Karianne Lisonbee, who had been in the race for all of about six weeks, got 61.5%. Moore survived only because he collected signatures. Lisonbee's attack is straightforward: Moore helped launch the redistricting commission that ultimately gave Utah a Democratic-leaning congressional district for the first time in decades. In a Republican primary in 2026, that's about as damaging as accusations get. She's been calling him a traitor to Utah Republicans, and delegates ate it up. Moore heads into the debate with $2.4 million on hand. Lisonbee has roughly $150,000—a 16-to-1 money disadvantage. That’s why she demanded five debates across the district, which Moore ignored. **What Lisonbee will do:** Hit redistricting relentlessly. She has one weapon, and it's a good one. Moore's fingerprints are on the process that created the map that created a Democratic seat, and no amount of explaining the nuances of bipartisan redistricting commissions is going to land well with Republican primary voters who are furious about it. Expect her to also go after his leadership position, arguing that being in House leadership has made him part of the problem, not part of the solution. **What Moore will do:** Try to make this race about competence, clout, and results. He was in the room when the big bills passed. He has relationships that translate to real outcomes for Utah. Losing him means starting over as a freshman with no influence. He'll lean on Trump's endorsement and dare Lisonbee to explain what she'd actually accomplish as a backbencher with a grudge. **Moore has been here before:** He’s 0-for-3 at convention, but 3-for-3 in primaries, so he knows how to survive. **Bottom line:** On paper, Moore wins easily. Last week he released internal polling showing him with a massive advantage over Lisonbee. Moore just needs to not lose the debate. Lisonbee needs to win it. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### ### Podcast: Liban Mohamed is not here for the status quo URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/liban-mohamed-utah-cd1-democratic-primary-2026-special-session/ Last updated: 2026-05-26T19:49:56.000Z Liban Mohamed is 27 years old, the son of Somali immigrants—and he's running for Congress in Utah's 1st Congressional District. Last month Mohamed walked out of the Utah Democratic State Convention with 51% of the vote, defeating former Congressman Ben McAdams in the final round. It wasn't supposed to go that way. But in a district that's been overhauled after a court order turned it from a Republican stronghold into a Democratic-leaning seat, the old rules may not apply. In the latest episode of "Special Session," we sat down with Mohamed to talk about all of it: his policy agenda centered on healthcare, housing, and childcare; his call for a full prohibition on hyperscale data centers in water-stressed areas; and what it's been like to run a campaign that's been the subject of Islamophobic attacks since he posted his campaign announcement video. Subscribe to Special Session [at this link](https://share.transistor.fm/s/2f3dce24?ref=utahpolitics.news) or wherever you get your podcasts. ### Operation Gigawatt Summit sponsors gave $400K to Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and GOP leaders since 2022 URL: https://utahpolitics.news/operation-gigawatt-summit-sponsors-donations-spencer-cox-utah-republicans/ Last updated: 2026-05-19T14:04:30.000Z At least nine sponsors of Utah Gov. Spencer Cox’s [Operation Gigawatt Summit](https://www.gigawattsummit.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) in Park City have also poured more than $400,000 into the campaign accounts and PACs of Cox and other top Utah Republicans since 2022, including three separate $50,000 checks to Cox from the summit’s top-billed sponsor. The summit, scheduled for Friday in Park City, is built around Cox’s signature energy initiative, which aims to double Utah's electrical generating capacity to roughly 20 gigawatts by 2035\. Speakers include federal agency leaders, Trump administration officials, members of Utah's congressional delegation, and energy industry executives. Operation Gigawatt, if it succeeds, would accelerate permitting, expand transmission infrastructure, and reshape the regulatory landscape for energy production in Utah. The summit’s sponsors include nuclear operators, renewable energy developers, natural gas companies, and technology firms, all of whom stand to gain from the rapid growth energy agenda the event will advance. Utah Political Watch analyzed campaign finance disclosures for Cox, Senate President Stuart Adams, and House Speaker Mike Schultz, all of whom are scheduled to speak, along with four political action committees they control: the Adams Leadership PAC, the House Speaker's Leadership PAC, the Utah House Republican Election Committee, and the Utah Republican Senate Campaign Committee. Sponsors of the summit have donated more than $407,000 to those committees and campaigns since 2023\. Cox Alone took in $226,041 of that. The largest single donor to Cox among summit sponsors is Torus, a Lehi-based battery and energy storage company. Torus cut Cox three $50,000 checks—in 2022, 2024, and 2025\. Torus is one of two top-billed "Executive Partner" sponsors of Friday's event, and founder and CEO Nate Walkingshaw is slated to speak during a morning session. EnergySolutions, the nuclear waste disposal company, has given the most among sponsors, nearly $175,000 to all seven committees since 2023. Just six weeks before Cox publicly launched Operation Gigawatt, Energy Solutions dropped $50,000 into the Utah Republican Senate Campaign Committee and another $50,000 into the Utah House Republican Election Committee on the same day. The company’s total giving since 2023 breaks down as follows. - $70,750 to the Utah Republican Senate Campaign Committee, including the $50,000 Sept. 6 check - $68,500 to the Utah House Republican Campaign Committee, including the $50,000 Sept. 6 check - $15,000 to the House speaker’s leadership PAC - $2,000 to the Adams Leadership PAC. - Direct contributions of $7,500 to Cox, $7,000 to Adams, and $5,700 to Schultz EnergySolutions Chief Projects Officer Jeff Richardson is a featured speaker at Friday’s summit. Chevron has contributed $32,750 since 2023, including $27,500 directly to Cox’s campaign. The oil giant has donated to Cox every year since 2020. PacifiCorp isn't on the summit's sponsor list, but the company's president, Dick Garlish, is listed as one of the event's speakers. The company’s president, Dick Garlish, is one of the event’s speakers. PacifiCorp has given $201,500 to Cox and the six other Republican campaign accounts since 2022, making it the second-largest energy donor in Utah Political Watch’s analysis. - Cox has received $62,500 of that directly in five donations ranging from $10,000 to $15,000\. The company also donated $7,500 to Adams and $2,000 to Schultz. - The Utah House Republican Election Committee received nine donations totaling $53,500. - PacifiCorp donated $42,500 to the Utah Republican Senate Campaign Committee. - The company made five donations totaling $18,500 to the House Speaker's Leadership PAC and $15,000 to the Adams Leadership PAC. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### The three reasons John Curtis is almost certain to run for governor in 2028 URL: https://utahpolitics.news/john-curtis-utah-governor-2028/ Last updated: 2026-05-14T17:39:14.000Z News that Sen. John Curtis is weighing a 2028 run for governor landed like a grenade in Utah politics this week. [Politico reported](https://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/11/sen-john-curtis-exploring-2028-run-for-utah-governor-00913981?ref=utahpolitics.news) that Curtis’s allies are working to assess how much support there would be for a possible run and asking potential donors to refrain from donating to other candidates until he makes up his mind. The conditions for a Curtis gubernatorial campaign in 2028 are extremely favorable. Here are three reasons he probably pulls the trigger. ### It’s essentially a free roll Curtis doesn't face Senate re-election until 2030\. That means a 2028 gubernatorial run costs him nothing; if he loses, he just returns to Washington. If he wins, he trades the Beltway for the governor’s mansion. Senators run for governor all the time because it’s a low-risk move when the calendar lines up. Sen. Frank Murkowski left for Alaska’s governorship in 2002\. Sen. John Corzine did the same in New Jersey in 2005\. Sen. Pete Wilson jumped to California’s governor’s office in 1990\. Sen. David Vitter tried and failed in Louisiana in 2015, then finished out his term. ### His wallet won’t be the problem During Curtis's 2024 Senate campaign, the Conservative Values for Utah super PAC dumped more than $5.3 million into the GOP primary to boost his candidacy. Nearly all of that money came from North Carolina billionaire Jay Faison, a prominent Republican donor who pushes a conservative, market-based approach to climate and clean energy. Curtis and Faison have a long relationship. Curtis founded the Conservative Climate Caucus in 2021 while still in the House, with Faison's organization, Clear Path Action, providing much of the research and organizational muscle. In the 2024 race, Faison's network spent heavily on advertising to counter attacks branding Curtis as "too liberal" on environmental issues, giving Curtis political cover with Republican primary voters skeptical that he was too liberal on environmental issues. Translation: Curtis already has a billionaire donor with a thick checkbook who aligns with him on climate policy. Utah’s almost comically lax campaign finance laws would not be a hurdle for Faison to support Curtis in 2028\. Unlike federal elections, Utah imposes no limits on how much individuals or organizations can donate to a candidate, or spend independently on their behalf. Curtis can also transfer money directly from his federal campaign account or his "Sock It To 'Em" leadership PAC to a state campaign, again without limits. The last time Utah had an open seat for governor, four Republican primary candidates combined to spend more than $6 million, with PACs and independent expenditures adding another $2 million on top. With Faison's support and no legal ceiling on spending, Curtis could easily dwarf that number. ### He’s already a frontrunner in a crowded field The likely 2028 field is shaping up to be a crowded one. Former congressman and current Fox News personality Jason Chaffetz, House Speaker Mike Schultz, Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, Rep. Blake Moore, Traeger Grills CEO Jeremy Andrus and entrepreneur Brad Bonham are all reportedly eyeing the race. Curtis arguably enters with a higher profile than most, if not all, of the other potential candidates. [A poll from late last year](https://utahpolitics.news/poll-curtis-finds-broader-partisan-appeal-than-cox-lee/) showed him with a net approval rating of plus-26, with 51% of Utah voters approving of his job performance against 25% disapproval. Those are better numbers than Gov. Spencer Cox (plus-20) and Sen. Mike Lee (plus-13) from the same survey. In a crowded primary where most voters are making decisions based on name recognition, that kind of head start is enormous. Right now, Chaffetz is the most credible challenger. He flirted with a gubernatorial run in 2020 and 2024\. This time he appears to mean it. [He transferred the entire balance](https://utahpolitics.news/is-jason-chaffetz-eyeing-utahs-governors-mansion-113k-money-move-raises-questions/) of his federal American Victory political action committee to a state-level Utah Victory PAC last year and has built a war chest of more than $400,000\. His Fox News perch and podcast have kept him relevant and part of the political conversation. There’s a history of Fox News personalities running for political office with mixed results. The best example is John Kasich, who left Congress, hosted a program on Fox News from 2001 to 2007, then returned to Ohio to win the governorship in 2010. Chaffetz is well positioned to try the same politics-to-Fox-to-politics pathway. Schultz, meanwhile, faces a more brutal reality. If Schultz wants to be a serious candidate in 2028, he has a much tougher road ahead of him. Despite holding one of the most powerful positions in Utah politics, most voters have no idea who he is. Despite holding one of the most powerful positions in state politics as House speaker, most Utah voters don't know who he is. [A Noble Predictive Insights poll ](https://utahpolitics.news/the-two-utah-republican-parties-why-convention-delegates-and-gop-voters-disagree-on-spencer-cox/)from last year found him at a net approval of just plus-6, with 32% viewing his performance favorably. But nearly half of respondents said they either had no idea who he was (14%) or didn't know enough to judge (28%). Schultz has been trying to fix that. The Utah House has been [paying Northbound Strategies $6,000 per month](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-taxpayers-shell-out-6k-monthly-for-house-speakers-videos-nobody-watches/) in taxpayer funds to produce videos of him explaining his policy priorities. The results have been, to put it charitably, underwhelming. [Northbound's YouTube page](https://www.youtube.com/@NorthboundUtah/videos?ref=utahpolitics.news) currently hosts 24 videos featuring Schultz that have collectively racked up fewer than 400 total views. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Podcast: We know a trial balloon when we see one URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/john-curtis-utah-governor-race-box-elder-data-center-special-session/ Last updated: 2026-05-13T22:04:58.000Z The 2028 Utah governor's race hasn't officially started, and it's already eating up a lot of attention in Utah politics. On this episode of Special Session with Bryan Schott, Bryan breaks down why [Sen. John Curtis' interest in the governor's race](https://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/11/sen-john-curtis-exploring-2028-run-for-utah-governor-00913981?ref=utahpolitics.news) could massively change the dynamics of a contest that won't happen for two years. We know a trial balloon when we see one. We also get into the escalating controversy around the massive data center in Box Elder County, where Kevin O'Leary has gone from pitching a vision to calling protesters Chinese agents and showing up on CNN in a ridiculous hat. Something isn't adding up about this project. Plus, a state school board candidate who won his Republican nomination [dropped out of the race](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-school-board-gop-nominee-quits-sabotage-allegations-salt-lake-county/) because he got blocked from tagging the Salt Lake County GOP on Facebook. Seriously. Subscribe to Special Session with Bryan Schott [at this link](https://special-session.transistor.fm/s1/59?ref=utahpolitics.news) or wherever you get your podcasts. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Utah GOP school board nominee quits race after dust-up with party officials over Facebook access URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-school-board-gop-nominee-quits-sabotage-allegations-salt-lake-county/ Last updated: 2026-05-12T14:35:59.000Z A Republican nominee for the Utah State Board of Education just dropped out and accused his own party of trying to sandbag his campaign. Party leaders say he’s confusing "sabotage" with a social media timeout. Michael Clara announced on Facebook last week that he was leaving the District 5 race, a month after winning the GOP nomination. He said Salt Lake County GOP Chair Mike Carey had restricted his access to party information and told him he faced a pending party ethics complaint. “We were at the point of announcing a couple of fundraising events,” Clara wrote. “I could not in good conscience move forward knowing that my own political party was laying a snare to sabotage my campaign.” He added that after he called out Carey, he was told “the restriction \[would\] remain in place,” and that he was told there is a “pending GOP ethics complaint. Clara posted a screenshot of an email from Carey as evidence. “When you spend more time trolling the party FB page or many volunteers with half-truths and slanderous claims,” Carey wrote, “you shouldn’t be surprised by removal or a referral to the Ethics Committee.” Carey told Utah Political Watch that Clara was not blocked from party resources. He said Clara had a login issue with the county system that was resolved. The email Clara posted, Carey said, was about Facebook access, not party resources. Clara had tried to post on the county party’s page but was blocked because he had repeatedly attacked party leadership on social media, Carey said. “Considering we don’t use the party page for any business other than announcing events already on our calendar, he was basically put in timeout,” Carey said. Carey declined to say whether an ethics complaint is pending against Clara. Clara previously served one term on the Salt Lake City Board of Education. In 2019, he was charged with seven felonies after he fired a gun at a stolen vehicle that struck his car and drove off. One of the bullets struck another vehicle, narrowly missing a young girl inside. A judge dismissed those charges in 2022 after lawmakers changed Utah’s self-defense law in 2021. Clara became a close ally of former Rep. Phil Lyman after Lyman lost to Gov. Spencer Cox in the 2024 Republican primary. He has repeatedly amplified Lyman’s claims that Cox did not legitimately qualify for the ballot through signature gathering. Clara had been set to challenge incumbent Democrat Sarah Reale. Under state law, the Salt Lake County GOP’s central committee can choose a replacement. Carey said the party has started that process. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Stuart Adams' PAC raked in $135,000 from MIDA-connected donors days after approving controversial data center URL: https://utahpolitics.news/stuart-adams-pac-mida-donors-data-center-approval/ Last updated: 2026-05-06T20:40:22.000Z Seven days after a powerful state authority chaired by Utah Senate President Stuart Adams signed off on a controversial 40,000-acre data center in northern Utah, five companies and individuals with business before that same authority dropped $135,000 into his political action committee all on the same day. The donations, all dated May 1, came from entities tied to projects overseen by the [Military Installation Development Authority](https://www.midaut.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news) (MIDA), the powerful state agency Adams leads. They are the five largest contributions the Adams Leadership PAC has reported in its six-year history. Together, the checks nearly doubled the PAC's existing cash on hand. MIDA wields enormous power, overseeing redevelopment on military property, and can issue bonds, approve development agreements, and steer hundreds of millions in public financing into private projects. At the same time, Adams is fighting for his political life in the most competitive re-election campaign of his career. On April 24, MIDA’s board, chaired by Adams, approved a 40,000-acre hyperscale data center campus and natural gas power plant in northern Utah backed by Kevin O'Leary, the Canadian venture capitalist and "Shark Tank" television personality. The approval came amid significant public opposition, with critics raising concerns about water usage, environmental impact, and the wisdom of directing public resources toward the project. Seven days later, five entities with MIDA‑connected projects wrote those record checks. There is no evidence that the O’Leary project approval and the donations are directly connected. None of the five donors appears tied to the O’Leary deal specifically. But the timing of five MIDA-connected entities dropping the largest checks in the PAC’s history a week after a high-profile approval demands scrutiny ### The donors and their MIDA ties - **Jacobsen Construction Company**: $40,000\. Lead general contractor on several MIDA flagship projects, including the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley and Deer Valley’s East Village expansion. - **Clawson General Contracting**: $25,000\. Headed by CEO Brandon Clawson; involved in the Deer Valley East Village build and frequently used on MIDA infrastructure work. - **Tyler and Jennifer Aldous**: $25,000\. Tyler Aldous is managing director of SkyRidge Development, a residential and recreation project on the north shore of Jordanelle Reservoir in MIDA’s Wasatch County Project Area. [He also sits on the board](https://www.midaut.org/board-members?ref=utahpolitics.news#:~:text=MIDA%20Golf%20and%20Equestrian%20Center%20Public%20Infrastructure%20District%20%28GAEC%20PID%29%2A) of the MIDA Golf and Equestrian Center Public Infrastructure District (PID). - **Gershon (Gary) and Ayala Barnett:** $25,000\. Gary Barnett runs Extell Development Company, the primary private‑sector partner on MIDA’s massive Military Recreation Facility project area, which includes the expanded Deer Valley Resort. - **Copper Key Electrical Solutions:** $20,000\. Also led by Brandon Clawson; performed electrical contracting for the Deer Valley East Village project. Together, the five donations nearly doubled the $135,000 the PAC already had on hand as of April 13, according to the latest financial disclosures. Adams is currently in the middle of the toughest reelection fight of his career He’s seeking a fifth term in the Utah Senate, with Republican rivals Stephanie Hollist and Braden Hess forcing him into his first-ever primary election next month. When it became clear in January that a primary was coming, the Adams Leadership PAC transferred $45,000 to his campaign, the single largest donation the PAC has ever made to any candidate. Now the PAC’s war chest has been nearly doubled in size by donors with businesses before the authority Adams runs. Adams chaired MIDA throughout the period when several of the May 1 donors’ projects were approved. That means the same person who oversees decisions impacting those companies' bottom lines is now collecting the largest donations in his PAC’s history from those companies. If Adams transfers more PAC funds to his campaign before the primary, Utah law does not prohibit it. MIDA‑connected donors will have effectively underwritten his political survival. Utah Political Watch reached out to Adams seeking comment on the donations, the timing, and whether he intends to make additional transfers from the PAC to his campaign. This story will be updated with any response. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Utah House battlefield shrinks as cash crunch squeezes challengers URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-house-battlefield-shrinks-as-cash-crunch-squeezes-challengers/ Last updated: 2026-05-05T19:51:39.000Z With convention wrapped and financial disclosures in, our [Utah House Race Ratings](https://utahpolitics.news/2026-utah-house-ratings/) have shifted. Several Republicans walked out of conventions unopposed in a handful of districts, and lopsided bank accounts have pushed several potential toss-ups off the board. ### **Five uncontested races** HD36, HD57, HD60, HD65, and HD19 will have no opposition on the November ballot. HD36 moves from Lean Republican to Safe Republican with incumbent GOP Rep. Jim Dunnigan unopposed. ****The full updated Utah House ratings, including Utah Competitiveness Index scores and historical results, are available to Utah Political Watch annual subscribers.** _This post is for subscribers on the SUPPORTER ANNUAL and SUSTAINER ANNUAL tiers only._ ### Money talks: Utah Political Watch updates two Senate ratings URL: https://utahpolitics.news/money-talks-utah-political-watch-updates-two-senate-ratings/ Last updated: 2026-05-04T19:41:41.000Z Utah Political Watch is updating two 2026 Utah Senate race ratings after new campaign finance disclosures showed lopsided money races in several potentially competitive districts. The pattern across most of the 2026 Senate contests is clear: Republican nominees have built significant cash advantages over their Democratic opponents. In SD23, Republican Keith Grover holds a 109-to-1 cash-on-hand advantage. In SD28, incumbent Evan Vickers’ edge is 408-1\. Those gaps reinforce the current ratings and require no changes. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.21-Legislative-tracker-CTA.jpg)](https://utahpolitics.news/2026-utah-candidate-tracker/) [2026 Legislative Candidate Tracker ](https://utahpolitics.news/2026-utah-candidate-tracker/) **The full updated Senate ratings, including the Utah Competitiveness Index scores and historical election data for every district, are available to Utah Political Watch annual subscribers.** _This post is for subscribers on the SUPPORTER ANNUAL and SUSTAINER ANNUAL tiers only._ ### Karianne Lisonbee challenges Blake Moore to multiple debates. Moore has little reason to show up URL: https://utahpolitics.news/karianne-lisonbee-challenges-blake-moore-to-multiple-debates-moore-has-little-reason-to-show-up/ Last updated: 2026-05-01T19:21:25.000Z Karianne Lisonbee beat Blake Moore at [Saturday's Utah Republican convention](https://utahpolitics.news/live-coverage-utah-gop-convention/), but she's still a decided underdog in the 2nd Congressional District primary race. Moore, a three-term congressman and House GOP leadership team member, heads into the June 23 primary with $2.4 million in his campaign account. Lisonbee has roughly $150,000, a 16-to-1 margin. So Lisonbee is doing what long-shot challengers do: she's demanding debates. Five of them, one in each county of Utah's 2nd Congressional District, on top of a televised face-off already scheduled for June 1. "Republican primary voters deserve healthy debates and a side-by-side contrast before casting their votes in June," Lisonbee said in a news release. Moore's campaign did not respond to a request for comment. For a favored incumbent, multiple debates are high risk with little reward. Sharing a stage elevates her status, opens him up to direct attacks, and creates five more opportunities for an unforced error in front of a live audience. His massive cash advantage means Moore can flood TV and social media with targeted ads while staying on script. Lisonbee’s gambit isn’t new. In 2023, Celeste Maloy challenged Becky Edwards and Bruce Hough to 13 debates in the special election to replace Rep. Chris Stewart. In 2024, Colby Jenkins tried the same tactic against Maloy, again proposing 13 debates. Moore's team is also battle-tested. This is his fourth consecutive cycle heading to a primary after losing the convention delegate vote. He's 0-for-3 at convention and 3-for-3 in primaries. Lisonbee, by contrast, has faced a contested primary once, in 2018, and ran unopposed in 2024, 2022, and 2016. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-01-at-10.39.47---AM-1.png) Press release from Karianne Lisonbee's campaign challenging Blake Moore to multiple debates The press release announcing the five-debate challenge omitted a contact phone number, instructing reporters instead to reach the campaign at XXX-XXX-XXXX. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Utah GOP-backed Prop. 4 repeal bid officially fails URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-gop-backed-prop-4-repeal-bid-officially-fails/ Last updated: 2026-04-30T20:22:42.000Z Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson on Thursday said a bid to repeal Proposition 4, Utah’s voter-approved anti-gerrymandering law, [has officially failed to qualify](https://ltgovernor.utah.gov/elections/2026-statewide-initiative-determination/?ref=utahpolitics.news) for the November ballot. Prop. 4, passed by voters in 2018, created an independent redistricting commission and outlawed partisan gerrymandering—reforms the Republican-controlled Utah Legislature has tried to undo ever since. The repeal initiative initially qualified, but after a sustained signature-removal campaign, it fell below required thresholds in two state Senate districts, knocking it off the ballot. Utahns for Representative Government (UFRG), the GOP-led group behind the repeal, spent more than $4.3 million on signature-gathering, and almost all of it [came from Securing American Greatness](https://utahpolitics.news/dark-money-blitz-trump-aligned-group-flooding-utah-with-cash-to-overturn-anti-gerrymandering-law/), a Trump-aligned dark-money group. The signature push was dogged by fraud allegations and that petition circulators misled voters. A North Carolina man who was employed as a signature collector for the effort [was charged with 11 felonies on Tuesday](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/signature-gatherer-charged-11-felonies-162630623.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) after he was accused of submitting fraudulent signatures. Three opposition groups raised nearly $1 million to persuade voters to pull their signatures. - Defend Utah’s Ballot raised $650,000, mostly from two donors—[Forward Majority Action](https://forwardmajority.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news), a Democratic super PAC, and [The Fairness Project](https://thefairnessproject.org/who-we-are/?ref=utahpolitics.news), which helped put Medicaid expansion on Utah’s 2018 ballot. - Utahns Protecting Our Constitution, closely aligned with Better Boundaries (the organization behind the 2018 Prop. 4 campaign), reported more than $429,000 in cash and in-kind support. - Brave Utahns Rapid Response Network (BURRN), a grassroots group opposing the repeal, raised about $9,500. Better Boundaries celebrated Henderson’s decision. “Utah voters won today. Again. The latest attempt to repeal Proposition 4—to tear down the independent redistricting system that Utah voters have worked for and defended for years—has been stopped,” the group said in a statement. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Fact check: Has Ben McAdams taken 'hundreds of thousands' from the pro-Israel lobby? URL: https://utahpolitics.news/fact-check-has-ben-mcadams-taken/ Last updated: 2026-04-29T21:24:37.000Z A viral claim dogging former Democratic U.S. Rep. Ben McAdams in Utah’s 1st Congressional District says he’s taken “hundreds of thousands” from the pro-Israel lobby. That number comes from an extremely loose accounting of campaign donations, and the group behind it is now changing how it counts. What’s actually true: McAdams has one $5,000 donation from a pro-Israel PAC six years ago. The rest of the six-figure total came from counting any individual who has ever donated to a pro-Israel PAC, whether or not their donation to McAdams had anything to do with Israel. [TrackAIPAC.com](http://trackaipac.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news), which launched in 2024 to oppose the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), produces shareable graphics claiming to show how much “pro-Israel money” a candidate has received from PACs and donors. For McAdams, Track AIPAC’s card put the total above $250,000—and by last week, the number had swelled to $293,122. That’s misleading. The only direct donation to McAdams from a pro-Israel PAC came in 2020 from [Democratic Majority for Israel (DMFI)](https://demmajorityforisrael.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news), which calls itself “the home for pro-Israel Democrats.” DMFI gave $5,000 to McAdams and reported no independent expenditures on his behalf that cycle, according to [OpenSecrets](https://www.opensecrets.org/political-action-committees-pacs/democratic-majority-for-israel/C00710848/summary/2020?ref=utahpolitics.news). The rest of Track AIPAC’s tally [came from individual donors](https://x.com/admcrlsn/status/2047025994901426448?s=20&ref=utahpolitics.news) who had, at any time, given to a pro-Israel PAC, a definition broad enough to tag a donation to McAdams as “pro-Israel” even if the donor gave for unrelated reasons. By last week, [the number had ballooned to $293,122](https://web.archive.org/web/20260421155058/https://www.trackaipac.com/candidates). Utah Political Watch asked Track AIPAC to explain its methodology and did not receive a reply. [Amid criticism](https://www.thebulwark.com/p/track-aipac-methodology-is-just-vibes-israel-lobby-color-cards?ref=utahpolitics.news) of its bookkeeping methods, Track AIPAC on Monday said it is changing how it counts contributions. “Some of our recent work incorporating tracked contributions created confusion and, at times, muddied the waters,” the group said [in a post](https://x.com/TrackAIPAC/status/2048928397825294393/photo/1?ref=utahpolitics.news). “The goal is clarity and accountability.” > [pic.twitter.com/kUCsZu2lNm](https://t.co/kUCsZu2lNm?ref=utahpolitics.news) > > — AIPAC Tracker (@TrackAIPAC) [April 28, 2026](https://twitter.com/TrackAIPAC/status/2048928397825294393?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) As of Wednesday, TrackAIPAC’s [lists only the 2020 DMFI donation](https://www.trackaipac.com/candidates?ref=utahpolitics.news#:~:text=Endorsed%20by%20DMFI-,BEN%20MCADAMS,-Candidate%20for%20U) for McAdams. He is still included on Track AIPAC’s page of “pro-Israel” candidates for Congress. The McAdams card is gone from the site but [lives on via the Internet Archive](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/67243caa6cdc511f819106d8/1773478717303-4QWQGOH71NA4CKYHJYAW/UT-01%2BBen%2BMcAdams.jpg?ref=utahpolitics.news). Even with the walk-back, the damage is done. Track AIPAC [has endorsed state Sen. Nate Blouin](https://www.trackaipac.com/states/utah?ref=utahpolitics.news) in the CD1 Democratic primary, and the inflated number keeps popping up in social posts and comment threads. A McAdams campaign spokesperson declined to comment. That single $5,000 donation from six years ago pales in comparison to the hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions from pro-Israel PACs to the six Republicans currently representing Utah in Congress. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Republicans can vote in the CD1 Democratic primary election. Here's how URL: https://utahpolitics.news/republicans-can-vote-in-the-cd1-democratic-primary-election-heres-how/ Last updated: 2026-04-29T15:59:17.000Z Utah’s Republican primaries are closed. The upcoming Democratic primary in the new 1st Congressional District isn’t. Any voter, including Republicans, can cast a Democratic ballot if they ask for one. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/Tick-Tock-1.svg) ****55 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****188 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****923 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) Four Democrats, Ben McAdams, Nate Blouin, Liban Mohammed, and Michael Ferrell, all qualified for the primary election on June 23\. The winner will be a heavy favorite to win the Democratic-leaning district in November. The nonpartisan [Cook Political Report rates CD1](https://www.cookpolitical.com/house/race/485411?ref=utahpolitics.news) as "Solid Democrat" with a Partisan Voting Index (PVI) of D+12\. [The Republican nominee](https://utahpolitics.news/live-coverage-utah-gop-convention/) in CD1 is Riley Owen. Republican and unaffiliated voters who want to vote in the CD1 Democratic primary must request a Democratic mail-in ballot from the county clerk. The clerk’s office has an [online form to make that request](https://www.saltlakecounty.gov/clerk/elections/register/affiliation/party-affiliation-request-form/?ref=utahpolitics.news). Republican voters who request a Democratic ballot won’t be able to vote in GOP primaries for the Utah House, Utah Senate, State School Board, or County Council races on the same ballot if they happen to live in those districts. - **SD18**: Incumbent Sen. Dan McCay vs. Rep. Doug Fiefia. - **HD29**: Sheldon Birch vs. Alexis Wheeler to replace Rep. Bridger Bolinder, who isn’t running again. - **HD35**: Monique Ketcham vs. Andrew Uz. The winner faces Democratic incumbent Rosalba Dominguez. - **HD38:** Gloria Vindas vs. Chris McConnehey to replace retiring Rep. Cheryl Acton. - **HD41:** Darren Croft vs. Eryn Russo. The winner faces Democratic incumbent John Arthur. - **HD44:** Incumbent Rep. Jordan Teuscher vs. Scott Stephenson. - **HD48:** Jake Hunsaker vs. Nik Anderson for the open seat vacated by Rep. Doug Fiefia, who’s running for state Senate. - **State School Board District 8:** Trina Christensen vs. Nicole McDermott to replace Christina Bogguss, who isn’t running again. - **County Council District 5:** Chris Null vs. Traci Crockett to replace Sheldon Stewart. Mail ballots go out the first week of June. If you want a Democratic primary ballot, request it now; the clerk says sooner is better. Republicans and independents can also vote using a provisional ballot in person during early voting or on Election Day. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Video: The 2026 Utah congressional primaries are set. Here's what to watch URL: https://utahpolitics.news/video-the-2026-utah-congressional-primaries-are-set-heres-what-to-watch/ Last updated: 2026-04-28T18:08:21.000Z The state conventions are over, and the fields are locked in for Utah's four congressional primaries. The June 23rd primary is eight weeks away, and in some of these races, that may not be enough time for the underdog candidates to close the gap. Here are the key things to watch. **CD1** is the marquee Democratic primary. Ben McAdams enters with $860,000 in the bank, strong name ID, and a track record voters recognize. Liban Mohamed pulled off a surprise win at the Democratic convention, but convention delegates and primary voters are very different animals. The other factor that could scramble the math: Utah Democrats have an open primary, meaning independents and Republicans can request a Democratic ballot—as long as they don't vote in the Republican primary. **CD2** features the now-familiar sight of Blake Moore being forced into a primary. Karianne Lisonbee got it done at convention, but she's facing Moore's massive $2.4 million campaign war chest and just eight weeks to introduce herself to voters outside her legislative district. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/Congressional-map.jpg)](https://utahpolitics.news/2026-utah-congressional-candidate-tracker/) ****Follow the 2026 midterms with our congressional candidate tracker.** [2026 Congress tracker ](https://utahpolitics.news/2026-utah-congressional-candidate-tracker/) **In CD3,** Celeste Maloy and Phil Lyman nearly split the delegate vote at the convention 50/50\. Maloy has almost $500,000 in the bank. Lyman has raised less than $5,000\. But Lyman has name ID that her last Republican challenger didn't—and that challenger almost beat her in 2024. **CD4** is mostly a non-event. Mike Kennedy won the GOP nomination outright and is a heavy favorite in November. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Utah GOP candidate sues after falling three signatures short of reaching the primary. The case could put nearly a dozen candidates back on June's ballot URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-gop-candidate-sues-after-falling-three-signatures-short-of-reaching-the-primary-the-case-could-put-nearly-a-dozen-candidates-back-on-junes-ballot/ Last updated: 2026-04-27T20:47:08.000Z A Republican candidate who fell three signatures short of qualifying for Utah's June primary is suing Salt Lake County election officials, arguing there’s a provision in state law that already puts her on the ballot—and could upend the entire signature-gathering system in the process. Lisa Dean filed suit Monday claiming Utah's election code contains two separate pathways to qualify for a primary through signatures, and she's already cleared one of them. It's the second time Dean has tried to force a primary against incumbent Rep. Ken Ivory in House District 39\. In 2024, she petitioned her way onto the ballot and lost by just 590 votes. This year she came up three signatures short—and Ivory waltzed through the Salt Lake County GOP convention with 35 out of 45 delegate votes, locking up the nomination. Here’s how Dean’s legal argument works. Utah law [sets a flat signature requirement](https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title20A/Chapter9/20A-9-S408.html?v=C20A-9-S408%5F2025121120260208&ref=utahpolitics.news#:~:text=%288%29,this%20section%3B%20and) for candidates: [1,000 signatures for state House races](https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title20A/Chapter9/20A-9-S408.html?v=C20A-9-S408%5F2025121120260208&ref=utahpolitics.news#:~:text=for%20a%20state%20House%20district%20race%2C%201%2C000%20signatures%20of%20registered%20voters%20who%20are%20residents%20of%20the%20state%20House%20district%20and%20are%20permitted%20by%20the%20qualified%20political%20party%20to%20vote%20for%20the%20qualified%20political%20party%27s%20candidates%20in%20a%20primary%20election%3B). That's the number the Salt Lake County Clerk used when ruling Dean came up short. [But a separate provision](https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title20A/Chapter9/20A-9-S403.html?v=C20A-9-S403%5F2025050720250507&ref=utahpolitics.news#:~:text=405%3B%20and-,%28ii%29,in%20the%20political%20division%20of%20the%20office%20that%20the%20individual%20seeks.,-%28b%29) says a candidate also qualifies if their petition is signed by at least 2 percent of the party's registered voters in the district. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.21-Legislative-tracker-CTA.jpg)](https://utahpolitics.news/2026-utah-candidate-tracker/) [2026 Legislative Candidate Tracker ](https://utahpolitics.news/2026-utah-candidate-tracker/) In House District 39, that's only 190 Republicans. Dean submitted 997 verified Republican signatures, far above the 2 percent threshold. Dean's suit argues the law doesn't clearly establish that the flat number overrides the percentage rule. State code refers to both as "applicable" signature thresholds, she says. If a court agrees, she's on the ballot. And she won't be alone. If the court accepts Dean's argument, it could place several other candidates who missed the flat signature requirement onto primary ballots across the state. Using voter registration data from election data company L2, at least eight races include candidates who fell short of the flat threshold but cleared the 2 percent bar. **Who else would be affected:** **Congressional District 1**: Democrat Eva Lopez Chavez was 5,998 signatures short of the 7,000 required but cleared the 2 percent threshold. She would join Ben McAdams, Liban Mohamed, Nate Blouin and Michael Farrell in a five-way Democratic primary. **SD11**: Republican Chris Sloan was eliminated by delegates at Saturday's state GOP convention despite submitting 1,394 signatures—enough to meet the 2 percent threshold. He would face GOP nominee Brooks Benson in a primary. **SD13**: Democrat Richard Whitney was knocked out at the Salt Lake County convention, but his signature total would put him in a primary with three other Democratic candidates. **HD17**: Republicans Sam Barlow and Lili Bitner already qualified through signatures. Under the 2 percent rule, Republican Adam Sorenson would join them on the primary ballot. **HD26**: Democrat Michael Finch won his party's nomination at convention. Darrel Curtis fell short of 1,000 signatures but submitted enough to force a primary under the 2 percent rule. **HD28**: Republican Nicholeen Peck won the GOP nomination at convention over Stephanie Bagwell. Bagwell would force a primary through signatures under the 2 percent threshold. **HD60**: Republican Grant Pace is currently unopposed in November. McCay Jensen submitted enough signatures to force Pace into a primary under the 2 percent rule. **HD67**: Republicans JR Bird and Yvonne Jensen are already set to face off in the June primary. Gina Gagon missed the 1,000-signature threshold but cleared the 2 percent bar and would join them on the ballot. Dean says she’s challenging the existing ballot access system that lets a handful of party delegates override hundreds or thousands of signatures from actual voters—the same system that shut her out this year after she spent months knocking on doors. “I think the caucus-convention system served people well when there was not access to information and you couldn’t just call or email the candidate or look at their website. But I don’t see the need for it now,” Dean says. “I love the idea of more people being able to participate in choosing their candidate. I think this could potentially give a lot more voters in the state the opportunity to choose their candidate,” she added. Dean is also separately challenging the rejection of specific signatures, arguing officials applied the review rules incorrectly and that she actually cleared 1,000 valid signatures on her own. She submitted 1,307 signatures by the deadline. The clerk rejected 310, including 25 that lacked a date written directly beside the signature as required by statute. Dean argues the dating requirement exists simply to confirm signers were registered voters at the time they signed and says at least 18 of those 25 signers were clearly registered at the time. Another 11 signatures had dates written directly above or below them on the page, which she argues satisfies the "next to" requirement. Dean also argues that at least three of the 91 signatures rejected for party affiliation actually belong to registered Republicans and should count. If three or more are restored, she clears 1,000 on her own and would force Ivory into a primary. The June primary is eight weeks away. Third District Judge Laura Scott has scheduled a hearing for Tuesday afternoon. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Utah GOP convention: Celeste Maloy and Phil Lyman head to a primary. Blake Moore survives on signatures URL: https://utahpolitics.news/live-coverage-utah-gop-convention/ Last updated: 2026-04-26T00:32:28.000Z Follow along with live updates from the Utah GOP convention at Utah Valley University in Orem. ### Congressional District 3 The contest between Rep. Celeste Maloy and former state Rep. Phil Lyman promised to be the most competitive of the day. It lived up to that billing, going to a second round of voting. Both Maloy and Lyman advance to the June primary. Maloy said she understood that delegates might be frustrated with the trajectory of the country. "I've been talking to a lot of you the last few weeks, and I know a lot of you are frustrated. And there are good reasons to be. We have really high debt, there's instability around the world, and people who have violated our trust aren't always held accountable as quickly as we would like," Maloy said. Lyman, on the other hand, rattled off a laundry list of right-wing culture war greatest hits, primarily immigration. "We are Americans. And we are not required to stand idle while our country is undergoing a coordinated invasion. The crime worthy of deportation is crossing the border illegally. No other crimes required." Lyman said. Lyman then made Saturday's only reference to Jeffrey Epstein. "We're done being lied to. Release the Epstein files," Lyman said to a smattering of applause. Lyman referenced numerous conspiracy theories during his speech, including election fraud, government surveillance, vaccine skepticism and chemtrails. Maloy heads to the primary with a massive campaign funding advantage. According to the most recent FEC disclosures, Maloy has more than $461,000 cash on hand. Lyman has not yet filed a report because he has not raised or spent at least $5,000. --- ### Congressional District 2 Rep. Blake Moore [has never prevailed](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-convention-preview-its-grudge-match-saturday-in-utah-politics/) at convention, finishing second every time since he first ran in 2020\. It happened again on Saturday, with state Rep. Karianne Lisonbee receiving 61.5% to Moore's 33.7%. That result forces Moore into his fourth straight primary election. Moore collected signatures to qualify for the primary. Had he not done that, he would have been eliminated from the race. Moore, who heard a few boos from delegates as he came to the podium, ticked off a long list of his accomplishments since he was first elected to Congress in 2020, including becoming the first Utahn in history to secure a spot on the influential Ways and Means Committee. He also cast Republicans as the party of "common sense" while tarring Democrats as "crazy." "Republicans secure borders. Democrats open them. We support law enforcement. They refuse to fund ICE and Border Patrol. Women play in women's sports. Men do not play in women's sports. We embrace merit over DEI. Energy should be abundant, not restricted. Conservative policies enhance upward mobility where progressive policies create dependence," Moore said. He also urged delegates to give him enough support so that he can avoid a primary election. "I have always been a convention-supported candidate, but today I'm asking you to make me the outright winner so that I will go and spend the next six months making sure every American knows the difference between common sense and crazy," Moore said. Lisonbee continued her attacks on Moore for his work with Better Boundaries in 2018, which originally put Prop. 4 on the ballot. "My opponent worked with Democrats to turn a reliably red Utah congressional seat deep blue. Now, more than ever, we need real leadership in D.C.," Lisonbee said. She added that, if elected, she would work to end corruption in D.C., pledging not to trade stocks during her time in office. Moore has a massive money advantage over Lisonbee ahead of the June primary, with more than 16 times as much cash on hand. --- ### Congressional District 1 Utah Republicans are in an unfamiliar spot: whoever wins the GOP nomination in the 1st District is the underdog in November, thanks to a new map put in place by Judge Dianna Gibson last year. That map created a Democratic-leaning district centered on Salt Lake County that the Cook Political Report rates as D+14\. Had the district been in place in 2024, Democrat Kamala Harris would have carried the district by more than 20 points. Republican Riley Owen won the nomination outright, securing 71.2% of the vote in the first round. During his speech, Owen conceded the map favors Democrats but argued the hill is climbable. "To win this fight, we must expand our coalition beyond this arena by earning blocks critical to our victory. Our neighbors on the west side, who so frequently feel ignored and forgotten. Our moderate and independent friends who feel that their interests have not been captured. And our young people, who feel anxious about the costs of raising families and buying homes," Owen said. Dave Robinson, who started gathering signatures to make the ballot, then abandoned the effort, made a similar case that a Republican can still win a deep-blue seat. "In 2020, Joe Biden won Salt Lake County by 15 points. Our candidates won by anywhere from a point and a half to 10 points. Those same voters that voted for Joe Biden then came down and voted for Republican candidates and voted on policy," Robinson said. Stone Fonua gave a bizarre performance during his speaking slot, leading the crowd in the singing of the LDS Church hymn, "Love is Home." Fonua previously was the U.S. Senate nominee for the Independent American Party in 2016, then ran for U.S. Senate as a Republican in 2018\. He also ran for Congress in the special election to replace Rep. Chris Stewart as a member of the United Utah Party in 2023. Just 473 delegates in CD1 showed up to vote on Saturday. --- ### Congressional District 4 There wasn't much drama on Saturday as Rep. Mike Kennedy cruised to an easy win over three other candidates, winning 78.7% support from delegates. Addressing delegates, Kennedy drew applause when he highlighted his votes to repeal SB54, which allows candidates to bypass convention delegates through signature gathering, while he served in the Utah Legislature. He also noted his work on banning gender-affirming care for transgender youth in Utah. "When I was in the state legislature, I had the privilege to run the bill that banned transgender surgeries on minors in this state. And I will tell you right now that if there's any federal legislation that's going to jeopardize that bill, I will vote against it. I have voted over and over again to keep men out of women's locker rooms, men out of women's bathrooms, and men out of women's sports. And I'm proud to stand with you as a conservative," Kennedy said. Kennedy will be a heavy favorite in November. The Cook Political Report rates Utah's 4th District as R+17. --- ### More election results Here are the results from the rest of the legislative elections on Saturday: - **HD4** \- Rep. Tiara Auxier won 92.2% of the vote and wins the nomination over Kris Campbell. - **HD12** \- House Speaker Mike Schultz cruised past Dava Ann Neal with 94.6% of the delegate vote. - **HD29** \- Alexis Wheeler won the nomination outright for the open seat being vacated by Rep. Bridger Bolinder. - **HD59** \- Luke Searle and Jeffrey Pierce advance to a primary for the seat left open by Rep. Mike Kohler's retirement. - **HD66** \- Incumbent Troy Shelley won 79% of the delegate vote to win the nomination outright, eliminating Justin Zohner from the race. - **HD67** \- JR Bird is the party nominee for this open seat. Rep. Christine Watkins is not running for another term. - **HD69** \- Rep. Logan Monson is forced into a primary by Daniel Gardner after neither candidate was able to secure the 60% needed to win the nomination outright. - **SD1** \- Incumbent Sen. Scott Sandall handily beat Fred Hayes for the GOP nomination, avoiding a primary. --- ### Senate President Stuart Adams gets another primary challenger Senate President Stuart Adams has already been forced into his first-ever primary election after both he and Stephanie Hollist submitted enough signatures to automatically advance to the primary. There was another first for Adams on Saturday. It marked the first time he failed to win enough support from delegates to keep another candidate from advancing to the primary election. In the third and final round of voting, Adams only got 54.8% of the delegate vote, short of the 60% required to secure the delegate nomination. Adams was only able to get 54.8% of the delegate vote in SD7 on Saturday, while Braden Hess scored 45.2%. Hess advances to the primary along with Adams and Hollist. --- ### Rob Bishop returns to the Utah Legislature Former congressman Rob Bishop is returning to the Utah Legislature. Delegates overwhelmingly gave him the GOP nomination in HD6 on Saturday, then voted to have him fill the vacancy in that seat after former Rep. Matt Gwynn resigned following the 2026 legislative session. Bishop served in the Utah Legislature from 1978 to 1994, rising to House Speaker from 1992 to 1994. --- ### Sen. Mike Lee calls for the repeal of SB54, continues to push election falsehoods (with video) Sen. Mike Lee, who is a favorite of Republican delegates, took the stage to a large cheer (and a few boos). During his speech, Lee ripped Prop. 4, the voter-approved anti-gerrymandering measure that established an independent redistricting commission. "This so-called independent redistricting commission was wrong. It was designed to circumvent you, us, and who we elect to make our laws under the Utah Constitution," Lee said. Last year, Third District Judge Dianna Gibson ruled the Utah Legislature illegally repealed Prop. 4 in 2020\. As a result of that litigation, Gibson tossed out the congressional map passed by lawmakers in 2021 and put in place the current map that includes a Democratic-leaning district centered on Salt Lake County. "It is the Utah legislature. It is not courts. It sure as heck is in a commission. It's our lawmakers," Lee continued. He then pivoted to call for the repeal of SB54, which created the dual-path nomination system that allows candidates to collect signatures to appear on the primary ballot. "This charade has gone on long enough, and we can't put up with it anymore," Lee said to loud cheers from delegates. "Now, it's not going to be easy, but we all have to unite. We have to make our voices heard. We have to talk to those who represent us in the state capitol, and we have to get it done." Lee also repeated his false claim that Democrats are bringing undocumented immigrants into the country and allowing them to vote to win elections. "Our Democratic colleagues in the Senate and their counterparts in the House also want to outsource voters. American voters. American voters outsourced with foreign voters, whom they brought in to the tune of 10 or 15 million just in four years alone. They want to make it easier for them to vote. And we will have nothing of it," Lee said. It's already illegal for non-citizens to vote in federal elections. Utah election officials [reviewed more than 2 million voter registrations](https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/utah-reviewed-its-voter-rolls-for-noncitizens/?ref=utahpolitics.news) and identified just one possible noncitizen who registered to vote, but they did not cast a ballot. Despite that, Lee is using the dubious claim to push the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote. Critics say that the legislation would disenfranchise up to 10% of voters because the only documents that could be used to prove citizenship would be a birth certificate or passport. --- ### Charlie Kirk tribute During his opening remarks, Party Chair Rob Axson paid tribute to conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed on the UVU campus last year. During his speech, Axson compared Kirk to the founding fathers. It was then a graphic depicting Kirk in Revolutionary War garb resembling George Washington flashed on the screen. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/IMG_3720.JPG) Last week, Utah Republicans and legislative leaders [pressured UVU officials to drop Sharon McMahon](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/uvu-commencement-speaker-dropped-after-charlie-kirk-comments-surface/ar-AA214UpQ?cvid=69e19555b2614f00a20dac35327c5778&ocid=iehp&apiversion=v2&domshim=1&noservercache=1&noservertelemetry=1&batchservertelemetry=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1&bundles=feat-es2020-t&ref=utahpolitics.news) as the school's commencement speaker over her past comments about Kirk. --- ### Early election surprises **SD18** Sen. Dan McCay's political career survived by the thinnest of margins on Saturday. McCay is being challenged by Rep. Doug Fiefia for the GOP nomination in SD18\. McCay, who did not collect signatures, advanced to a primary against Fiefia by just two votes. Tracie Halvorsen was eliminated in the first round of voting. **SD11** Former House Majority Whip John Knotwell had support from legislative leadership and a massive campaign war chest in his bid to return to the Utah Legislature. --- ### [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Utah convention preview: It's grudge match Saturday in Utah politics URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-convention-preview-its-grudge-match-saturday-in-utah-politics/ Last updated: 2026-04-24T16:04:56.000Z Utah's Republican and Democratic conventions are on tap Saturday—GOP delegates at Utah Valley University in Orem, Democrats at Jordan High School—and at least one powerful lawmaker could have a very uncomfortable afternoon. Here are the six races worth watching. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Video: Why Nate Blouin's old posts could spell big trouble for his campaign URL: https://utahpolitics.news/video-why-nate-blouins-old-posts-could-spell-big-trouble-for-his-campaign/ Last updated: 2026-04-23T20:50:30.000Z Old message board posts from Nate Blouin exploded into the Democratic race in Utah's 1st Congressional District last week, and the fallout may be far from over. The posts, reported by Punchbowl News, [included mocking attacks](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-1st-district-race-rocked-by-blouins-old-posts-mocking-mormons-joking-about-sexual-assault/) on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, jokes about sexual assault, and a claim that Blouin had defecated in a church parking lot. They were written roughly 15 years ago. The timing couldn't be worse. About 30% of voters in CD1 are Mormon women, and one political strategist says that group is "essentially gone" for Blouin. In a district where Democrats are already the third-largest voting bloc, he can't afford those losses. And if he survives the primary? Expect the NRCC to weaponize these posts in a district that's heavily LDS. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Podcast: Trevor Lee and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Week URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/podcast-trevor-lee-and-the-terrible-horrible-no-good-very-bad-week/ Last updated: 2026-04-22T21:47:49.000Z Rep. Trevor Lee had a very, very bad week. He [lost the Davis County GOP convention vote](https://utahpolitics.news/bob-stevenson-tops-trevor-lee-at-davis-gop-convention-lee-squeezes-into-june-primary-amid-fraud-claims/) to Bob Stevenson. That came a few days after a website dropped with [serious fraud allegations](https://utahpolitics.news/two-of-rep-trevor-lees-former-bosses-say-hes-a-con-man-and-voters-should-know/) from two former employers. One features a signed confession of check fraud. The other involves explosive claims that Lee tried to use his legislative office to help steer a federal contract at Hill Air Force Base in exchange for retiring a $93,000 personal debt he owed to his employer. The CD1 Democratic primary is getting more complicated by the day. What started as a two-person race is now a likely four- or five-way contest heading into convention weekend. Why Ben McAdams is the clear frontrunner—cash, name ID, and a district that's not as progressive as some assume—and why [old online posts from Nate Blouin](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-1st-district-race-rocked-by-blouins-old-posts-mocking-mormons-joking-about-sexual-assault/) attacking the LDS church could be a serious liability in November, regardless of what happens in the primary. Plus: [Celeste Maloy qualifies for the CD3 primary](https://utahpolitics.news/maloy-locks-in-utah-3rd-district-ballot-spot-pressure-shifts-to-lyman/) via signatures while Phil Lyman races the clock; the legislature's investigation of Supreme Court Justice Diana Hagen and what it's really about; Ken Ivory's close call in HD39; and a preview of the state Republican and Democratic conventions. Listen to the full episode at this link or wherever you get your podcasts. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Maloy locks in Utah 3rd District ballot spot; pressure shifts to Lyman URL: https://utahpolitics.news/maloy-locks-in-utah-3rd-district-ballot-spot-pressure-shifts-to-lyman/ Last updated: 2026-04-21T22:24:36.000Z Republican Celeste Maloy has secured a spot on Utah’s 3rd Congressional District June primary ballot, according to new signature totals released Tuesday afternoon. Maloy, who is seeking her second full term in Congress, is now safe from elimination at Saturday’s Utah Republican State Convention, where she’ll face former state Rep. Phil Lyman, a favorite of GOP delegates. Maloy was almost kept off the ballot when challenger Colby Jenkins grabbed 57% of the delegate vote at the 2024 state convention. She squeaked into the primary by just 176 votes. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026-CD3-only.png) Utah's 3rd Congressional District This year, Maloy left nothing to chance, updating her declaration of candidacy to include Utah’s signature path [after Lyman jumped](https://utahpolitics.news/maloy-locks-in-utah-3rd-district-ballot-spot-pressure-shifts-to-lyman/) into the race. Now the pressure shifts to Lyman. He’s also collecting signatures, but as of Tuesday, he remains about 5,500 short of what he needs to automatically qualify for the ballot. County clerks must complete signature verification by Friday. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/Congressional-map.jpg)](https://utahpolitics.news/2026-utah-congressional-candidate-tracker/) ****Follow the 2026 midterms with our congressional candidate tracker.** [2026 Congress tracker ](https://utahpolitics.news/2026-utah-congressional-candidate-tracker/) If Lyman does not reach the required 7,000 signatures, he needs to secure at least 40% of the vote at Saturday’s convention to advance to the primary. David Harris and Tyler Murset are also seeking the GOP nomination in the 3rd District. Maloy has a massive cash advantage over Lyman and the rest of the field ahead of a potential primary election fight. According to the most recent FEC filings, Maloy has more than $460,000 on hand, while Lyman has raised less than $5,000. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Saturday's conventions just changed one of our Legislative Race Ratings URL: https://utahpolitics.news/saturdays-conventions-just-changed-one-of-our-legislative-race-ratings/ Last updated: 2026-04-21T14:10:22.000Z One Utah legislative race effectively ended at Saturday’s Utah Republican Party conventions, and it shifted our [2026 Legislative Race Ratings](https://utahpolitics.news/introducing-the-utah-political-watch-legislative-race-ratings/). ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/Tick-Tock-1.svg) ****4 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****63 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****196 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****931 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) One Utah House race, which we had flagged as potentially competitive, is off the board. Subscribers can see the updated ratings, full explanation, and district-by-district breakdown at the link below. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Three takeaways from Utah GOP conventions: Lee's base cracks, Ivory catches a break, and more unopposed races URL: https://utahpolitics.news/three-takeaways-from-utah-gop-conventions-lees-base-cracks-ivory-catches-a-break-and-more-unopposed-races/ Last updated: 2026-05-04T13:07:32.000Z Three takeaways from Saturday's Republican conventions: Trevor Lee's convention loss exposes a structural weakness in his campaign; Ken Ivory avoids a primary, but the district’s numbers hint at a tighter-than-usual November; and the ballot is thinning, with more unopposed races. ### Trevor Lee's delegate trouble Embattled Rep. Trevor Lee (R-Layton) [lost his own party convention](https://utahpolitics.news/bob-stevenson-tops-trevor-lee-at-davis-gop-convention-lee-squeezes-into-june-primary-amid-fraud-claims/) in HD16 on Saturday, falling to Bob Stevenson. That result is worse than it looks. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/Tick-Tock-1.svg) ****5 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****64 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****197 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****932 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) Convention delegates are supposed to be Lee’s people—the most engaged, most ideological Republicans in the district. If he can’t lock down the activists, that’s a structural problem for his campaign. Delegates are the reason Lee is even in the Legislature. In 2022, he stunned incumbent Steve Handy at the Davis County GOP convention, winning the nomination outright because Handy didn’t collect signatures. Utah’s system gives convention delegates outsized power. Just 91 delegates voted in HD16 on Saturday; Stevenson won 51-40\. There are about 10,500 registered Republicans in the district, so delegates represent roughly 0.86% of them. Stevenson isn’t an insurgent. He’s a two-term county commissioner and former Layton mayor with deep roots and name ID. At the same time, Lee has been dogged by controversy and scandal during his two terms in office. Just last week, two former employers accused him of fraud. One of those allegations is under investigation by the Utah Attorney General’s office. The primary electorate is far larger and less ideological than convention delegates, which is more bad news for Lee if he’s starting to slip with the base. Recent history backs that up. In 2024, after cruising to an easy victory at the convention, he nearly lost the primary election to Daniela Harding, surviving by just 524 votes. That was before the current round of scandals. The 2022 election carries its own warning. After Lee beat Handy at convention, Handy ran as a write-in and took 35.5% in November. The Libertarian candidate in the race grabbed 16%. There were more votes against Lee than for him that year. ### Ken Ivory breathes a sigh of relief Rep. Ken Ivory clinched the Republican nomination in HD39 at Saturday’s Salt Lake County convention, beating Lisa Dean and Ryan Jackson. The loss has to sting for Dean. She forced Ivory into a 2024 primary via signatures and lost by just 590 votes. She tried the signature path again this year and agonizingly fell three signatures short of qualifying for the primary. Only 45 delegates voted in HD39; Ivory took 35\. Those delegates equal about 0.55% of registered Republicans in the district. Ivory faces Democrat Drew Howells in November. Utah Political Watch [rates the contest as “Lean Republican,”](https://utahpolitics.news/2026-utah-house-ratings/) but the Utah Competitiveness Index suggests it could be closer. A typical Republican gets about 56% in HD39—well below Utah’s 64% to 65% statewide average—because the district votes about 8 to 9 points more Democratic than most Utah legislative seats. ### More unopposed Republicans on the November ballot Two more Republican House candidates will be unopposed in November, bringing the total to five. Incumbent Rep. Jim Dunnigan won the nomination outright at Saturday’s Salt Lake County convention after already qualifying for the primary by signatures. There’s no Democrat in HD36 after the initial Democratic candidate withdrew, and no replacement stepped up, so Dunnigan is unopposed. Jackie Larson won the nomination in HD64 to replace Rep. Jefferson Burton, who withdrew after moving out of the district. There’s no Democrat in the race. They join Republican incumbents Ray Ward, Nelson Abbott and Doug Welton, who are also unopposed in November. Three Democrats will be unopposed after the June primary: - HD14: Incumbent Stephanie Pitcher vs. Tyler Khater. No other candidates filed. - HD21: Stephen Otterstrom vs. Aaron Wiley to replace incumbent Sandra Hollins. The winner is unopposed in November. - HD34: Julie Jackson vs. Erin Jemison to succeed retiring Rep. Carol Spackman Moss. No other candidates filed. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Bob Stevenson tops Trevor Lee at Davis GOP convention; Lee squeezes into June primary amid fraud claims URL: https://utahpolitics.news/bob-stevenson-tops-trevor-lee-at-davis-gop-convention-lee-squeezes-into-june-primary-amid-fraud-claims/ Last updated: 2026-04-18T21:20:43.000Z Rep. Trevor Lee, R-Layton, fell short in the delegate vote to Davis County Commissioner Bob Stevenson at Saturday’s Davis County GOP convention, but he cleared the threshold to make the June primary anyway. Stevenson took 55% to Lee’s 45%. Because Lee didn’t collect signatures, he needed only 30% of the delegate vote to make the primary. Under Davis County GOP rules, a convention-only candidate who wins a majority of delegate votes can receive county party funding in the primary. In 2024, Lee topped 50%, and the party donated $10,000 to his primary against Daniela Harding. With 45% this year, he won’t get that support. Lee, who is [facing fraud allegations](https://utahpolitics.news/) from two former employers, didn’t mention the allegations when he addressed delegates at Syracuse High School. Instead, Lee stuck to his culture-war greatest hits and shots at immigrants. “I’ve made sure while I’ve been in office to push back against any of the woke garbage that is trying to infiltrate our state and change our families and our schools,” Lee said. “More importantly, I’m trying to prioritize you over those who are non-citizens. … It’s not fair when someone breaks the law and comes into our country and then we give them social safety nets and benefits. That is wrong.” He also took a swipe at another frequent target: the media. “I’ve always stood up regardless of the outrage from the media, who continue to slander me and tell me because I stand for you it is wrong,” Lee said. One of Lee’s former employers has accused the lawmaker of a quid pro quo scheme in which Lee allegedly offered to use his position in the Legislature to help them secure a federal contract. Part of the proceeds from that contract would then be used to pay off a $93,000 debt Lee owes to the company. House Speaker Mike Schultz has asked the attorney general to conduct an independent investigation of those claims. Lee has denied wrongdoing. Lee’s opponent in June’s GOP primary is Davis County Commissioner Bob Stevenson, who kept it generic when asked about the allegations. “If I could talk in generalities about this, all of us have to be really, really careful when we’re in political office that we have our guard up all the time to make sure what we are doing is right,” Stevenson said. Stevenson’s campaign filed a complaint with the county party earlier this week, accusing some party leaders of tilting the scales for Lee. Here’s what allegedly happened: When Republicans held their March 17 caucus meetings to elect delegates, some members showed up in person while others submitted absentee ballots, which is explicitly allowed under Utah Republican Party rules. Nearly a month later, some delegates got calls saying they were being replaced—no explanation, hearing or due process—according to the complaint. Stevenson’s team says it happened in at least seven precincts while campaigns were preparing for Saturday’s convention with no notice. The complaint says that violates party bylaws, which require candidates to be notified within 24 hours when a delegate is replaced. The complaint alleges that Lee filed challenges to the absentee ballots the day after caucus night and was allowed to review disputed ballots—access Stevenson wasn’t given. Ultimately, only one delegate in House District 16 was replaced. Stevenson says that person didn’t even show up on Saturday. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Two of Rep. Trevor Lee's former bosses say he's a con man, and voters should know URL: https://utahpolitics.news/two-of-rep-trevor-lees-former-bosses-say-hes-a-con-man-and-voters-should-know/ Last updated: 2026-04-15T23:24:06.000Z A pair of Utah businessmen are making serious allegations of fraud against Rep. Trevor Lee, and the claims go well beyond political disagreements. In videos posted to the [website Stop Trevor Lee](https://www.stoptrevorlee.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news), Moxie Pest Control CEO Jason Walton and his business partner Phil Nielsen allege that Lee manipulated company checks more than a decade ago while working for them in Raleigh, N.C. They say a bookkeeper flagged suspicious transactions, a bank investigation followed, and the bank concluded Lee had been cashing the same checks multiple times. Nielsen says that when they confronted Lee with copies of the checks, he denied wrongdoing until they threatened to call police—then admitted it. "Our company has employed over 10,000 people over the years, and we've had dozens of people steal. But I have never seen someone do it in the way that Trevor Lee did it. It was unique, and it was special, and not in a good way," Walton said of the alleged scheme. The site posts what it calls an “admission of guilt” Lee signed in 2013, along with images of altered checks. Walton was a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in 2024\. A second video features Trent Spafford, founder and CEO of Enevive, a Pleasant Grove water research firm. Spafford says Lee worked for his company more recently and described a pattern of alleged dishonesty that he says ultimately cost the company a government contract opportunity at Hill Air Force Base. Spafford’s claims are extensive: after hiring Lee as a full-time sales consultant in 2024, he says, Lee asked for $93,000 in commission advances, citing a legal fight with a homebuilder in Layton. “He would come to us in tears, saying he would lose his home. We kept giving him the advances,” Spafford said in an interview with Utah Political Watch. Eventually, the debt piled up. To settle it, Spafford says, Lee pitched a fix: He’d leverage his position at the Capitol to help land a grant or contract tied to Hill Air Force Base, then use his commission to wipe the slate clean. Spafford says he has dozens of audio recordings documenting Lee’s promises. In one clip he shared with Utah Political Watch, Spafford lays out the plan to use government money to retire the debt. “If you want to continue a good relationship … we’re able to get a 15% to 20% government contract,” Spafford says on the recording. “As we talked about, wiping the arrears away—that’s a win for me, so that you don’t owe that to me.” He adds: “And then the possibility of still working with Alex—I hope that’s a good relationship despite what might be happening here.” “Alex will do what I say, and I’ve told him to move forward with you guys and everything,” Lee replies. Spafford says “Alex” is lobbyist Alex Tarbet, who was helping Lee secure the contract. Spafford says he fired Lee last summer after learning Lee was moonlighting for a competitor, BlueLogic. He filed a federal lawsuit in September naming Lee among the defendants, alleging Lee made sales calls for a rival while still at Enevive and used Enevive’s client list and lead-generation software to do it. Spafford says he dropped the case this month, calling recovery unlikely. “The juice wasn’t worth the squeeze,” Spafford said. Rep. Lee refused to comment when contacted by Utah Political Watch. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Utah 1st District race rocked by Blouin's old posts mocking Mormons, joking about sexual assault URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-1st-district-race-rocked-by-blouins-old-posts-mocking-mormons-joking-about-sexual-assault/ Last updated: 2026-04-15T18:31:03.000Z Utah 1st Congressional District candidate Nate Blouin is facing heat over decade-old online posts in which he [joked about incest](https://link.punchbowl.news/click/45209724.8211/aHR0cHM6Ly9mb3J1bXMudGV0b25ncmF2aXR5LmNvbS9ob21lL2ZvcnVtL2dlYXItYnV5LXNlbGwvdGVjaC10YWxrLzIyNjE2Mi1nby13aXRoLXRoZS1nby1wcm8jcG9zdDUwMTkxMzA/67ab62f8cf3c4c9a3f03e016B14317d59?ref=utahpolitics.news), sexual assault, called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a “front for the largest U.S. drug cartel,” and labeled its members “a bunch of bigoted assholes.” Punchbowl News [first reported the posts](https://punchbowl.news/article/campaigns/blouin-reddit/?ref=utahpolitics.news) Wednesday. [Blouin apologized](https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GuRY6Byxd/) for the posts on social media Wednesday morning. “There’s no excuse for these posts—they're vulgar, stupid, and reflect a version of me in my early twenties that I’m ashamed of and thankfully evolved past,” Blouin said. “All I can say is I’ve spent the past decade of my life trying to become someone worth trusting—as a neighbor, as an advocate, and now as a public servant.” The posts appeared more than a decade ago on Reddit and on forums focused on outdoor sports, track and skiing. [On a thread](https://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat%5Fread.php?thread=5744144&ref=utahpolitics.news) about a male BYU athlete being charged with sexual battery for groping women on campus, Blouin replied~~,~~ “good ol’ mormon kid. had to let out the pent-up sexual frustration somehow.” In the same discussion, after a commenter said a college teammate would “slap girls’ butts” as they ran by, Blouin wrote that “slapping girl’s asses as you run by is inappropriate, it shouldn’t land you in jail or anything by any means. people are too damn sensitive.” He also joked about polygamy. Several posts mocked or made light of Mormons, including one where he claimed to have defecated “in an LDS Church parking lot.” A number of the posts from Blouin mocked or made light of the LDS Church, including one where he claimed to have defecated “in an LDS Church parking lot.” He also used slurs, including the word “retarded.” Polling shows Blouin running second to frontrunner Ben McAdams in the six-person Democratic primary. Both have qualified for the primary ballot by gathering signatures. Park City-based political consultant Reed Galen said the posts are immensely damaging to Blouin’s campaign. “I think ‘yikes’ is the right word,” Galen said. “This is the part that makes no sense to me. Did he really believe that none of this would ever show up again? Then he decides to run for Congress in the only blue district in Utah, where Mormons, especially Mormon women, will make up a large portion of primary voters? With the exception of women who have left the LDS Church, that cohort is essentially gone to him.” According to voter data from L2, about half of voters in the new district are women, and about 30% are members of the LDS Church. “If he hated the Mormons so much, why does he live in Utah? If you’re that displeased with the church, why do you want to represent the state in Congress? None of this makes any sense.” Compounding the damage, recent headlines about sexual misconduct by prominent Democrats have primed Democratic voters to be unforgiving about language that makes light of assault, Galen said. “The news about Eric Swalwell is still very much top of mind among Democrats. Making light of sexual abuse or spousal abuse makes him untenable with those voters,” Galen added. Swalwell [dropped his campaign for California governor](https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/eric-swalwell-allegations-22198271.php?ref=utahpolitics.news) and resigned from Congress after multiple women accused him of sexual assault. Several of Blouin’s Democratic opponents piled on. Michael Farrell said the newly surfaced posts "grossed him out" and he believes Blouin should drop out of the race. "This reflects who Nate is, despite any political bullshit he's putting out now," Farrell said. "It's all well and fine to apologize, but I don't think we need to send someone to Congress who jokes about child pornography. Where's the joke?" Farrell added he believes Blouin's posts are so politically toxic, it could cost him the election in November if he wins the Democratic nomination. Salt Lake City Councilmember Eva Lopez Chavez, the lone remaining woman in the race, said Blouin’s crude jokes about women and sexual assault are especially galling given that he first won election to the Utah Senate in 2022 by defeating incumbent Democrat Gene Davis, who was facing allegations of inappropriate behavior toward a female intern. “If we’re trying to drain the swamp and remove the same kind of vile predators from office, we shouldn’t send someone to Washington who uses this language,” she said. “He has claimed a higher moral authority during this campaign, and this is inconsistent with that record.” Liban Mohammed criticized Blouin's explanation that the posts were the product of youthful indescretion. "Let this be clear, these statements were made at the same age that I am today," Mohammed said. He added that the posts are just part of a larger pattern of "disturbing and unacceptable" behavior from Blouin. "Progressives are better than this. We lead with dignity, not the kind of character Nate has shown. Had this been someone outside of Nate's privileged position, there would be immediate calls to step down from this race. The same standard must always apply." Luis Villarreal, another Democrat in the race, said he’s not buying Blouin’s evolution narrative. “I think it’s a bit odd to say that youth was the reason for the callousness. Have I said dumb things in my youth? Sure, but I was in my teens, not my 20s,” he said. He added, “He’s long been known as a bomb thrower and constantly getting into feuds over Twitter, so I wonder how much he’s really matured.” A spokesperson for Ben McAdams declined to comment. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Andrew Yang thinks Utah is ready to break up with the GOP URL: https://utahpolitics.news/andrew-yang-thinks-utah-is-ready-to-break-up-with-the-gop/ Last updated: 2026-04-15T13:43:40.000Z Andrew Yang came to Salt Lake City with a pitch: Utah doesn’t have to settle. The former Democratic presidential candidate and co-founder of the [Forward Party](https://www.forwardparty.com/leadership/?ref=utahpolitics.news) visited Utah for the party’s 2026 state convention this week. He sat down with Utah Political Watch to make the case that his fledgling political party is poised to make an impact in the Beehive State. "Here in Utah, the Forward Party has the potential to be the second party, not the third," Yang said, arguing that voters are tired of the traditional two-party duopoly. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/Tick-Tock-1.svg) ****10 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****69 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****202 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****937 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) [The party does have a modest foothold](https://utahpolitics.news/minor-political-parties-join-forces-face-uphill-battle-in-gop-dominated-utah/). State Sen. Emily Buss is the lone Forward Party officeholder here, but she’s facing what Yang acknowledged will be a tough re-election fight. [Utah Political Watch rates](https://utahpolitics.news/2026-utah-senate-race-ratings/) SD11 “Likely Republican.” The district’s Utah Competitive Index sits at R+4.3, which means November could be more competitive than the label suggests. The party is [fielding 23 candidates](https://utahpolitics.news/2026-utah-candidate-tracker/) for Utah Legislature seats in November, which Yang says is a reflection of real grassroots energy. Yang casts this moment as an inflection point, and his party is well positioned to take advantage. He says 50% of Americans now identify as independents, and he argues the two parties are leaving the middle behind, including Republicans who voted for Donald Trump but are having buyer’s remorse. "You're being told, 'Tough luck. You might not love us, but you like the other guys even less,'" Yang said. "Forward says that's nonsense." The Forward Party’s pitch to voters isn’t ideological in the traditional left-right sense. Yang calls it solutions-first and pragmatic. Instead of a national platform, state and local parties decide which issues are most important to them. Candidates only have to pledge to follow broad principles like respecting the Constitution, supporting democracy, and working to find concrete fixes to problems in their communities. His co-founder is Christine Todd Whitman, the two-term Republican governor of New Jersey who, he said, jokes the sequel to her book “It’s My Party Too” would be “No, It Isn’t.” For now, the party’s focus is on local races. They’re betting state legislative races are winnable through retail politics—knocking on doors and building relationships with voters. "You don't need statewide advertising budgets," Yang said. "You just need a lot of shoe leather and heart and soul and grit." Whether that's enough to break through Utah's deeply Republican political structure remains to be seen. With the dominant party’s MAGA wing and traditional conservatives increasingly at war with each other, Yang is betting that there’s a coalition waiting to be assembled from the wreckage. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Mike Lee's Supreme Court moment may finally have arrived URL: https://utahpolitics.news/mike-lees-supreme-court-moment-may-finally-have-arrived/ Last updated: 2026-04-14T19:15:26.000Z Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley is floating Utah Sen. Mike Lee or Texas Sen. Ted Cruz to replace Justice Samuel Alito on the Supreme Court if Alito retires after the court’s term ends in June. [Grassley told Bloomberg Law](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/grassley-wants-lee-or-cruz-for-supreme-court-if-vacancy-arises?ref=utahpolitics.news) on Tuesday he hopes Alito doesn’t retire, but if he does, he’ll pitch either Lee or Cruz to President Donald Trump for the Supreme Court. Speculation that Alito, 76, might be preparing to hang up his robes began in February [after observers noted](https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/newsletter-samuel-alito-retiring/?ref=utahpolitics.news) that he had a new book set for publication on October 6, 2026, which is one day after the Supreme Court starts its 2026-27 term. Lee’s name has surfaced on every Trump Supreme Court shortlist since 2016, but he’s never received the nomination. - In 2016, [Lee was on a shortlist](https://www.politico.com/story/2016/09/mike-lee-no-trump-supreme-court-228573?ref=utahpolitics.news) of possible Supreme Court nominees during Trump’s first presidential campaign. His spokesperson quickly shot down the idea. - When Justice Anthony Kennedy retired in 2018, [Trump interviewed Lee](https://www.politico.com/story/2018/07/03/trump-mike-lee-supreme-court-scotus-692615?ref=utahpolitics.news) about filling the post. However, [Trump was reportedly worried](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-06-28/trump-is-said-to-weigh-senator-mike-lee-for-high-court-vacancy?ref=utahpolitics.news) Lee would have difficulty winning confirmation in the Senate because of his public opposition to Roe v. Wade. Trump eventually nominated Brett Kavanaugh to replace Kennedy. - During the 2020 presidential campaign, [Lee’s name was again](https://www.axios.com/2020/09/09/trump-supreme-court-list?ref=utahpolitics.news) on Trump’s list of potential Supreme Court justices. Last summer, [Lee was again in the mix](https://utahpolitics.news/the-mike-lee-supreme-court-chatter-begins-anew/) as the Trump administration gamed out retirements by Alito or Justice Clarence Thomas. If Trump taps Lee to fill Alito’s seat, confirmation might be an easy ride. Puck recently labeled him the “most despised” Republican senator, quoting a GOP aide who joked a Lee vote would be unanimous because “people want him out of the Senate.” Lee served as a clerk for Alito twice, once on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and again after Alito was elevated to the Supreme Court. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Utah GOP's one-year purity rule takes down a congressional candidate URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-gops-one-year-purity-rule-takes-down-a-congressional-candidate/ Last updated: 2026-04-14T14:22:27.000Z The Utah Republican Party’s new one-year party purity rule just knocked a congressional candidate out of the race—even as Salt Lake County Republicans decided the same rule doesn’t apply to them. In March, party officials told retired Air Force Maj. Gen. David Harris, a 3rd Congressional District candidate, that he was ineligible for the Utah GOP convention because he hadn’t been registered as a Republican for a full year—the new threshold the party set to keep last-minute switchers off the ballot. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/Tick-Tock-1.svg) ****11 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****70 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****203 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****938 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) [Harris said in a statement](https://generalharris.com/news/statement-from-general-david-harris-on-republican-convention-eligibilitynbsp?ref=utahpolitics.news) that he changed his affiliation to unaffiliated while in senior Air Force leadership to avoid any appearance of partisanship in uniform and re-registered as a Republican when he launched his campaign this year. With the convention door closed, his only path was the signature route. On Friday, he ended his campaign, saying he wouldn’t be able to collect the required 7,000 signatures to secure a spot on the primary ballot. “While I was honored by the opportunity to run, we were ultimately unable to gather the required signatures due to time and financial constraints,” [Harris said](https://generalharris.com/news/general-harris-announces-his-withdrawl-from-the-race?ref=utahpolitics.news). “I am deeply grateful to everyone who supported this effort… Although this campaign is coming to an end, my commitment to this community and the values we share does not.” The one-year rule was crafted to deter last-minute party switchers. The state central committee adopted it after former Rep. Kera Birkeland abruptly resigned in December 2024 and Kris Campbell—the Democrat she’d just defeated—switched to Republican to run in the special election. Delegates later wrote the rule into the party constitution at the state convention. That same purity test almost derailed a few Republican candidates in Salt Lake County—until county leaders decided it didn’t apply to them. State School Board candidate Trina Christensen [was initially told](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-gop-rule-aimed-at-party-switchers-may-knock-a-convention-only-republican-off-the-ballot/) she couldn’t seek the nomination at the county convention because she hadn’t been registered Republican for a full year before filing. That would have ended her campaign because she wasn’t collecting signatures. After reconsidering, the county party [said the rule doesn’t bind them](https://utahpolitics.news/salt-lake-county-gop-says-party-switcher-rule-doesnt-apply-because-of-one-word/) because of a one-word discrepancy between the [bylaws](https://assets.nationbuilder.com/utgop/pages/11984/attachments/original/1768345425/Bylaws-amended-on-01-10-26.pdf?1768345425&ref=utahpolitics.news) and the [state constitution](https://assets.nationbuilder.com/utgop/pages/3173/attachments/original/1748835798/Utah%5FRepublican%5FParty%5FConstitution%5F051725.pdf?1748835798&ref=utahpolitics.news). The bylaws say the one-year requirement applies to anyone running as a Republican, while the constitution says it applies to anyone seeking to run as a “state” Republican candidate. County officials say that lone word limits the rule to statewide and legislative races, not county contests. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### 2026 Utah congressional tracker URL: https://utahpolitics.news/2026-utah-congressional-candidate-tracker/ Last updated: 2026-04-14T14:40:58.000Z Keep track of who is running and who is gathering signatures with our chart and interactive candidate map. Additions? Omissions? [Let us know](mailto:news@utahpolitics.news). ### 2026 Utah legislative candidate tracker URL: https://utahpolitics.news/2026-utah-candidate-tracker/ Last updated: 2026-04-21T13:26:11.000Z Keep up to date with who is running for the Utah House and Senate with our 2026 candidate trackers. --- ### McAdams vs. Blouin takes a sharper tone in Utah's 1st District URL: https://utahpolitics.news/mcadams-vs-blouin-takes-a-sharper-tone-in-utahs-1st-district/ Last updated: 2026-04-13T15:46:44.000Z The tone of Utah’s 1st Congressional District Democratic primary just grew sharper, with more to come before the state convention on April 25. At Saturday’s Salt Lake Democratic convention, former Congressman Ben McAdams and state Sen. Nate Blouin, the perceived frontrunners in the race, traded shots in front of delegates. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/Tick-Tock-1.svg) ****12 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****71 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****204 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****939 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) Without mentioning him, McAdams knocked Blouin’s Senate tenure, saying he alienated Republicans and passed nothing in four years. “Being progressive has to mean making progress. You can believe every right thing. You can give every right speech, and you can still go to Washington and not change a damn thing,” McAdams said. “I didn’t go to Congress to have a job, I went to Congress to do the job.” Blouin hit back, blasting McAdams for a 2020 vote against a Democratic-sponsored resolution to limit then-President Donald Trump’s ability to unilaterally take military action against Iran. “We can’t settle for a candidate that voted to give Trump more power to wage war against Iran. Our new district went to Democrats by 24 points in 2024\. That’s a wider margin than Kamala Harris won in the state of Massachusetts,” Blouin said. The crossfire isn’t surprising. Both have already qualified for the June primary via the signature path and lead the Democratic field, according to recent polling. That wasn’t the only verbal fusillade from the stage on Saturday. State Sen. Kathleen Riebe [dropped out and endorsed McAdams](https://utahpolitics.news/kathleen-riebe-drops-out-of-congressional-race-endorses-ben-mcadams-over-volatile-nate-blouin/), taking a swipe at Blouin’s style on her way out. “Tweeting is not leading, and listening is what we need right now,” Riebe said. Whoever wins the Democratic nomination will be a heavy favorite in November—the non-partisan [Cook Political Report rates the race](https://www.cookpolitical.com/house/race/485411?ref=utahpolitics.news) as “Solid Democrat” with a partisan voting index of D+12\. With such high stakes, expect the contrasts to sharpen before the June primary. Blouin says he won’t let up. “As we get closer to when decisions get made, I’m not going to shy away from talking about the voting record of Ben McAdams,” Blouin said. “We’re gonna talk about those things ‘cause those are votes that he took.” McAdams frames the contest as a choice between speeches and results. “For me, this race comes down to we need a leader who can actually move the needle, who can get stuff done,” McAdams said. “This race is going to come down to that.” [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Kathleen Riebe drops out of congressional race, endorses Ben McAdams over 'volatile' Nate Blouin URL: https://utahpolitics.news/kathleen-riebe-drops-out-of-congressional-race-endorses-ben-mcadams-over-volatile-nate-blouin/ Last updated: 2026-04-12T01:49:51.000Z The race for Utah’s newly drawn [1st Congressional District](https://utahpolitics.news/2026-utah-congressional-candidate-tracker/) got a little less crowded Saturday: State Sen. Kathleen Riebe exited the Democratic primary and threw her support to former Rep. Ben McAdams, taking a parting swipe at rival state Sen. Nate Blouin. Riebe announced her exit from the race at the Salt Lake County Democratic convention at Highland High School on Saturday afternoon. She said she was backing McAdams over Blouin because of experience and temperament. “I didn’t want someone who will be volatile and confrontational,” Riebe said, taking a veiled shot at Blouin. “That’s too much of a risk.” Riebe said she stepped aside to avoid splitting support with McAdams in the primary. “I believe I’ve been a cohesive unit and tried to be a good face for the Democratic Party. I’ve tried really hard to bring us together by strength. I don’t see Nate doing that, and I see Ben being a better cohesive agent than Nate right now. I think our world is hurting, and I think our state is hurting, and to send someone to Congress that will just rabble-rouse doesn’t make any sense to me. During her remarks from the stage announcing her exit from the race, Riebe continued her criticism of Blouin. "I know that it's important to send a leader to Washington that is ready to go. Tweeting is not leading, and listening is what we need right now," Riebe said. She also pointed to sluggish fundraising as another motivating factor for her leaving the race. McAdams said Saturday that Riebe's announcement caught him by surprise. "She is such a strong leader. She's somebody who in the legislature knows how to get things done. She passes legislation. She stands her ground and she works with her colleagues to move the needle. So to receive the endorsement of such a strong leader as Kathleen Riebe who knows what it takes to win, is really an honor to me. I'm humbled and I'm grateful," McAdams said. Blouin said he was disappointed by Riebe's endorsement of McAdams, but said it wouldn't change how his campaign approaches the race, which he sees as a two-way contest with McAdams. "I appreciate Senator Riebe’s work over the years. I think we share a lot in common. And so it's always disappointing when someone moves the other direction, but I don't think it changes the calculus of the race," Blouin said. Riebe was the first candidate to jump into the race after the new congressional boundaries were put in place last November. Since then, she has struggled to gain traction. A recent poll of the primary race shows her in third place in the crowded primary field with 7% support, trailing McAdams (36%) and Blouin (23%). This is Riebe’s second run for Congress. She was the Democratic nominee in the 2023 special election to replace former Rep. Chris Stewart and lost to Republican Celeste Maloy, 57-33%. Riebe is the second Democrat to bow out. Former state Sen. Derek Kitchen withdrew in March. That leaves six Democrats in the race. McAdams and Blouin[ have already qualified](https://utahpolitics.news/democrat-ben-mcadams-first-to-qualify-for-utahs-new-1st-district-ballot-with-signatures/) for the primary election through signature gathering. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### What to watch: Salt Lake County Dems decide who advances, who's done URL: https://utahpolitics.news/what-to-watch-salt-lake-county-dems-decide-who-advances-whos-done/ Last updated: 2026-04-10T18:35:15.000Z When Salt Lake County Democrats pack into Highland High for [their nominating convention](https://www.slcountydems.com/convention2026?ref=utahpolitics.news) on Saturday morning, they’ll decide who advances to the primary election or the November ballot—and who goes home early. There are a handful of legislative races worth keeping your eye on. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/Tick-Tock-1.svg) ****Today** is the deadline for Republican and Democratic candidates for Congress to submit signatures to qualify for the primary ballot (4/10/2026) ****15 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****74 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****207 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****942 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) Candidates either qualified for the June primary by collecting signatures. If nobody wins 55% of the delegate vote, the top-two vote-getters advance to the primary. [Utah Political Watch’s 2026 race ratings](https://utahpolitics.news/introducing-the-utah-political-watch-legislative-race-ratings/) give each district two ratings. The Likely Outcome (“Safe D/R,” “Lean,” “Likely,” and “Toss-up”) reflects the traditional two-party vote. The Utah Competitiveness Index (UCI) compares each district to the statewide Republican baseline of 64.5%. ### SD13 Two of the four Democrats running to replace Sen. Nate Blouin in Senate District 13—Silvia Catten and Taylor Paden—already qualified for the primary by signature. Richard Whitney and Evan Done hope to join them on the ballot. The nomination fight is likely the whole ballgame. SD13 is one of the bluest districts in Utah—rated Safe D with a UCI of D+29.7—there’s no plausible path for a Republican to win. In 2024, Kamala Harris carried the district 70-30%. ### SD14 SD14 is already set: incumbent Stephanie Pitcher and challenger Tyler Khater both qualified for the primary by the signature path. The primary decides November’s winner as there are no other candidates in the race. ### HD21 None of the five Democrats running to succeed Sandra Hollins in House District 21 qualified by signature. That makes Saturday’s convention everything. The nominee will be unopposed in November. ### HD26: A true toss-up on the line In HD26, Darrell Curtis fell short of the 1,000 signatures needed and faces Michael Finch with the nomination, or a primary election, on the line. The winner faces Republican incumbent Matt MacPherson and Forward Party nominee Travis Alico. HD26 is one of the cycle’s few toss-up contests, according to Utah Political Watch’s 2026 ratings. Trump carried the district in 2024 by a 53-47% margin. ### HD34 In HD34, Erin Jemison qualified by signatures and can’t be eliminated Saturday. Not so for Julie Jackson, who needs delegate support to advance. The nominee will be unopposed in November. Incumbent Rep. Carol Spackman Moss is retiring. ### HD39 HD39 features a three-way fight among Drew Howells, Sarah Brough and Kevin Seal. Come fall, HD39 could be competitive. The seat is rated Lean R with a UCI of D+4.2, meaning it’s significantly more Democratic than the typical Utah district when compared to the statewide Republican baseline of 64.5%. ### HD40 and HD41: Incumbents on the ropes Two Democratic incumbents—Andrew Stoddard (HD40) and John Arthur (HD41)—missed qualifying for the primary through the signature path and now need delegates to survive. Wendy Davis, who is challenging Stoddard for the nomination in HD40, has already qualified for the primary via signatures. If she gets 55% on Saturday, Stoddard is out of the race. HD40 and HD41 are more than likely to send the eventual winner of the Democratic nomination to the legislature in November. Both seats are rated “Likely D” on the Utah Political Watch race ratings. ### HD36: Vacancy shuffle HD36’s Democratic candidate dropped out of the race after filing, so the county party’s central committee will pick a replacement on Saturday. The district is Lean R with a UCI of R+5.0, meaning it has the potential of being competitive in November. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Introducing the Utah Political Watch Legislative Race Ratings URL: https://utahpolitics.news/introducing-the-utah-political-watch-legislative-race-ratings/ Last updated: 2026-04-09T14:10:48.000Z Utah’s 2026 legislative elections are months away, but the battlefield is already taking shape. Today, Utah Political Watch launches district-by-district race ratings for every Utah House and Senate seat on the 2026 ballot. We analyzed eight statewide elections from 2016 to 2024, plus legislative results from 2022 and 2024, to build the most detailed independent assessment of Utah’s legislative map you can get. In short, Republicans are dominant, but not everywhere. And in a state this red, even small shifts can matter. ## How the ratings work Every district gets two ratings. First, the **Likely Outcome**, reflects historical two-party vote share in that district. A district rated Safe Republican is one where the GOP candidate has consistently won by wide margins. A district rated Lean Republican is one where Republicans win, but the margins are tighter. Toss-up means neither party has a consistent edge. Second, the **Utah Competitiveness Index** (UCI) measures how far a district sits relative to Utah's statewide Republican baseline of approximately 64.5%—meaning the average Utah legislative district votes about 65% Republican in a two-party race. The UCI tells you which districts are competitive by Utah standards. A district can be Lean Republican on Likely Outcome yet post a negative UCI because it’s more Democratic than the typical Utah district, even if Republicans still prevail. Think of it this way: Likely Outcome suggests who is probably going to win. The UCI tells you which races are worth watching. ## What the Senate map looks like Fifteen Utah Senate seats are on the 2026 ballot. On paper, the map is not particularly competitive this year. Three seats rate as Safe Republican (SD1, SD21, SD28). Six more are Likely Republican. On the Democratic side, two seats rate Safe and one rates Likely—all in Salt Lake County. The races to watch are **SD5 and SD19**. Both rate as Lean Republican—meaning Republicans are favored, but the margins are thin enough that a strong campaign or a shift in the political environment could make things interesting. SD5 is an open seat, and in 2024 Trump managed just 55.9% of the two-party vote there, not exactly a comfortable margin for a party that usually dominates Utah. [2026 Utah Senate Ratings](https://utahpolitics.news/2026-utah-senate-race-ratings/) ## The House map is bigger—and more complicated Twenty-eight House districts rate as Safe Republican. Seventeen more rate as Likely Republican. On the other end, five are rated as Likely Democratic and five as Safe Democratic—all clustered in Salt Lake County. Twelve districts are Lean Republican, meaning the GOP is favored but not comfortably. Six districts rate as true toss-ups, with no clear historical edge for either party. [2026 Utah House Ratings](https://utahpolitics.news/2026-utah-house-ratings/) ****Utah Political Watch subscribers get the complete 2026 Utah Legislature ratings—all 15 Senate districts plus all 75 House districts, each with presidential results, voter registration breakdowns, historical race results, and the Utah Competitiveness Index for every seat. It’s the most detailed independent look at Utah’s 2026 legislative map anywhere.** [Subscribe to access the full ratings ](#/portal/signup) [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### 2026 Utah Senate race ratings URL: https://utahpolitics.news/2026-utah-senate-race-ratings/ Last updated: 2026-08-31T19:07:06.000Z Utah Political Watch has rated all 15 Utah State Senate seats on the 2026 ballot using historical election data from eight statewide races between 2016 and 2024, combined with actual legislative results from 2022\. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/08/2-YEARS-LARGE-HORIZONTAL-600X280.jpg)](https://utahpolitics.news/2ndbirthday) ****Our 2026 Utah Senate Race ratings are exclusively for annual subscribers.** ****To celebrate 2 years of Utah Political Watch, new subscribers get 20% off through Aug. 31.** [CLAIM 20% OFF ➡️ ](https://utahpolitics.news/2ndbirthday) The table and interactive map below show the Likely Outcome and Utah Competitiveness Index rating for every Senate district on the ballot this November. _This post is for subscribers on the SUPPORTER ANNUAL and SUSTAINER ANNUAL tiers only._ ### 2026 Utah House race ratings URL: https://utahpolitics.news/2026-utah-house-ratings/ Last updated: 2026-08-31T18:10:53.000Z Utah Political Watch has rated all 75 Utah House districts using historical election data from eight statewide races between 2016 and 2024, combined with actual legislative results from 2022 and 2024\. The complete House ratings—including likely outcome, Utah Competitiveness Index, presidential results in every district, voter registration breakdowns, and historical race data—are available exclusively to Utah Political Watch subscribers. ****Full supporting data for every House district—including 2024 and 2020 presidential results, voter registration breakdowns, historical legislative race results, and detailed methodology—is available exclusively to Utah Political Watch paid subscribers.** [Subscribe to access the full ratings ](#/portal/signup) _This post is for subscribers on the SUPPORTER ANNUAL and SUSTAINER ANNUAL tiers only._ ### Podcast: Doxxing voters for the low price of $1,050 URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/podcast-doxxing-voters-for-the-low-price-of-1-050/ Last updated: 2026-04-08T18:20:06.000Z Starting May 25th, Utah's voter privacy protections for roughly 300,000 registered voters will disappear. Your name, address, party affiliation, and voting history will be available for public purchase at the lieutenant governor's office for $1,050\. To understand how we got here, you have to go back to Donald Trump losing the 2020 election and the election denial movement that followed. Also in this episode we discuss: - A last-minute U.S.-Iran ceasefire - The beginning of convention season - Utah's looming voter privacy rollback - Sen. Mike Lee's rumored AG buzz - and the subscriber-exclusive debut of the Utah Political Watch Race Ratings system. Listen to the full episode [at this link](https://special-session.transistor.fm/s1/58?ref=utahpolitics.news). [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Signature removals torpedo another Senate district in Prop. 4 repeal effort URL: https://utahpolitics.news/signature-removals-torpedo-another-senate-district-in-prop-4-repeal-effort/ Last updated: 2026-04-08T17:12:45.000Z The campaign to repeal Proposition 4, Utah’s 2018 anti-gerrymandering law, keeps backsliding. After dropping below the qualification threshold last week, new numbers Thursday show another hit: Senate District 12 slipped four signatures under the mark, pushing the repeal effort down to just 24 of the 26 state Senate districts it needs to qualify. Utahns for Representative Government, the GOP-led group behind the repeal push, initially submitted enough signatures to make the ballot. Opponents then persuaded enough voters to remove their names in Senate District 15, knocking the effort to 25 districts—one short of the 26 required. And the removals keep coming. Updated numbers released Thursday show a wave of removals hitting Senate District 12, which covers parts of West Valley City and Taylorsville. SD 12 is now four signatures below the threshold, meaning the campaign has met the requirement in only 24 of the 26 state Senate districts it needs. SD 12 is the fifth Democratic-held Senate district to fall short. The only remaining Democratic district above the bar is SD 10, represented by Sen. Luz Escamilla, with a cushion of 581 signatures. Better Boundaries, the main group behind the signature-removal campaign, said it will keep going. “We are going to continue to work and make sure that anyone across the state who was tricked or misled into signing the repeal of Proposition 4 has the opportunity to remove their signature,” Executive Director Elizabeth Rasmussen said. “Utahns of all political stripes deserve to pick their politicians, not have politicians that pick their voters. Our mission of protecting Proposition 4 and the will of the people is exactly the same as it was in 2018 when Proposition 4 was passed by voters. As long as those in power keep demanding special treatment, we will be on the side of everyday Utahns.” If the removals continue, SD 8, held by Republican Sen. Todd Weiler, could be the next to wobble. For now, it has a surplus of 255 signatures. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Utah is about to dox its voters thanks to election deniers and SB153 URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-is-about-to-dox-its-voters-thanks-to-election-deniers-and-sb153/ Last updated: 2026-04-08T14:11:48.000Z Thousands of Utah voters opened [letters from Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson](https://ltgovernor.utah.gov/uncategorized/news-release-lt-gov-henderson-sends-letters-to-voters-whose-registration-records-will-no-longer-be-private-under-new-law/?ref=utahpolitics.news) last week with an alarming message: thanks to SB153, their voter registration data is about to go back on public rolls. Names, home addresses, party affiliation and voting history (whether they voted, not how) will be posted as of May 25. If you marked your record “private” or “withheld,” that protection is about to disappear—and the statewide file is for sale. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/Tick-Tock-1.svg) ****3 days** \- Deadline for Republican and Democratic candidates for Congress to submit signatures to qualify for the primary ballot (4/10/2026) ****4 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****18 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****77 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****210 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****945 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) The change caps years of pressure from election-fraud activists and a lawsuit that lawmakers now cite as the reason they were forced to gut Utah’s voter privacy law. Here’s how Utah’s voter records were set up until now: Most registrations were public. Voters could opt to keep their information “private” for any reason. A separate “withheld” category shielded people at risk if disclosure could endanger them—think domestic violence survivors or police—and those records could not be released under any circumstances. SB153 flips that. Private and withheld records become public. There’s a carveout that can keep records sealed for domestic or dating violence victims, law enforcement, public figures and others who obtain a court protective order. Everyone else goes on the public list starting May 25. The state’s entire voter database is [available for purchase](https://vote.utah.gov/obtain-voter-registration-or-election-data/?ref=utahpolitics.news) from the lieutenant governor’s office for $1,050. Utah’s voter registration info hasn’t always been private. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Two Utah Democratic incumbents came up short on signatures. Now their fate is in the hands of delegates on Saturday URL: https://utahpolitics.news/primary-fate-now-rests-with-delegates-for-two-democratic-incumbents-who-came-up-short-on-signatures/ Last updated: 2026-04-06T14:47:15.000Z Two Democratic legislative incumbents failed to collect enough signatures to secure a spot on the June primary ballot, which means their fate will be decided at the Salt Lake County Democratic convention on Saturday. Candidates can advance to the primary by gathering signatures or by winning at least 45% support from delegates at the convention. Rep. Andrew Stoddard, D-Sandy, came up 10 signatures short of the 1,000 he needed, while Wendy Davis, who is challenging Stoddard for the Democratic nomination in House District 40, already secured a spot in the primary via signatures. Stoddard can still reach the primary by winning at least 45% support from party delegates on Saturday. If Davis clears 55% in the delegate vote, she takes the nomination, and Stoddard is done. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/Tick-Tock-1.svg) ****4 days** \- Deadline for Republican and Democratic candidates for Congress to submit signatures to qualify for the primary ballot (4/10/2026) ****5 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****19 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****78 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****211 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****946 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) The winner of the nomination will face Forward Party nominee John Jackson in November. No Republican filed. There is no Republican in the race. Stoddard won each of the last two elections by at least 16 points. Davis nearly knocked off Republican Steve Eliason in 2020, losing by just 77 votes. Democratic Rep. John Arthur, D-Holladay, won a 2025 special election to replace former Rep. Gay Lynn Bennion after she became Cottonwood Heights mayor. He initially filed to collect signatures in his bid for a full term but didn’t turn any in, according to the state website. His opponent for the Democratic nomination, Stephen Miller, also filed to collect signatures. He didn’t submit any either. If either Arthur or Miller gets 55% support at Saturday’s convention, they will wrap up the nomination for the heavily Democratic seat—Democrats won it in 2022 and 2024 by at least 26 percentage points. In the Senate District 13 race for the party nomination to replace Sen. Nate Blouin, who is running for Congress, all four Democrats signed up to collect signatures, but only Silvia Catten and Taylor Paden submitted the 2,000 needed to make the primary. Richard Whitney and Evan Done now need at least 45% from delegates to avoid elimination and join Catten and Paden on the primary ballot. Incumbent Sen. Stephanie Pitcher and her Democratic challenger, Tayler Khater, both submitted enough signatures to advance to the primary election, so Saturday’s vote is basically a straw poll. The winner of the primary will be unopposed on the ballot in November. All five Democrats seeking the nomination to replace Rep. Sandra Hollins, who is not running for another term, in House District 21 filed to collect signatures. None of them came close to the 1,000 they needed, so they all will be hoping to get at least 45% of the vote on Saturday to advance to a primary. The winner of the nomination will be unopposed in November because no Republicans filed. In House District 39, only Democrat Sarah Brough filed to collect signatures, while Drew Howells and Kevin Seal are taking the convention-only path in the race for the party nomination. Brough fell short, so delegates decide his fate on Saturday. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Utah Forward Party sits out 1st Congressional District race after delegates vote for 'no candidate' URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-forward-party-sits-out-1st-congressional-district-race-after-delegates-vote-for-no-candidate/ Last updated: 2026-04-03T19:22:42.000Z [Utah’s Forward Party](https://www.utahforwardparty.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news) delegates voted to nominate no one in two 2026 races—including the newly drawn 1st Congressional District—leaving the party off the ballot. Delegates chose the “No Candidate at this Time” option over January Walker for the CD 1 nomination. Walker previously ran as the United Utah Party’s nominee in 2022 and in the 2023 special election to replace former Rep. Chris Stewart after his resignation. The UUP [merged with the Forward Party](https://utahpolitics.news/minor-political-parties-join-forces-face-uphill-battle-in-gop-dominated-utah/) last year. The party is not fielding candidates in any other congressional races during the 2026 midterms. Party Chair Michelle Quist defended the decision by the delegates not to field a candidate. “Our process gives voters a real choice, including the choice not to nominate anyone,” party Chair Michelle Quist said in a news release, adding that in CD 1 “the voters, not party bosses, made the decision.” Cache County delegates also declined to advance Ben Shaw in state House District 3, leaving Republican Jason Thompson and unaffiliated candidate Patrick Bellmont as the only candidates in that race. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### GOP senators reportedly 'despise' Mike Lee, and they're praying Trump gives him a way out URL: https://utahpolitics.news/gop-senators-reportedly-despise-mike-lee-and-theyre-praying-trump-gives-him-a-way-out/ Last updated: 2026-04-03T15:04:22.000Z Within hours of Attorney General Pam Bondi’s firing Thursday, chatter turned to Sen. Mike Lee as a possible replacement—even as a report this week branded him the Senate GOP caucus’s “most despised” member for his SAVE Act crusade. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/Tick-Tock-1.svg) ****7 days** \- Deadline for Republican and Democratic candidates for Congress to submit signatures to qualify for the primary ballot (4/10/2026) ****8 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****22 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****81 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****214 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****949 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) Lee has been in the mix before. After Trump won a second term in 2024, [Trump’s team reached out to Lee](https://utahpolitics.news/what-would-happen-if-sen-mike-lee-joins-trumps-cabinet/) about taking a role in the administration. His name was [floated as a possible nominee](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/11/09/donald-trump-cabinet-picks/76140063007/?ref=utahpolitics.news) for the top spot at the Department of Justice. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Salt Lake County GOP says party switcher rule doesn't apply because of one word URL: https://utahpolitics.news/salt-lake-county-gop-says-party-switcher-rule-doesnt-apply-because-of-one-word/ Last updated: 2026-04-01T17:00:47.000Z The Salt Lake County Republican Party says the Utah GOP’s new one-year party registration rule doesn’t apply to its county convention—because of one word in the state constitution. Last year, the Utah GOP [added a bylaw](https://assets.nationbuilder.com/utgop/pages/11984/attachments/original/1768345425/Bylaws-amended-on-01-10-26.pdf?1768345425&ref=utahpolitics.news) requiring “a person seeking to run as a Republican candidate for partisan elected office” to show a full year of continuous GOP registration. Delegates then voted to add the rule to the [party constitution](https://assets.nationbuilder.com/utgop/pages/3173/attachments/original/1748835798/Utah%5FRepublican%5FParty%5FConstitution%5F051725.pdf?1748835798&ref=utahpolitics.news) at the state convention. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/Tick-Tock-1.svg) ****9 days** \- Deadline for Republican and Democratic candidates for Congress to submit signatures to qualify for the primary ballot (4/10/2026) ****10 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****24 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****83 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****216 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****951 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) Last month, [county leaders told Trina Christensen](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-gop-rule-aimed-at-party-switchers-may-knock-a-convention-only-republican-off-the-ballot/), a State School Board candidate, she couldn’t seek the GOP nomination at the county convention because she registered as a Republican only when she filed for office. She isn’t collecting signatures, so convention is her only path to the ballot. Blocking her would effectively hand the nomination to Nicole McDermott, who already secured a primary spot by gathering signatures. The same one-year rule was also used to sideline other would-be candidates. Earlier this week, county party chair Mike Carey reversed course and let those candidates into the convention. He did not respond to multiple requests for comment from Utah Political Watch. According to sources familiar with the decision, Carey pointed to a wording conflict: the bylaw applies to anyone “seeking to run as a Republican candidate,” but the constitution says the rule applies to a person “seeking to run as a state Republican candidate.” In Carey’s reading, that single word—“state”—limits the one-year requirement to candidates at the state convention, not county conventions. Carey also cited a state constitutional provision that lets county parties adopt their own rules, so long as they don’t conflict with state party rules. [Salt Lake County GOP bylaws](https://slcogop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/SLCoGOP-Amended-Bylaws-August2025.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news) define party membership broadly: any county resident of voting age who identifies as a Republican and supports the platform and candidates. The rule change was meant to deter last-minute party switchers from filing to run for office as Republicans. It followed a late-2024 special election to replace former state Rep. Kera Birkeland. Kris Campbell, who ran as a Democrat against Birkeland that year, switched affiliation to enter the GOP race. Republican delegates eliminated Campbell on the first ballot. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/04/2026.04.01-News-Tip.svg)](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://utahpolitics.news/send-a-confidential-news-tip/) ### Poll: McAdams leads Democratic field in Utah's 1st congressional district race URL: https://utahpolitics.news/poll-mcadams-leads-democratic-field-in-1st-district-race/ Last updated: 2026-03-31T22:11:40.000Z Former Congressman Ben McAdams leads the Democratic field in Utah’s 1st Congressional District, according to new polling released Tuesday. The poll shows a familiar split: moderates line up behind McAdams, while progressives are rallying to support state Sen. Nate Blouin. [The survey](https://www.filesforprogress.org/datasets/2026/3/dfp%5Fut01%5Fmemo%5Fcrosstabs.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news), conducted March 23–26 by Democratic firm Data for Progress, sampled 381 likely Democratic primary voters and has a margin of error of ±5 percentage points. McAdams leads with 36%, followed by Blouin at 23%. State Sen. Kathleen Riebe and Salt Lake City Council member Eva Lopez Chavez are tied at 7% each, and 25% are undecided. McAdams also tops the field in net favorability at +47, followed by Blouin at +35, Riebe at +22, Lopez Chavez at +19 and Liban Mohammed at +12. McAdams also has the highest name recognition: just 19% say they haven’t heard enough about McAdams to form an opinion, compared with 46% for Blouin, 64% for Riebe, 66% for Lopez Chavez and 80% for Mohammed. The ideological split in the polling is stark. - “Very liberal” voters back Blouin over McAdams, 38% to 21%. Riebe is at 8% and Lopez Chavez is at 5%. - Among “somewhat liberal” voters, McAdams leads with 33%, while Blouin has 17%, Lopez Chavez 11% and Riebe 10%. - Moderates break hard for McAdams, 70% to 9% over Blouin. That divide could be a deciding factor in the primary. Unlike the GOP’s closed contests, Utah Democratic primaries are open to any voter who hasn’t participated in another party’s primary—a likely edge for a well-known moderate like McAdams. - Among “very liberal” voters, Blouin’s net favorability is +46 to McAdams’ +36. - With “somewhat liberal” voters, McAdams is +53 to Blouin’s +34. - Moderates give McAdams a +64 net favorability; Blouin is +17. The Democratic state convention is set for April 25 at Jordan High School. McAdams has already qualified for the primary ballot via signatures. Blouin, Lopez Chavez, Riebe, Mohammed and Michael Farrell are still circulating petitions; the deadline to submit 7,000 valid signatures is April 10. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/03/2026.03.31-News-Tip.jpg)](https://tally.so/r/rjLaRo?ref=utahpolitics.news) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://tally.so/r/rjLaRo?ref=utahpolitics.news) ### Supreme Court strikes down Colorado's ban on conversion therapy. Utah's could survive URL: https://utahpolitics.news/supreme-court-strikes-down-colorados-ban-on-conversion-therapy-utahs-could-survive/ Last updated: 2026-04-03T12:54:14.000Z In an 8-1 decision on Tuesday morning, the U.S. Supreme Court [struck down Colorado’s ban](https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-conversion-therapy-colorado-92b34295f9ef497a4a1cbeb56c9b74c6?ref=utahpolitics.news) on so-called conversion therapy for minors—the practice that claims to change a child's sexual orientation or gender identity that major medical associations have long condemned as ineffective and harmful. Utah [banned the practice in 2023](https://le.utah.gov/~2023/bills/static/HB0228.html?ref=utahpolitics.news). [Writing for the majority](https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-539%5Ffd9g.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news), Justice Neil Gorsuch said Colorado’s law violates the First Amendment because it "censors speech based on viewpoint," in this case talk therapy. That distinction matters in Utah. Marina Lowe, policy director for Equality Utah, the group that helped negotiate Utah’s ban, said the ruling should have minimal impact on Utah’s rules because they don’t police viewpoints in the therapist's office. “Equality Utah worked in collaboration with Republican lawmakers and other stakeholders to develop alternative language designed to balance the free speech rights of licensed therapists with the need to protect minors from harmful and discredited medical practices,” Lowe said in a statement. Lowe added that because Utah created a “viewpoint neutral framework” instead of copying bans like Colorado’s, the state’s approach is “well-positioned to remain in force.” Colorado’s law broadly banned “any practice or treatment” that aimed to change sexual orientation or gender identity, which the court framed as regulating a viewpoint in speech. Utah’s rule targets intent. If a licensed professional sets out to change a minor’s orientation or identity in either direction, that’s prohibited. If the conversation is neutral about identity, acceptance or coping, it’s allowed. In other words, Utah tries to prevent the harmful outcome without dictating what a therapist can think or say about it. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/03/2026.03.31-News-Tip.jpg)](https://tally.so/r/rjLaRo?ref=utahpolitics.news) ****If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **or send your tip through our secure online form.** [Send your news tip ](https://tally.so/r/rjLaRo?ref=utahpolitics.news) ### Utah's new congressional map created 2.1 million 'orphaned voters.' Here's what that means URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utahs-new-congressional-map-created-2-1-million-orphaned-voters-heres-what-that-means/ Last updated: 2026-03-30T21:19:14.000Z Utah’s new court-ordered map scrambled the political equation for Utah’s Republican incumbents in Congress. More than 2.1 million Utahns are now “orphaned voters”—meaning their November ballots won’t include their 2024 Congressional incumbent. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****11 days** \- Deadline for Republican and Democratic candidates for Congress to submit signatures to qualify for the primary ballot (4/10/2026) ****12 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****26 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****85 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****218 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****953 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) Nowhere is this more obvious—or politically dangerous—than in the new 3rd District, where GOP Rep. Celeste Maloy is trying to win a second full term in Congress. Our analysis shows Maloy, nominally an incumbent, retains only 40% of the electorate from her previous district. Her base was anchored in rural southern and western Utah, where she spent years working with those voters, first as a staffer for former Rep. Chris Stewart, then winning the special election to replace him when he stepped down in 2023\. That district barely changed between 2011 and 2021; the new map blows that stability up. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/03/CD2-2011-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/03/CD3-2026.jpg) The new CD3 sheds big chunks of Western Utah and stretches into the Uintah Basin and Utah County’s Silicon Slopes—voters who’ve been represented by John Curtis and Mike Kennedy. Nearly 600,000 of Maloy’s likely 2026 voters haven’t seen her on a general election ballot, which means she’ll be forced to spend significant resources on introducing herself. First, she has to survive the GOP primary. Former state Rep. Phil Lyman is a real threat in CD3, and the new lines don’t do Maloy any favors. In the 2024 GOP governor’s primary, Lyman beat incumbent Spencer Cox in several counties that now sit inside CD3. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/03/CD01-2021.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/03/CD2-2026-1.jpg) Rep. Blake Moore, now in the redrawn 2nd District in northern Utah, migrates a massive chunk of his former voters from Weber and Davis Counties into the new district. More than 70% of voters from his old district land inside the new boundaries. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/03/CD03-2021.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/03/CD4-2026-1.jpg) Rep. Mike Kennedy, now running in the new 4th District, faces a problem similar to Maloy’s: only about 40% of his previous constituents — mostly in Utah and Salt Lake counties — followed him into the seat, leaving a majority of voters who haven’t seen him on a general-election ballot. He faces five Republican primary opponents, but none has Phil Lyman’s name recognition. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/03/CD04-2021.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/03/CD1-2026.jpg) The largest chunk of orphaned voters sits in the new 1st District centered on Salt Lake County. Rep. Burgess Owens chose retirement over running in a Democratic-leaning seat. Just 37% of voters from the old 4th district migrated to the new 1st district. **Methodology: Utah Political Watch joined 2020 census block populations to the 2021 and 2026 UGRC boundary files to calculate carryover and orphan rates. An orphaned voter is a resident whose 2024 congressional incumbent no longer appears on their ballot under the new map.* ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Less than 5% of Utahns signed petitions to kill Prop. 4. That's not a mandate. URL: https://utahpolitics.news/less-than-5-of-utahns-signed-petitions-to-kill-prop-4-thats-not-a-mandate/ Last updated: 2026-03-27T13:21:44.000Z After a wave of signature-removal requests sank the Prop. 4 repeal drive Thursday, Utah Republicans have been crashing out, insisting voters’ will was thwarted. The numbers say otherwise. Prop. 4 is the 2018 voter-approved anti-gerrymandering initiative that created an independent redistricting commission. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****14 days** \- Deadline for Republican and Democratic candidates for Congress to submit signatures to qualify for the primary ballot (4/10/2026) ****15 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****29 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****88 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****221 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****956 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) Utahns for Representative Government (UFRG), the GOP-led group behind the signature drive to put the repeal on the ballot, says it submitted about 225,000 signatures. Just under 172,000 of those were verified as legitimate. - Verified signatures were less than 10% of active voters statewide—only about 2 points above the 8% requirement. - The 172,000 total (before removals) is just over one-third of the 505,274 voters who opposed Prop. 4 in 2018. - It’s roughly one-third of Donald Trump’s 2016 Utah vote, and less than 20% of his 2020 and 2024 totals Organizers of the 2025 referendum to repeal the union-busting bill, HB267, collected more than 300,000 signatures in less than half the time UFRG was circulating petitions. For scale, 225,000 is only about 6.5% of Utah’s 3.5 million residents. The verified signature count is under 4.5%. Most signers were Republicans. According to voter registration numbers provided by data firm L2: - 69% were registered Republicans - 18.5% were unaffiliated - 7.3% were Democrats. GOP signers equal about 15% of active registered Republicans statewide. If that’s a mandate, it’s a very small one. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Signature removals sink Prop. 4 repeal bid. What's next? URL: https://utahpolitics.news/signature-removals-sink-prop-4-repeal-bid-whats-next/ Last updated: 2026-03-26T15:17:19.000Z The Republican-led campaign to repeal Utah’s anti-gerrymandering law won’t make November’s ballot. The proposed ballot initiative sponsored by Utahns for Representative Government (UFRG) initially cleared the bar, but a sustained signature removal push dropped the effort below the required number of signatures in one Senate district, according to new numbers released Thursday morning. Since voters approved Proposition 4 in 2018, Utah GOP leaders have repeatedly tried, and failed, to kill the law and its independent redistricting commission. - In 2020, lawmakers passed SB200 to repeal and replace Prop. 4, downgrading the commission to an advisory role. After a coalition of organizations sued, the Utah Supreme Court ruled in 2024 that lawmakers overstepped their constitutional authority. In 2025, Judge Dianna Gibson reinstated Prop. 4 and tossed the Legislature’s 2021 congressional map. - Late last year, GOP leaders floated the idea of an indirect initiative to repeal Prop. 4, which allows voters to force the legislature to vote on a proposal if they collect enough signatures. They dropped it after [Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson warned](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-gop-shifts-gears-after-anti-gerrymandering-repeal-strategy-hits-constitutional-wall/) using an indirect initiative to repeal a voter-approved direct ballot initiative would likely be unconstitutional. - UFRG then pivoted to a direct initiative to put the repeal proposal on November’s ballot. That’s the effort that just flamed out. So what now? Here’s what to watch. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Audit voids 168 late signature withdrawals, throwing Prop. 4 repeal a temporary lifeline URL: https://utahpolitics.news/audit-voids-168-late-signature-withdrawals-throwing-prop-4-repeal-a-temporary-lifeline/ Last updated: 2026-03-25T21:38:54.000Z The Republican-led push to repeal Prop. 4, Utah’s voter-approved anti-gerrymandering law, is clinging to the ballot by a few dozen signatures. On Wednesday, an audit threw 168 previously removed names back onto the rolls because the requests came in after the 45-day window, giving supporters a short reprieve from a signature-removal effort that threatens to keep the measure off November’s ballot. Prop. 4, approved by voters in 2018, created guardrails against partisan map-rigging. Utahns for Representative Government (UFRG), the Republican-led group that wants the law off the books, initially cleared two hurdles to put the issue before voters: collect signatures from 8% of voters statewide and at least 8% in 26 of Utah’s 29 Senate districts. Signers have 45 days to yank their names off petitions. Opponents have been targeting districts where a wave of removals could knock the initiative below the 8% threshold and keep the repeal off the ballot. The shakiest district is SD15, covering parts of Cottonwood Heights, Midvale and West Jordan in Salt Lake County. New totals from the lieutenant governor’s office Wednesday show 43 more removals there, trimming the surplus to just 68 signatures. It would be worse, but 44 names were restored after the Salt Lake County Clerk found their removal requests landed outside the 45-day window. Salt Lake County Clerk Lannie Chapman said her office’s review turned up 168 late removal requests, including the 44 in SD15\. Other districts with names restored: SD3, SD9, SD10, SD11, SD13, SD14, SD16, SD17, SD18, SD19 and SD22\. Three of those—SD9, SD13 and SD14—had already fallen short of the 8% mark. Without those 44, SD15’s cushion would sit at just 24 signatures. That reprieve may not last. Another 69 removals in SD15 would sink the district below the line. As of Wednesday, 3,170 SD15 signers are still within the 45-day window, a pool nearly 50 times larger than the surplus. SD8 has also taken a beating this week. 109 signatures were removed on Wednesday after losing 124 the day before. Its cushion now stands at 398 signatures, with more than 3,900 names still eligible to be removed. In SD15, April 18 is the last day the removal math still works. By then, only 69 signers remain eligible—exactly matching Wednesday’s surplus—assuming no removals before that date. In SD8, the deadline is April 17, when the pool of eligible removals drops from 402 to 90. Three districts, SD27, SD28 and SD29, no longer have enough eligible signers left to drop them below the threshold. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Utah GOP rule aimed at party switchers may knock a convention-only Republican off the ballot URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-gop-rule-aimed-at-party-switchers-may-knock-a-convention-only-republican-off-the-ballot/ Last updated: 2026-03-24T12:58:22.000Z A rule Utah Republicans passed last year to keep last‑minute party switchers from running as “Republicans” now threatens to knock a GOP hopeful off the ballot and gift her opponent the party’s nomination in a state school board race. In February 2025, the Utah Republican Party’s State Central Committee [added a bylaw](https://assets.nationbuilder.com/utgop/pages/5713/attachments/original/1746571890/Bylaws-amended-on-02%5F08%5F2025%5F-%5FFinal.pdf?1746571890&ref=utahpolitics.news) requiring anyone who wants to run under the GOP banner to be registered as a Republican for a full year before running. Delegates wrote the same language into the party constitution at the May convention. That rule is now being used to block Trina Christensen—a Republican running for the open seat in State School Board District 8—from the Salt Lake County GOP convention next month. Christensen isn’t collecting signatures, so the convention is her only path to the ballot. If she’s not on the convention ballot, she’s out. District 8 includes parts of Kearns, Taylorsville and West Jordan. Christensen’s campaign manager, Brian Chapman, says they first became aware of the potential problem on the last day of the 2026 legislative session. He contacted state and county party officials but didn’t learn Christensen would be excluded from the county convention until last week, after her campaign fliers were included in materials handed out at neighborhood caucus meetings. Chapman, who has been deeply involved in Utah Republican politics for more than two decades, says he’s puzzled by the decision, especially for a party that loves to tout the convention as the gold-standard path to the ballot over signature-gathering. “It’s baffling to me how the party is interpreting these rules,” Chapman said. “She’s trying to be a Republican and go through the convention instead of collecting signatures. They’re slamming the door in her face instead of welcoming her with open arms.” Chapman and Christensen say the disqualification followed a challenge from her opponent, Nicole McDermott, who is pursuing both the convention and signature routes. If the decision stands, McDermott effectively locks up the nomination. McDermott did not respond to a request for comment. The party registration rule falls in a gray area of Utah election law. Under SB54, parties can’t keep signature-gathering candidates off the ballot, but the law is silent on convention-only candidates. Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson’s office did not respond to questions from Utah Political Watch. Chapman says he’s continuing to plead Christensen’s case to Salt Lake County Chair Mike Carey and state Chair Rob Axson, but both have been unwilling to budge. He wouldn’t say what Christensen’s next step might be but noted she’s already sunk real money into her campaign by filing for office, hiring a campaign manager and printing materials. “I don’t see how a party can create hurdles for candidates above or beyond what’s already in state law,” he said. Carey and Axson did not respond to requests for comment. The rule change sprang from a specific scenario that arose after [Kera Birkeland unexpectedly resigned](https://utahpolitics.news/rep-kera-birkeland-resigns-from-utah-legislature/) from the Utah Legislature in late December of 2024\. Kris Campbell, the Democrat whom Birkeland had defeated in the general election a month prior, switched parties to run as a Republican in the special election to replace her. Sponsors pitched the amendment at the May convention as a way to keep opportunists from co-opting the GOP label to run for office. “This proposal would require ‘party buy-in’ in order to run as a Republican,” sponsor Aaron Bullen [wrote in a handout to delegates](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VX4%5FY%5FhoYdwUHVEpJJnNGdQHRkNJwKnTZovtQIWQNfE/edit?ref=utahpolitics.news&tab=t.0). “I fundamentally believe someone’s first act as a ‘Republican’ should not be to run for elected office.” Since the Legislature passed SB54 in 2014, allowing candidates to collect signatures to reach the primary ballot, Utah Republicans have searched for ways to steer power over party nominations back to convention delegates. Just last year, they [floated a rule change](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-gop-plan-would-boot-signature-gathering-candidates-from-party/) to strip party membership for one year from any candidate that collected signatures to get on the ballot. The proposal was yanked from the state GOP convention at the last minute. It’s ironic, then, that the first test of Bullen’s rule may block a convention-only Republican, clearing the way for the opponent who collected signatures. Christensen may not be alone. A review of voting records shows Salt Lake County sheriff candidate Shane Manwaring changed his affiliation from independent to Republican when he filed for office in January. Like Christensen, he is not collecting signatures. Manwaring did not respond to questions from Utah Political Watch. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### One more bad day and the Prop. 4 repeal misses the ballot URL: https://utahpolitics.news/one-more-bad-day-and-the-prop-4-repeal-misses-the-ballot/ Last updated: 2026-03-19T16:48:56.000Z Utah’s Prop. 4 repeal is hanging by a thread. A steady drip of signature removals has the Republican-led effort to undo the state’s voter-approved anti-gerrymandering law on the edge of missing November’s ballot. Utahns for Representative Government (UFRG) wants voters to repeal Prop. 4, the 2018 ballot initiative that created an independent redistricting commission and outlawed partisan gerrymandering. To qualify the repeal for the ballot, organizers had to collect signatures equal to 8% of active voters statewide and also reach that 8% target in 26 of Utah’s 29 Senate districts. Utah also lets voters who signed a petition remove their signature within a specified window. Opponents of the repeal effort have been taking advantage of that window, contacting signers and urging them to rescind their signatures. As of Thursday morning, updated totals show another 118 signatures removed in Senate District 15, shrinking the cushion to a paper-thin 114 above the threshold. One more day like this, and SD15 fails, taking the repeal’s ballot hopes with it. Other districts are also eroding, but not quite as rapidly: - SD12: 460 surplus signatures (12 removals today) - SD17: 577 surplus signatures (33 removals today) - SD10: 590 surplus signatures (6 removals today) - SD8: 652 surplus signatures (8 removals today) In 2018, the Count My Vote initiative, which sought to shift Utah’s elections from the caucus/convention system for nominating candidates to a direct primary election, initially submitted more than 132,000 signatures—enough to qualify the measure for the ballot. The initiative was knocked off the ballot after opponents peeled off just enough names in two Senate districts. The Utah Supreme Court later upheld the state’s removal process. Voters have 45 days from when their name is posted online to pull their signature off a petition. In SD15 alone, nearly 3,400 names are still within that window—about 29 times the size of the district’s current 114-signature surplus. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Prop. 4 repeal campaign teetering as signature removals pile up in five Senate districts URL: https://utahpolitics.news/prop-4-repeal-campaign-teetering-as-signature-removals-pile-up-in-five-senate-districts/ Last updated: 2026-03-18T20:54:39.000Z Whether Utah’s Prop 4 repeal makes the November ballot now hinges on razor-thin signature surpluses in a handful of state Senate districts. The Republican-led effort would put a repeal of Prop. 4, the anti-gerrymandering law approved by voters in 2018, on November’s ballot. Repeal backers have hit the required number of signatures in 26 of Utah’s 29 state Senate districts—the bare minimum to qualify for the ballot. But that foothold is shaky as opponents press voters to pull their names from the petitions. If any of those 26 districts fall under the threshold, the repeal doesn’t qualify. ## Most vulnerable districts Five districts in Salt Lake and Davis counties are sitting on paper-thin cushions—each with fewer than 700 surplus signatures. SD15, represented by Democrat Kathleen Riebe, is the most endangered, sitting only 232 signatures above the line. It’s also the target of a focused signature removal blitz, with 114 names taken off petitions on Wednesday alone. At that pace, SD15 will fall below the threshold by week’s end. Other districts flirting with falling below the threshold: - SD12 (Democrat Karen Kwan, D): 348 surplus signatures. - SD10 (Democrat Luz Escamilla): 596 surplus signatures. - SD17 (Republican Lincoln Fillmore): 610 surplus signatures. - SD8 (Republican Todd Weiler): 660 surplus signatures. SD17 also took a major hit on Wednesday, shedding 36 signatures. ## The removal clock Under Utah law, petition signers have 45 days from when election officials post their names online to request removal. It’s a rolling window, and in every close district, there are more than enough signatures still within that window to flip the result. In SD15 alone, nearly 3,500 signatures were posted after Feb. 2, which is about 15 times the current 232-signature cushion. - SD12: 60.8% of signatures are within the window (4.8x the surplus) - SD10: 61.1% within the window (3.7x the surplus) - SD17: 77% within the window (7.5x the surplus) - SD8: 77.3% within the window (6.5x the surplus) ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### The fundamentals say Republicans are headed for a midterm drubbing in 2026 URL: https://utahpolitics.news/the-fundamentals-say-republicans-are-headed-for-a-midterm-drubbing-in-2026/ Last updated: 2026-03-18T14:48:34.000Z Barring a miracle, the GOP is on track for a midterm shellacking in 2026, and the fundamentals tell a brutal tale. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****24 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****38 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****97 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****230 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****965 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Rep. Jefferson Burton heads for the exit URL: https://utahpolitics.news/rep-jefferson-burton-heads-for-the-exit/ Last updated: 2026-03-17T14:09:06.000Z Two-term Republican Rep. Jefferson Burton is bowing out of his re‑election bid, saying he’s moving outside the Utah House district he’s represented since 2023\. He [announced the decision](https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EYFbMkuxc/) on Facebook on Monday. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****Neighborhood caucus night is tonight.** (3/17/2026) ****25 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****39 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****98 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****231 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****966 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) “Serving you has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Burton wrote, after noting his 37 years in the U.S. Army and National Guard and his stint in the governor’s cabinet. 🗳️ Check out our [2026 Utah legislative candidate tracker](https://utahpolitics.news/2026-utah-candidate-tracker/) His exit leaves two Republicans—Matthew Durant and Jackie Larson—to vie for the nomination at the Utah County GOP convention. Neither is collecting signatures, so the convention winner advances—and with no Democrat filing for the race, will face no opposition in November. Burton becomes the 14th House member to skip re-election this year. Two of them, Reps. Jill Koford and Doug Fiefia, are running for seats in the Utah Senate. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Trump's DOJ wants Utah's full voter list. The NAACP is fighting the data grab URL: https://utahpolitics.news/trumps-doj-wants-utahs-full-voter-list-the-naacp-is-fighting-the-data-grab/ Last updated: 2026-03-16T15:38:40.000Z The Trump Justice Department wants Utah’s full voter list, including birthdates, addresses and driver’s license or parts of social security numbers. The NAACP is trying to stop it, warning that handing over sensitive data will chill voter registration and put already targeted communities at risk. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****Neighborhood caucus night is tomorrow.** (3/17/2026) ****26 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****40 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****99 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****232 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****967 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### GOP group drops lawsuit targeting Prop. 4 signature removals URL: https://utahpolitics.news/gop-group-drops-lawsuit-targeting-prop-4-signature-removals/ Last updated: 2026-03-13T16:04:21.000Z [Utahns for Representative Government](https://www.ufrg.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news) (UFRG)—the Republican-led group pushing to repeal Prop. 4, Utah’s voter‑approved anti‑gerrymandering law—abruptly dropped [its lawsuit](https://utahpolitics.news/the-prop-4-repeal-appears-headed-to-the-ballot-so-why-are-they-suing-to-stop-signature-removals/) aiming to stop the coordinated campaign urging voters to pull their names off the repeal petitions. UFRG has gathered enough raw signatures to qualify the repeal on November’s ballot. Opponents, led by [Better Boundaries](https://betterboundaries.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news) and Utahns for Responsive Government (URG), are working to persuade signers to remove their signatures, which could keep the measure off the ballot. In its now-abandoned suit, UFRG argued that opponents’ “signature‑removal kits”—mailers with pre‑filled forms and a prepaid return envelope to county clerks—broke the rules. The postage, UFRG said, was an illegal “payment” to induce removals, and the pre‑filled info meant voters weren’t acting on their own. UFRG asked a judge to order clerks to toss any removal requests sent with those prefilled forms. A Friday morning hearing in the case was suddenly cancelled after UFRG filed a motion to dismiss the suit. Utah GOP chair Rob Axson, who heads UFRG, didn’t respond to a request for comment. Better Boundaries Executive Director Elizabeth Rasmussen said it is unclear to them why UFRG bailed. “We can’t comment on the legal strategy behind that decision, but our focus remains the same: helping Utahns remove their signatures if they believe they were misled or lied to during the petition process,” Rasmussen said in a statement. In the final hours of the 2026 Utah Legislature, lawmakers made a change to an election bill to ban voters from requesting signature removals using prepaid postage. Gov. Spencer Cox signed it less than 24 hours later, and it took effect immediately. Before the dismissal, 14 voters who asked to remove their signatures moved to intervene in the case. They argued they were misled by signature gatherers, and in one case, never signed at all and believe their signature was forged. They argued that UFRG’s lawsuit was not valid because, before lawmakers’ late-session change, Utah election law had no basis to invalidate removal forms over prepaid postage or prefilled info. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Republicans got the Prop. 4 repeal on the ballot. Democrats and independents could knock it off URL: https://utahpolitics.news/republicans-got-the-prop-4-repeal-on-the-ballot-democrats-and-independents-could-knock-it-off/ Last updated: 2026-03-12T17:10:59.000Z Registered Republicans powered the Prop. 4 repeal petition across the line. Irony alert: Democrats and independents may be the ones who keep it off the 2026 ballot. Prop. 4 is the anti-gerrymandering law passed by voters in 2018. As of Thursday morning, Utahns for Representative Government (UFRG), the group behind the repeal effort, had 165,703 verified signatures statewide and had cleared the threshold in 26 state Senate districts—enough to qualify for November’s ballot. UFRG is headed by Utah Republican Party leaders. Utah Political Watch matched about 85% of petition signers to the statewide voter file using voter registration information [provided by L2](https://www.l2-data.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news), a political data warehousing firm. Of those matched signers, nearly 71% were Republicans, about 18% were unaffiliated, and just over 6% were Democrats. Opponents of the repeal campaign have been urging those who signed the petition to remove their signatures. So far, the removal push has been largely indiscriminate, hitting Republicans, Democrats and non-partisan voters alike. But the data shows a soft spot. In several qualified districts, the remaining pool of Democratic and unaffiliated signers alone is big enough to erase the current cushion and knock the repeal off the ballot—no Republican signatures required. In 12 of the 26 Senate districts that have qualified, the combined remaining Democratic and unaffiliated signers exceed the current surplus. If the removal effort targets those, one or more districts could slip below the threshold. - SD12 is 522 signatures over the line; the remaining Democratic and unaffiliated pool is 1,186. - SD15 has a surplus of 539 signatures. There are 1,100+ Democratic and unaffiliated signatures left. - SD10 is 626 signatures over. More than 1,200 Democratic and unaffiliated signatures remain. (Note: It’s unknown how many of these signatures fall outside the statutory removal window, which would shrink the target pool.) SD15 saw 119 signatures removed from its total according to Thursday’s updated numbers. SD10 dropped by 77 signatures and SD12 fell by 55. As of Thursday’s update, SD 15 lost 119 signatures, SD 10 dropped 77, and SD 12 fell by 55. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Karianne Lisonbee challenges Blake Moore in 2nd Congressional District redistricting rumble URL: https://utahpolitics.news/karianne-lisonbee-challenges-blake-moore-in-2nd-congressional-district-redistricting-rumble/ Last updated: 2026-03-10T17:32:55.000Z [As first reported by Utah Political Watch last week](https://utahpolitics.news/sorting-out-the-utah-gop-congressional-field-lisonbee-preps-a-run-while-maloy-moves-to-signatures/), Utah state Rep. Karianne Lisonbee, R-Clearfield, is jumping into the 2nd Congressional District Republican primary, taking aim at Rep. Blake Moore over his role in Utah’s anti‑gerrymandering fight. She announced her bid on social media Tuesday. > Today I announced I’m running for Congress in Utah's 2nd District. Northern Utah deserves a representative who fights for our conservative values. > > Join me.[https://t.co/3I4iW3znzz](https://t.co/3I4iW3znzz?ref=utahpolitics.news) > > — Karianne Lisonbee (@KariLisonbee) [March 10, 2026](https://twitter.com/KariLisonbee/status/2031391721637163210?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) As expected, Lisonbee is attacking Moore for his work with Better Boundaries on Prop. 4, the 2018 ballot initiative that created an independent redistricting commission in Utah. A judge ruled last August that the GOP‑controlled legislature unconstitutionally repealed Prop. 4\. That ruling also tossed out the congressional map and put a new one in place that creates a Democratic-leaning district in Salt Lake County. “By siding with the radical left, Blake Moore not only put a Republican majority at risk but the entire Trump agenda,” she told [the New York Post](https://nypost.com/2026/03/10/us-news/top-house-republican-faces-primary-revolt-over-utah-redistricting-doing-more-to-make-hakeem-jeffries-speaker/?utm%5Fmedium=social&utm%5Fsource=twitter&utm%5Fcampaign=nypost). “He (Moore) worked with the Democrat establishment to take power away from the people’s elected representatives and put it in the hands of activist judges.” Moore, a member of House GOP leadership, starts with a towering cash advantage. His latest filings show [$2.2 million cash on hand](https://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/forms/C00738872/1940609/?ref=utahpolitics.news) in his campaign account; his [Expect More leadership PAC](https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00757922?ref=utahpolitics.news) holds just over $17,000, and his [Team Moore joint fundraising committee](https://www.fec.gov/data/committee/C00757930/?ref=utahpolitics.news) has about $22,000 available. As of Tuesday morning, Lisonbee has not yet filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission. This is the fourth straight cycle Moore has drawn a Republican challenger; he’s been forced into a primary every time he’s been on the ballot. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Salt Lake GOP books MAGA influencer Nick Shirley for $10K-a-table fundraiser after Kari Lake said no URL: https://utahpolitics.news/salt-lake-gop-books-maga-influencer-nick-shirley-for-10k-a-table-fundraiser-after-kari-lake-said-no/ Last updated: 2026-03-10T14:23:17.000Z After striking out on their first choice, the Salt Lake County GOP is settling for [MAGA influencer Nick Shirley](https://www.npr.org/2025/12/31/nx-s1-5662600/nick-shirley-minnesota-daycare-fraud?ref=utahpolitics.news), best known for videos [peddling unverified, sensational fraud claims](https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0108/minneapolis-fraud-somalia-nick-shirley?ref=utahpolitics.news), as the headliner for their March 21 Lincoln Day fundraiser. Their dream date was Kari Lake, the twice-failed Arizona candidate (governor in 2022, U.S. Senate in 2024), who built her brand by promoting false claims that Donald Trump’s loss in the 2020 presidential election was due to electoral fraud. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****3 days** \- Last day candidates can file to run for Congress (3/13/2026) ****7 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****32 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****47 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****106 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****238 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****973 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) “We tried to get Kari Lake and a few others. She couldn’t clear it by ethics review because of her role in the federal government, so she was unable to accept our invitation,” party chair Mike Carey said in a text message. President Donald Trump appointed her as a senior advisor to the U.S. Agency for Global Media (which oversees Voice of America), then promoted her to acting CEO in July 2025\. She spent four months systematically dismantling the agency—laying off virtually all full-time staffers, axing every contractor, and cutting a deal to carry content from One America News Network. Then last week [a federal judge ruled](https://www.ms.now/news/judge-voids-kari-lakes-mass-layoffs-at-voice-of-america?ref=utahpolitics.news) Lake was improperly appointed because she was never confirmed by the U.S. Senate, and that every action taken during her four-month tenure (she left in November 2025) [is now legally void](https://www.axios.com/2026/03/08/kari-lakes-usagm-voice-of-america?ref=utahpolitics.news). Carey won’t say what Shirley’s speaking fee is costing them. For context, Phil Lyman shelled out $25,000 during his 2024 gubernatorial run to bring Riley Gaines (the former swimmer turned culture warrior) to a Utah campaign event. The party’s banking on ticket sales for the fundraising event at the Loveland Aquarium to cover whatever they’re paying Shirley. [Tickets for the dinner](https://slcogop.com/lincoln-day-dinner-2026/?ref=utahpolitics.news) run from $150 for an individual all the way up to $10,000 to sponsor a ten-person table. Shirley is not the only high-profile headliner for a political fundraiser in the Beehive State this spring. The Washington County GOP already [hosted conservative commentator Benny Johnson](https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18Qfonh7x9/) at their February Lincoln Day bash, while the [Weber County GOP](https://www.webergop.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news) is bringing in [Sam Adolphsen](https://thefga.org/press/fga-policy-director-sam-adolphsen-named-to-key-trump-administration-position/?ref=utahpolitics.news), who is the Deputy Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy on the [White House Policy Council](https://www.whitehouse.gov/internships/presidential-departments/?ref=utahpolitics.news). It’s not just Republicans. The Weber County Democratic Party is hosting Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin for their [Orton and McKay dinner ](https://www.weberdemocrats.org/post/special-guest-speaker-for-2026-orton-and-mckay-dinner?ref=utahpolitics.news)on Sunday, while Salt Lake County Democrats have booked [Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs](https://www.slcountydems.com/politisauce?ref=utahpolitics.news) as the speaker for their Politisauce fundraiser on March 30. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Trevor Lee's 'Diversity isn't our strength' post wasn't a hot take—it was a white supremacist copy/paste URL: https://utahpolitics.news/trevor-lees-diversity-isnt-our-strength-post-wasnt-a-hot-take-it-was-a-white-supremacist-copy-paste/ Last updated: 2026-03-09T15:11:57.000Z Utah Rep. Trevor Lee didn’t just post a hot take on social media last week. He copy-pasted one straight from the white nationalist playbook and slapped his name on it. And this wasn't a one-off. Lee, a Republican from Layton whose anti-immigration bills stalled during the 2026 session, has spent recent months borrowing vocabulary from the far-right fringe. Last week's X/Twitter post just happened to be the least subtle version yet. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****Today** is the first day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****8 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****33 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****48 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****107 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****239 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****974 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) The post read, “Diversity isn’t our strength. It lowers your wages, marginalises (sic) your culture, increases your crime, fills your hospitals, occupies your housing, ruins your schools, consumes your taxes, tightens your laws, restricts your freedoms, endangers your children, and calls you racist.” > Diversity isn't our strength. It lowers your wages, marginalises your culture, increases your crime, fills your hospitals, occupies your housing, ruins your schools, consumes your taxes, tightens your laws, restricts your freedoms, endangers your children, and calls you racist. > > — Trevor Lee (@VoteTrevorLee) [March 5, 2026](https://twitter.com/VoteTrevorLee/status/2029559279955636627?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) X/Twitter post from Utah Rep. Trevor Lee It would be easy to wave it off as an online tantrum or Lee self-soothing after his anti-immigration bills stalled during the 2026 session. But it wasn’t original—and it wasn’t harmless. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### GOP's midnight heist to split Salt Lake County was five seconds too late URL: https://utahpolitics.news/gops-midnight-heist-to-split-salt-lake-county-was-five-seconds-too-late/ Last updated: 2026-03-07T19:53:10.000Z On the final night of the 2026 Utah Legislature, the Republican majority rammed through a bill to split the state’s largest and most Democratic county in two. Just one problem: they did it five seconds past the constitutional deadline. [HB212](https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0212.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) from Rep. Jordan Teusher, R-South Jordan, lowers the barrier for creating a new county out of an existing one, specifically targeting counties with over 1 million residents, which currently only applies to Salt Lake County. A city or municipality with at least one-third of the county’s population can pass a resolution to trigger a feasibility study and election to secede and form a new county. There is no single city in Salt Lake County that matches that criteria, but the bill allows smaller cities to band together if they make up at least a third of the population. The final vote on HB212 was in the Utah Senate, where it passed 17-12\. But the final two votes on the bill from Sen. Ron Winterton, R-Roosevelt, and Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, came after the clock had turned over to midnight. An analysis of the video shows Adams did not cast his vote in the affirmative until approximately five seconds after midnight. The official video board in the Senate clearly reads “Day 46” and notes the date as March 7 when Adams announces the results of the vote. 0:00 /1:27 1× Utah Senate video of the final vote on HB212 Those five seconds could blow up the whole thing. Under Utah’s Constitution, the annual legislative session is strictly limited to 45 calendar days. The legislature operates on a hard “midnight” deadline for the 45th day under Utah code and legislative rules, which both say the House and Senate must cease their business at midnight. The official legislative record for HB212 records the vote at midnight on March 7, which is the exact moment their authority to conduct business had expired, meaning the vote came too late. Either that timestamp will invalidate the bill, or it could open a path to challenge the law in court. Proponents argue Salt Lake County is too large and “unwieldy” to govern, and residents in the south and western portions of the valley have different needs than those in the county’s urban core. Opponents, including Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson, argue it’s a politically motivated effort to dilute the influence of the state’s largest county, which just happens to be Democratic-leaning, and that it could lead to significant tax increases for residents. Teuscher sponsored a similar bill last year, but [HB533](https://le.utah.gov/~2025/bills/static/HB0533.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) died without being considered by lawmakers. If Adams playing fast and loose with procedural rules sounds familiar, it should. At the start of the 2025 session, the Senate [moved to nominate Adams for another term](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-senate-math-apparently-no-means-yes/) as president by acclamation. When the motion was put up for a vote, then-Sen. Daniel Thatcher clearly said “no.” Under parliamentary rules, the motion fails if there’s a single no vote. Thatcher’s objection was improperly ignored, and Adams was declared elected “by acclamation.” According to the official Senate journal, Thatcher’s no vote [has still not been acknowledged](https://le.utah.gov/interim/2025/pdf/00003652.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news). ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Sorting out the Utah GOP congressional field: Lisonbee preps a run while Maloy moves to signatures URL: https://utahpolitics.news/sorting-out-the-utah-gop-congressional-field-lisonbee-preps-a-run-while-maloy-moves-to-signatures/ Last updated: 2026-03-06T16:24:36.000Z The Republican congressional chessboard in Utah is finally moving—but a few of the pieces look a bit wobbly. Rep. Blake Moore looks to be in for another intraparty brawl. Former House Majority Whip Karianne Lisonbee told reporters on Thursday that she is “considering” challenging Moore in the 2nd Congressional District. GOP sources say the decision is effectively made, with the official announcement likely next week. Lisonbee did not respond to questions from Utah Political Watch. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****Today** is the final day of the 2026 Utah Legislature (3/6/2026) ****3 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****11 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****36 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****51 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****110 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****242 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****977 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) Some Republicans think Moore could be vulnerable to a primary challenge because of his work with Better Boundaries to put Prop. 4 on the ballot in 2018\. That anti-gerrymandering measure has become a scarlet letter among some in the GOP base. Republicans are driving the current repeal effort, with registered GOP voters making up more than 70% of petition signers. Moore is currently collecting signatures to qualify for a spot on the primary ballot. Lisonbee was first elected to the Utah House in 2016, after her predecessor, Rep. Curt Oda, effectively cleared the lane for her to succeed him. That year, there were persistent rumors that Oda was planning to retire, which he dismissed. When the candidate filing period opened, he submitted paperwork to run for re-election. On the final day of the filing period, Lisonbee, who was a member of the Syracuse City Council, jumped into the race. A few days later, Oda withdrew, leaving Lisonbee as the only Republican in the contest. Jumping from Capitol Hill (the small one) to Capitol Hill (the big one) is rare in Utah. Rep. Mike Kennedy did it last year, moving directly from the Utah Senate to the U.S. House. The last person to do that before Kennedy was former Utah House Speaker Howard Nielsen, who ran for the newly created 3rd Congressional District in 1982 and won. Jim Hansen also jumped to Congress in 1980 after serving four terms in the Utah House. - Ben McAdams, who was elected to Congress in 2018, moved from the Utah Senate to Salt Lake County Mayor before heading to Congress. - Rob Bishop was a longtime member of the Utah House, even serving a stint as Utah House Speaker. He was retired from the Utah Legislature for nearly a decade before winning a seat in Congress in 2002. Moore will likely have a massive campaign cash advantage over Lisonbee. His latest campaign finance disclosure shows he has $2.2 million cash on hand. He’s also a member of leadership in the House Republican Caucus, which should unlock even more resources should he need them. Lisonbee has about $23,000 in her legislative campaign account, but that money cannot be transferred to a federal race. Moore, who has been forced into a primary election every cycle since his first race in 2020, is collecting signatures to secure his place on the ballot. Moore has never won the delegate vote at the GOP convention. - In 2020, he finished second at the convention to Kerry Gibson. Moore won the four-way GOP primary race that year by fewer than 3,000 votes. - Two years later, Moore was defeated at the GOP convention by Andrew Badger. He handily defeated Badger and Tina Cannon in the GOP primary. - In 2024, Moore lost the GOP convention vote to Paul Miller. Moore cruised to an easy victory over Miller in the primary election. Meanwhile, [Burgess Owens’ retirement](https://utahpolitics.news/burgess-owens-bows-out-as-new-map-turns-blue/) spared Republicans from an intra-party fight between Reps. Celeste Maloy and Mike Kennedy, in the 3rd District Rep. Mike Kennedy, who lives in Utah’s 3rd District, jumped to run in the 4th District. It’s not much of a shift since the district line sits just to the east of his Alpine home. If he wins in the new district, he would join the list of Utah members of Congress not to live in the district he represents: - Jason Chaffetz lived just outside the 3rd Congressional District when he was first elected in 2008\. When the maps were redrawn in 2011, he was moved inside the district boundaries. - After the Utah Legislature redrew the congressional map in the 2011 redistricting cycle, Democrat Jim Matheson jumped from the 2nd District, where he lived, to the newly created 4th District. He defeated Republican Mia Love in 2012, but did not run for another term in 2014. - Reps. Blake Moore and Burgess Owens did not live inside their districts when they were first elected to Congress in 2020. Rep. Celeste Maloy has already shifted tactics in her race after [Phil Lyman announced](https://utahpolitics.news/phil-lyman-is-back-and-hes-gunning-for-celeste-maloy-in-utahs-3rd-district/) he was challenging her for the GOP nomination in the 3rd District on Thursday. She now says [she will gather signatures](https://www.deseret.com/politics/2026/03/05/celeste-maloy-run-new-seat/?ref=utahpolitics.news) to secure a spot on the primary ballot. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVhI3qnkyXh/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Bryan Schott (@schotthappens)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVhI3qnkyXh/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) That’s a dramatic shift, after she eschewed the signature path in both of her previous elections. - In the 2023 special election after her boss, Rep. Chris Stewart, unexpectedly retired, Maloy did not collect signatures and pulled off an upset win in the GOP convention over former House Speaker Greg Hughes. She won the GOP primary that year over Bruce Hough and Becky Edwards, who both collected signatures to appear on the ballot. - Two years later, she doubled down on the strategy, publicly stating she would not gather signatures and only seek the GOP nomination through the convention process. That almost backfired as she narrowly avoided elimination at the convention by 30 votes. Now with Lyman in the race, she’s hedging her bets. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Phil Lyman is back, and he's gunning for Celeste Maloy in Utah's 3rd District URL: https://utahpolitics.news/phil-lyman-is-back-and-hes-gunning-for-celeste-maloy-in-utahs-3rd-district/ Last updated: 2026-03-05T16:19:47.000Z He’s baaaack—and this time he wants a seat in Congress. Former Rep. Phil Lyman, who’s still contesting his 2024 loss to Gov. Spencer Cox, jumped into the race for for Utah’s 3rd Congressional District on Thursday. “I am running for Congress to restore transparency to our government. Utahns deserve to know exactly what is happening behind closed doors,” Lyman said in his announcement. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****Tomorow** is the final day of the 2026 Utah Legislature (3/6/2026) ****4 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****12 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****37 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****52 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****111 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****243 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****978 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) It’s easy to dismiss Lyman as a serious candidate. Since his narrow loss to Spencer Cox in the 2024 Utah Republican gubernatorial primary, Lyman has worked to cast doubt on Cox’s ballot qualification and the election itself—a crusade that plays well with the activist base that dominates Utah Republican conventions. That matters because incumbent Rep. Celeste Maloy looks wobbly. She nearly got bounced at last year’s GOP convention when challenger Colby Jenkins pulled 57% of delegates, and she scraped by in the primary by all of 176 votes. Maloy isn’t collecting signatures to guarantee a ballot spot, so her fate again is up to convention delegates. Lyman is wildly popular among that crowd, which gives him a legitimate path to victory. The new congressional map changes the dynamics of the race. It sheds chunks of the Wasatch Front and counties along the western side of the state (say goodbye to parts of Salt Lake, Davis, Millard, Juab and Tooele). The new boundaries stretches east into the Uintah basin, adding San Juan, Grand, Emery, Carbon, Uintah, Daggett, Duchesne, plus Wasatch, Summit, Morgan and parts of Utah and Weber. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/03/2026.03.05-Old-2nd-District-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/03/2026.03.05-New-3rd-District-1.jpg) Maloy has leaned hard on her “rural roots”—she’s the only member of Utah’s delegation from rural Utah. But Lyman, from Blanding, can make the same claim and neutralize that pitch to voters. She’s also built her brand on public lands fights, promising to check “federal overreach.” Lyman actually one-ups her there. He’s one of the state’s loudest critics of federal land management and argues Washington’s control of Utah land is unconstitutional. Both candidates have strong ties to President Donald Trump. Trump gave Maloy his “Complete and Total Endorsement” before the 2024 GOP primary election, which likely helped her campaign fend off a strong challenge from Jenkins. Trump has never endorsed Lyman, but he has something he touts as even better: Trump pardoned him in 2020 for his conviction over that 2014 ATV protest ride through Recapture Canyon, and Lyman brandished the pardon as a proxy for Trump’s blessing in his governor run. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Utah redrew the lines. Burgess Owens tapped out. URL: https://utahpolitics.news/burgess-owens-bows-out-as-new-map-turns-blue/ Last updated: 2026-03-04T22:35:25.000Z Utah Rep. Burgess Owens said Wednesday he’s not running for re‑election, exiting before a newly drawn, Salt Lake County–centered district rated “solid Democratic” reshapes the state’s congressional map—and his electoral options. “After careful reflection, I have concluded that to continue this work, the next chapter of my mission would be best pursued outside elected office,” Owens said in a [statement posted online Wednesday afternoon](https://x.com/BurgessOwens/status/2029317271940702230?ref=utahpolitics.news). > [https://t.co/elrxy02Uoe](https://t.co/elrxy02Uoe?ref=utahpolitics.news) > > — Burgess Owens (@BurgessOwens) [March 4, 2026](https://twitter.com/BurgessOwens/status/2029317271940702230?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) Owens, a former NFL player, first won his seat in 2020, edging out incumbent Democrat Ben McAdams by 3,765 votes after a four‑way GOP primary. His exit follows a massive shift in Utah’s congressional map that carves out a Salt Lake County-centered congressional seat the Cook Political Report pegs as “solid Democratic” (D+12). Owens lives in the new 4th District, a “solid Republican” seat (R+17), but the political squeeze is elsewhere. By stepping aside, he likely averts a same-district scrum among other GOP congressional incumbents. Without his retirement, Rep. Mike Kennedy was [reportedly eyeing a challenge](https://utahpolitics.news/owens-bows-out-kennedy-vs-maloy-utah-republicans-squeezed-by-new-congressional-map/) to Rep. Celeste Maloy for the 3rd District’s GOP nomination—an intra‑party knife fight that Utah’s new lines were setting up. Owens' exit also wiped out the House’s current roster of Black Republicans for the next term: Byron Donalds is running for Florida governor, John James is running for Michigan governor, and Wesley Hunt lost the Texas GOP Senate primary on Tuesday. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### A Utah GOP dissident sued party leaders and lost. Now they want $92K and a leash on future lawsuits URL: https://utahpolitics.news/a-utah-gop-dissident-sued-party-leaders-and-lost-now-they-want-92k-and-a-leash-on-future-lawsuits/ Last updated: 2026-03-05T00:10:22.000Z Utah Republican Party leaders want a federal judge to make the plaintiffs in a sprawling federal “election conspiracy” lawsuit pay nearly $93,000 in legal fees—and ban them from filing future lawsuits without a judge's permission first. The motion, filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Salt Lake City, calls the lawsuit brought by Tracie Halvorsen and a handful of other plaintiffs “procedural vandalism” and says it was designed to bleed unpaid party leaders financially. For anyone who has been following Halvorsen’s increasingly aggressive campaign against SB54, Utah’s hybrid ballot-access law, the motion reads less like a legal filing and more like an itemized bill for causing several years of political chaos. SB54, passed in 2014, created the state’s dual-track to the primary ballot through either the traditional caucus-convention system, by collecting signatures or both. The law has enraged Republican Party hard-liners who want convention delegates to control nominations. Halvorsen has been a persistent and polarizing presence in Utah Republican politics. She was part of the effort to undo Utah’s new state flag and was a central player in Phil Lyman’s numerous efforts to overturn his 2024 Utah gubernatorial election loss. She ran unsuccessfully for Salt Lake County GOP chair. Last month, the [Salt Lake County GOP banned Halvorsen](https://utahpolitics.news/salt-lake-county-gop-bans-seven-members-through-2030-after-endorsement-dispute-spirals-into-criminal-allegations/) from most party events through May 2030 after she accused party leaders of "illegal election interference" over a plan to endorse candidates in municipal elections and blasted out letters to city attorneys, the FBI and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. She’s now challenging Sen. Dan McCay for the GOP nomination in Senate District 18. ## The Lawsuit In November, Halvorsen fronted [a massive federal lawsuit](https://utahpolitics.news/phil-lyman-supporters-sue-to-boot-cox-curtis-and-brown-from-office-replace-them-with-republican-convention-winners-instead/) to oust Gov. Spencer Cox, Sen. John Curtis and Attorney General Derek Brown from office and replace them with the candidates who won the delegate vote at the Republican convention—a theory that multiple courts had already rejected. The lawsuit, which spawned Monday’s motion, alleged a vast racketeering and election fraud conspiracy, claiming that SB54 is illegal because Republican Party bylaws only allow the caucus/convention route and that giving candidates a “second chance” via signatures violates GOP rights. It accused Cox and Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson of manipulating election results by declaring signature-gathering candidates had won elections over convention-only rivals. Halvorsen and her co-plaintiffs argued the law was unconstitutional and that Utah Republican Party leaders were violating their rights by refusing to help defy it. The problem: those arguments had already been rejected by the Utah Supreme Court and the Tenth Circuit—decisions the plaintiffs themselves cited in their own complaint. Judge Howard Nielson tossed the case in just three sentences, writing the plaintiffs' core legal theory was "plainly controlled" by those prior rulings. ## Procedural Vandalism The motion says the point wasn’t winning; it was trying to inflict costs on the Utah Republican Party defendants: Party Chair Rob Axson, Treasurer Chris Null and National Committeewoman Kim Coleman. Halvorsen even tried to block the Utah GOP from paying their lawyers. The trio, all unpaid volunteers, say they personally covered $92,843 for more than 150 hours of attorney time. The filing quotes[ a Facebook post](https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18AJw2nH62/?mibextid=wwXIfr) from Halvorsen when the complaint was filed, in which she wrote, "Can you imagine the amount of money each defendant will have to spend in order to defend themselves?. How much will an attorney cost to read a 20-pound complaint?" As for the supposed civil rights violations, the complaint boils down to this: - Axson sent an email calling Halvorsen's legal theory "meritless"— ajudgment the court ultimately validated - Party leaders called police to remove Halvorsen from a September 2024 Republican Central Committee meeting after she refused to leave. That incident was cited in the Salt Lake County GOP disciplinary proceedings, where Halvorsen was separately found guilty of disruptive behavior at party meetings. ## A pattern of frivolous litigation The motion also lays out what the defendants call a coordinated pattern of frivolous lawsuits filed by Halvorsen and her father, Steven Huber. The pair have collectively sued 20 different entities and individuals across three cases, including the U.S. government (twice), the State of Utah, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, the U.S. District Court, two federal judges, three court clerks, the Utah Supreme Court chief justice, Utah’s governor and lieutenant governor, Utah Senate President Stuart Adams, Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz, two state senators, and four Bureau of Land Management employees. One pending case involves a BLM land-access dispute in which Huber allegedly refused to pay a standard easement application fee. Instead, he filed a lawsuit in July 2025 alleging that the Department of the Interior and four BLM employees accusing them of robbery and extortion for denying him access across federal land for him to reach his property. The case is valued at $90 million. Halvorsen referenced that lawsuit in written threats to Salt Lake County GOP leaders during the endorsement dispute last year, warning that BLM agents "are being sued individually and in their official capacities" and that "the attorney bills are over $100,000 and they have not even had a court hearing." At a status conference in that lawsuit, Huber was upset when the judge would not let Halvorsen sit next to him and act as his legal counsel. She isn’t a licensed lawyer. He then petitioned the Tenth Circuit to disqualify the judge and bar government lawyers from representing the individual defendants, presumably so they would have to bear the legal costs on their own. He also asked the court to enter an order allowing him to have whomever he chose—“including, but not limited to, his trusted daughter—sit beside him during any court proceedings.” The Tenth Circuit quickly dismissed the petition; Huber responded by suing the clerk who entered the order. That case was later stayed by Chief Judge Jill Parrish during a government funding lapse. In December, Huber filed yet another lawsuit, accusing judges, court clerks, and federal prosecutors in the first lawsuit of participating in a racketeering scheme to deny him his rights when they ruled against him in the first lawsuit and for staying the case. He also included multiple civil rights claims. The Utah GOP defendants want two things: an order making all six plaintiffs pay the $92,843 in legal fees, and restrictions forcing Halvorsen and Huber to get the chief judge’s approval before filing any new federal case—a remedy the Tenth Circuit has previously approved for serial vexatious litigants. The motion also notes that Halvorsen has threatened a fourth lawsuit, targeting Utah legislators for sponsoring [HB260](https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0260.html?ref=utahpolitics.news), a bill cracking down on the unauthorized practice of law, which she has allegedly engaged in across all three lawsuits. “This fourth lawsuit, if filed, will once again inevitably be dismissed because of absolute legislative immunity, but it will be an expensive nuisance to the individuals Plaintiff Halvorsen sues, and to the state of Utah,” the filing warns. “Plaintiffs Halvorsen and Huber have an extensive history and established pattern of filing frivolous and abusive lawsuits against public servants, and they are actively threatening to do it again.” The plaintiffs have not yet filed a response. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Owens bows out? Kennedy vs. Maloy? Utah Republicans squeezed by new congressional map URL: https://utahpolitics.news/owens-bows-out-kennedy-vs-maloy-utah-republicans-squeezed-by-new-congressional-map/ Last updated: 2026-03-04T16:29:24.000Z Utah finally settled its congressional map for the 2026 midterms, and the filing window opens Monday. It’s time for a high-stakes game of Republican musical chairs, which is complicated by a newly minted Salt Lake County-centered district that leans heavily blue. Whoever wins the Democratic nomination in the new 1st District starts with the wind at their back, which explains why there’s a stampede of eight Democratic candidates already in the race. The Cook Political Report rates the new district as “Solid Democratic” with a partisan voting index of D+12\. Democrats Joe Biden and Kamala Harris would have carried the district by a hefty margin, more than 20 points, in 2020 and 2024\. Democrat Caroline Gleich would have topped Republican John Curtis there by 14 points in the 2024 U.S. Senate contest. That doesn’t mean the district is a lost cause for Republicans. Voter registration data provided by L2 shows Republicans make up a narrow plurality of voters at just under 35%, independents sit just over 33%, and Democrats are about 25%. That suggests there is a very narrow path to victory for a Republican candidate in the district, albeit a narrow one. It would likely take a moderate or centrist who can consolidate Republicans and win independents. Utah’s four current GOP members of Congress are too skewed pro-Trump to pull off a win on this turf. That means there are three seats for four Republicans. Where do they run? We start to find out Monday. One wrinkle might resolve itself before the filing period opens. Sources close to Rep. Burgess Owens say he’s expected to announce he’s retiring rather than chase a fourth term. Reps. Mike Kennedy and Celeste Maloy both live in the new 3rd District and have been playing a quiet game of chicken over who gets to run there. Sources say Kennedy was prepared to challenge Maloy in the 3rd if Owens decided to run for another term in the new 4th District, where Owens lives. With Owens likely out, Kennedy could still challenge Maloy, but the smarter bet is that he pivots and runs in the 4th. Rep. Blake Moore has already staked out the new 2nd district, which covers most of Northern Utah. He’s been gathering signatures for weeks and is closing in on qualifying for the primary ballot. So which Republicans try to conquer the new blue district? State Sen. Dan McCay is one possibility. He’s flirted with a congressional run for years and faces two Republican challengers in Senate District 18\. It’s fair to wonder how much his heart is in another legislative term—he pledged to drop his re-election bid if his wife won the race for Riverton mayor last year. Former Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs is also said to be weighing a run. He won the delegate vote for U.S. Senate at the 2024 GOP convention but finished second in the primary to John Curtis. In a D+12 district, Staggs’s connections to Trump would be a liability: Trump endorsed him in 2024, and he [landed a Small Business Administration appointment](https://advocacy.sba.gov/2025/06/26/office-of-advocacy-appoints-trent-staggs-as-region-8-advocate/?ref=utahpolitics.news) in the second Trump administration. Watch the hotboard as the filing period opens. Omissions or updates? [Let us know](mailto:schott@utahpolitics.news). ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Utah lawmakers want to turn health class into an anti-abortion PSA URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-lawmakers-want-to-turn-health-class-into-an-anti-abortion-psa/ Last updated: 2026-03-03T15:08:55.000Z Utah lawmakers are moving to put anti-abortion propaganda into public school health classes, advancing a bill tailor-made to require screening of a video produced by a national anti-abortion organization that doctors say gets the science wrong. [HB315](https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0315.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) from Rep. Nicholeen Peck, R-Tooele, mandates that beginning in the 2027-2028 school year, public schools must include in Utah’s sex-ed classes a “high-definition video of at least three minutes in duration” that shows a human fetus in various stages of development. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****3 days** \- The final day of the 2026 Utah Legislature (3/6/2026) ****6 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****14 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****39 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****54 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****113 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****245 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****980 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) Those specific requirements point directly to a specific video, known as [“Baby Olivia,”](https://babyolivia.liveaction.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news) a glossy three-minute animation produced by [Live Action](https://www.liveaction.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news), a national anti-abortion 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that opposes abortion in all circumstances. It’s part of a multi-state push to require screenings in public schools. [At least 20 states](https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/legislation-passes-state-house-would-require-schools-show-prenatal-development-videos?ref=utahpolitics.news) have introduced such legislation, and six—North Dakota, Tennessee, Idaho, Kansas, Indiana and Iowa—have enacted it. Live Action gained prominence when it published [a series of undercover videos](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-video-seeks-to-discredit-planned-parenthood?ref=utahpolitics.news) targeting Planned Parenthood. Those sting videos [drew sharp criticism](https://www.cjr.org/analysis/why%5Fthe%5Fman%5Fwho%5Fmade%5Fundercover%5Fplanned%5Fparenthood%5Fvideos%5Fisnt%5Fa%5Fjournalist.php?ref=utahpolitics.news) for deceptive methods and misleading edits. The [“Baby Olivia"](https://babyolivia.liveaction.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news) video is a computer-generated animation showing human development through birth and runs for approximately three minutes. Doctors and educators have criticized the video as [manipulative and inaccurate](https://www.nashvillescene.com/news/pithinthewind/meet-baby-olivia-inaccuracies/article%5F4dd032b3-46ba-5f18-ae8a-dfca32a50f99.html?ref=utahpolitics.news). [Medical professionals claim](https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/planned-parenthood-florida-action/session/fact-checking-baby-olivia?ref=utahpolitics.news) the video presents several milestones in fetal development as taking place two weeks earlier than standard medical practice. For instance, the video claims a fetal heartbeat is detectible at three weeks after fertilization, but a fully formed heart does not exist until approximately six to nine weeks. The video also depicts the fetus “playing” and “exploring” at 11 weeks. Medical experts say a fetus does not make purposeful movements like hiccups or stretching until about 15 to 23 weeks, and portraying these as “playing” is not scientifically accurate. The video also claims that a fetus can survive outside the womb at 20 weeks, while experts say the lower limit of viability is at 23 or 24 weeks, with extremely low survival rates. [Opponents say the point isn’t science](https://hechingerreport.org/anti-abortion-lawmakers-push-to-get-fetal-development-education-in-public-schools/?ref=utahpolitics.news)—it’s to smuggle anti-abortion messaging into health class. Opponents have also [described the video ](https://forarpeople.org/anti-choice-baby-olivia-bill-example-of-actual-classroom-indoctrination?ref=utahpolitics.news)as “state-mandated indoctrination.” When the bill was heard in the House Education Committee last week, Peck said she would like to have the “Baby Olivia” video screened in Utah classrooms. “I thought, oh my goodness, that is such a beautiful video. It showed the development of a baby, completely tasteful. And I thought to myself, I wish that I would have seen that and known that when I was young,” Peck said. “In the state, we've been talking a lot this year about our fertility crisis that we're facing in our state. And I think that this type of training would help people understand a little bit more about babies and the beauty of babies and why we need to care about those babies and their development.” Under HB315, the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) is responsible for approving which videos can be shown in class and publishing a list of those approved materials online. Local school boards must include a video from that approved list as part of the curriculum. The bill does not make it so “Baby Olivia” is the only video that can be approved for use in classrooms, but it is written so that the video is likely to be included on that approved list. After Idaho passed a similar bill last year, the Idaho Department of Education (IDE) approved six videos, including “Baby Olivia,” for inclusion in classroom instruction. [One school district has voted specifically](https://localyocalidaho.substack.com/p/idaho-schools-select-videos-for-new) to use the “Baby Olivia” video, while another allows teachers to choose from the state-recommended list for their students. HB315 was passed by the full House of Representatives on Monday and is waiting for consideration in the Utah Senate. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### The Prop. 4 repeal has qualified for November's ballot, but the fight isn't over URL: https://utahpolitics.news/the-prop-4-repeal-has-qualified-for-novembers-ballot-but-the-fight-isnt-over/ Last updated: 2026-03-02T20:48:33.000Z # The initiative to repeal Prop 4—Utah’s anti-gerrymandering law that voters approved in 2018—has officially qualified for November's ballot. And it’s Republicans who put it there. An analysis of voter registration data provided by L2 reveals that 70% of petition signers are registered Republicans. Another 18% are unaffiliated, and just 6.5% are Democrats. The campaign crossed the threshold when Senate District 7, Senate President Stuart Adams’ district, hit its signature requirement with a surplus of 87 verified signatures. Now comes the pressure campaign: if enough voters pull their names from the petitions, previously qualified districts could slip below the threshold, knocking the measure off the ballot. So far, about 4,750 Utahns have withdrawn their signatures, including 685 in Monday’s update. Among those removals, 41% are unaffiliated, 32% are Democrats, and just over 21% are Republicans. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Utah's shortest-in-the-nation legislative session may soon come in installments URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utahs-shortest-in-the-nation-legislative-session-may-soon-come-in-installments/ Last updated: 2026-03-02T15:34:07.000Z Utah's Legislature operates under one of the tightest time constraints in America, with just 45 days to approve budgets and pass laws. Now, one lawmaker has decided they need more flexibility and wants to ask voters to let them spread those 45 days across the entire calendar year instead of cramming it all into a single sprint. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****4 days** \- The final day of the 2026 Utah Legislature (3/6/2026) ****7 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****15 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****40 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****55 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****114 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****246 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****981 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Prop. 4 repeal is just eight signatures away from qualifying for November's ballot URL: https://utahpolitics.news/prop-4-repeal-is-just-eight-signatures-away-from-qualifying-for-novembers-ballot/ Last updated: 2026-02-27T15:26:26.000Z Eight signatures. That’s all that separates the campaign to repeal Utah’s Proposition 4, the anti-gerrymandering law approved by voters in 2018, from the November ballot. After county clerks verified another 8,515 signatures on Thursday, the effort has now met the district-by-district threshold in 25 of 26 state Senate districts. [Read More at Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/prop-4-repeal-is-just-eight-signatures-away-from-qualifying-for-novembers-ballot) Senate District 7, represented by Senate President Stuart Adams, is just eight signatures short, according to updated numbers released by the Lieutenant Governor’s office. For comparison, District 13 is still 746 signatures away. If SD7 clears the bar, the repeal appears headed to the November ballot. That is likely just a formality at this point. The lone obstacle is the ongoing signature‑removal drive, which can knock districts back under the threshold. Clerks pulled 388 names on Thursday, including 78 in SD7\. Without those removals, SD7 would have cleared the bar in today’s update. Utah law gives signers up to 30 days from signing—or 45 days from when their names are posted online, whichever comes first—to withdraw. Clerks have until March 9 to finish verification. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Utah bill would let voters veto Utah Supreme Court rulings URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-bill-would-let-voters-veto-utah-supreme-court-rulings/ Last updated: 2026-02-27T14:42:02.000Z Should voters get a veto over Utah Supreme Court rulings that strike down state laws? A new bill says yes. [HB600](https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0600.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) from Rep. Matt MacPherson, R-West Valley City, would create a new statewide referendum letting voters decide whether a Utah Supreme Court opinion invalidating a state law actually takes effect. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****7 days** \- The final day of the 2026 Utah Legislature (3/6/2026) ****10 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****18 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****43 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****58 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****117 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****249 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****984 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) The process mirrors Utah’s existing referendum rules. Sponsors would have five business days after a Utah Supreme Court decision to file. They’d need signatures from 8% of voters statewide, plus 8% of active voters in at least 15 of the 29 Senate districts Sponsors get 105 days from the court’s decision to turn in signatures—more than double the 40-day window for referendums on laws passed by the Legislature. If the referendum qualifies, the lieutenant governor would “stay” the court’s ruling and put the question on the next statewide ballot. A majority “yes” vote means the Utah Supreme Court’s decision stands. A “no” vote blocks it. If it passes, Utah would likely be the first state to let voters weigh in directly on whether a state supreme court opinion invalidating a law should take effect. Earlier in the 2026 session, MacPherson was the author of HB392, which created a rotating, [three-judge “constitutional court”](https://utahpolitics.news/new-utah-bill-would-create-a-special-constitutional-court-to-hear-challenges-to-state-laws/) to hear lawsuits that challenge state laws as unconstitutional. Gov. Spencer Cox [swiftly signed the bill](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/13/utah-legislature-approves-bill-to-create-3-judge-constitutional-court-to-hear-challenges-to-laws/?ref=utahpolitics.news) into law earlier in February. Opponents have [filed a lawsuit](https://www.fox13now.com/news/politics/redistricting-plaintiffs-ask-judge-to-block-new-constitutional-court-bill?ref=utahpolitics.news) challenging the new court as unconstitutional. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Trump DOJ sues Utah to seize voter data URL: https://utahpolitics.news/trump-doj-sues-utah-to-seize-voter-data/ Last updated: 2026-02-27T00:12:17.000Z The Trump Justice Department is taking Utah to court to pry loose the state’s full, unredacted voter registration list, including birthdates, addresses, and other information. It's part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration to hoover up voter data from states in the name of "election integrity." The Department of Justice filed suit Thursday, asking a federal judge to order Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson to turn over Utah’s full, unredacted statewide voter registration list and related federal election records. Utah was one of five states sued by the DOJ on Thursday seeking the same data. “Accurate, well-maintained voter rolls are a requisite for the election integrity that the American people deserve,” Attorney General Pam Bondi [said in a press release](https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-sues-five-additional-states-failure-produce-voter-rolls?ref=utahpolitics.news). “This latest series of litigation underscores that the Department of Justice is fulfilling its duty to ensure transparency, voter roll maintenance, and secure elections across the country.” In July 2025, the DOJ opened an investigation into Utah’s compliance with the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), and asked Henderson for the current statewide voter list. Henderson offered only the public version. Under Utah law, voters can mark their information “private,” which is released only in limited circumstances. A separate “withheld” designation—often used to protect domestic violence survivors and people at risk—cannot be made public at all. By mid-August, DOJ sent a formal “written demand” under the Civil Rights Act of 1960 for an unredacted list—full names, birthdates, addresses, and either a driver’s license number, the last four digits of a Social Security number, or a HAVA unique ID. Henderson raised privacy concerns about releasing the information and asked for more details. DOJ responded with a proposed memorandum of understanding they say would safeguard the data, but Henderson said she needed more time. In the lawsuit, DOJ claims the Civil Rights Act of 1960 requires election officials to preserve voter registration and federal election records for 22 months and, upon a written demand from the Attorney General, make them available. In DOJ’s telling, states cannot refuse that request. DOJ is asking the court to declare Henderson violated federal law and order the state to produce the full, unredacted list. Notably, the suit doesn’t accuse Utah of specific NVRA or HAVA violations—it accuses the state of obstructing the investigation by withholding the file. After the lawsuit was filed, Henderson [posted a statement on social media](https://www.threads.com/@lt.govhenderson/post/DVPIfiUkioA?xmt=AQF0DVzKWs0EjVPTYCeW7D7bV4m0GmhzeDTylatHmSLDZA&ref=utahpolitics.news) saying the DOJ has sued more than half the states to gain access to private voter data. > [ View on Threads](https://www.threads.com/@lt.govhenderson/post/DVPIfiUkioA?ref=utahpolitics.news) “Neither state nor federal law entitles the Department of Justice to collect private information on law-abiding American citizens. Utahns can be assured that my office will always follow the Constitution and the law, protect voters’ rights, and administer free and fair elections,” she wrote. So far, DOJ has sued 29 states plus Washington, D.C. to get voter files. Courts in [California](https://www.brennancenter.org/media/14943/download/128-court-granted-defendant-and-intervenors-mtd-2026-01-15.pdf?inline=1&ref=utahpolitics.news) and [Oregon](https://www.courthousenews.com/judge-rules-oregon-wont-need-to-hand-over-unredacted-voter-rolls-to-trump-admin/?ref=utahpolitics.news) have already rejected these demands. [The Brennan Center for Justice argues](https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/trump-administration-has-sued-more-20-states-refusing-turn-over-voter?ref=utahpolitics.news) the campaign is part of the Trump administration’s effort to usurp state control of election administration—and potentially pressure states to purge voters from the rolls. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Which Utah Republicans signed the Prop. 4 repeal, and who are the no-shows? URL: https://utahpolitics.news/which-utah-republicans-signed-the-prop-4-repeal-and-who-are-the-no-shows/ Last updated: 2026-02-26T23:11:13.000Z Which top Utah Republicans have put their names on the Prop 4 repeal? So far, the names of 61 Utah Republicans in Congress, statewide office, or in the Utah Legislature have been posted online as having signed the Prop. 4 repeal campaign. 33 of them have not. According to the campaign’s public list, 61 Utah Republicans in Congress, statewide office, or the Legislature have signed on. Thirty‑three haven't—at least not yet. We’ll highlight notable signers and holdouts as the signature list is updated. Omissions or updates? [Let us know](mailto:news@utahpolitics.news). ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Prop. 4 repeal campaign hits statewide signature threshold, nears ballot qualification URL: https://utahpolitics.news/prop-4-repeal-campaign-hits-statewide-signature-threshold-nears-ballot-qualification/ Last updated: 2026-02-26T16:50:54.000Z On Thursday, the campaign to repeal Prop 4 hit the statewide signature threshold to land on the November ballot and has cleared the district-level requirement in 20 of the required 26 state Senate districts. Prop 4—the voter-approved 2018 anti-gerrymandering initiative—created an independent redistricting commission and banned partisan gerrymandering. Utah Republican Party leaders are spearheading the repeal effort. The campaign currently sits at 90% or more of the verified signatures needed in six additional Senate districts. Unless there's an unexpected stall, full ballot qualification is imminent. If the current pace holds, expect the final districts to cross the finish line within days. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Kalshi backs off emergency court bid in Utah gambling fight—but the bigger fight still looms URL: https://utahpolitics.news/kalshi-backs-off-emergency-court-bid-in-utah-gambling-fight-but-the-bigger-fight-still-looms/ Last updated: 2026-02-26T15:46:13.000Z Kalshi—an online prediction market [currently suing Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Attorney General Derek Brown](https://utahpolitics.news/kalshi-sues-to-block-utah-from-cracking-down-on-prediction-markets/)—has backed off its demand for immediate court intervention in the case. The company withdrew its request for a temporary restraining order after striking an agreement with state lawyers, but it’s still pursuing a broader injunction to stop Utah from treating Kalshi as illegal gambling. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****8 days** \- The final day of the 2026 Utah Legislature (3/6/2026) ****11 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****19 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****44 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****59 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****118 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****250 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****985 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### The Prop. 4 repeal appears headed to the ballot. So why are they suing to stop signature removals? URL: https://utahpolitics.news/the-prop-4-repeal-appears-headed-to-the-ballot-so-why-are-they-suing-to-stop-signature-removals/ Last updated: 2026-02-25T20:45:03.000Z The campaign to put a repeal of Utah’s Prop. 4 on the November ballot is 86 verified signatures shy of the statewide goal. On Wednesday it crossed the 8% threshold in five more Senate districts, bringing the total to 14 of the required 26. So, why are its backers sprinting to court? Because the coordinated push to get people to pull their signatures appears to be working—and could be enough to keep the initiative off the ballot. On Tuesday, [Utahns for Representative Government (UFRG)](https://www.ufrg.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news) sued in Utah District Court, alleging that the “signature removal kits,” which include forms prefilled with the voter’s name, pre-addressed to county clerks, and stamped with prepaid postage, that Utahns for Responsive Government (URG) and [Better Boundaries](https://betterboundaries.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news) are mailing to repeal-petition signers violate Utah election law in several ways: - Prepaid postage amounts to “paying” voters to remove their signatures, which UFRG says is illegal. - Prefilled forms and mass mailings, they argue, undermine the requirement that voters personally provide information and act on their own when requesting removal—and that clerks verify that information before any signature is pulled. - URG and Better Boundaries, UFRG claims, are violating campaign-finance laws by failing to register as a political issues committee (PIC) despite spending thousands on the effort and by omitting required disclaimers on the mailers. UFRG wants a judge to order the Lieutenant Governor and all 29 county clerks to reject any removal requests submitted using the prepaid, prefilled forms and to preserve those documents for later review. On Feb. 11, UFRG also sent a letter to the Lieutenant Governor, noting that URG dissolved as a committee in 2019 but is now running an active campaign and appears to be spending well above the $750 threshold that triggers PIC registration and disclosure. The verified signature data suggests that the coordinated removal campaign is a real threat to the initiative’s chances of qualifying for the November ballot. State law requires signatures from 8% of registered voters in 26 of the state’s 29 Senate districts. As of Wednesday, the repeal campaign has cleared that bar in 14. At the current verification pace, the campaign projects to hit the 8% mark in 27 districts—one above the minimum. That means they can afford to lose exactly one district off that total. Lose two, and the measure falls off the ballot. SD13 will likely be the last district to qualify, and it’s already the most vulnerable, with 246 removals, the most of any district. More losses there could stop it from clearing the 8% bar completely. Several districts are expected to cross the 8% threshold with narrow margins, making them prime targets for removals. - SD3 met the 8% threshold on Wednesday with a surplus of 125 signatures. There have already been 169 signature removals in this district, which is more than the current surplus. - SD10 has qualified with a surplus of 129 signatures and 174 removals processed. - SD16: Currently 129 signatures short of qualifying and 218 removals, the second most of any district. - SD12: Needs 158 signatures to hit 8% but is already at 199 removals. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Kalshi sues to block Utah from cracking down on prediction markets URL: https://utahpolitics.news/kalshi-sues-to-block-utah-from-cracking-down-on-prediction-markets/ Last updated: 2026-02-24T21:52:40.000Z [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news), the online prediction market, filed suit against Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, Attorney General Derek Brown, and AG’s office officials in federal court, saying the state is laying the groundwork to kick the exchange out of Utah under anti‑gambling laws. [In Monday's filing](https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72318500/1/kalshiex-llc-v-cox/?ref=utahpolitics.news), Kalshi says the state is preparing to bring an enforcement action against the company for violating the state’s anti-gambling laws. The suit cites recent public comments from Cox and Brown that the company is operating illegally in Utah. “Just last week the Governor said, ‘I think you’re going to see 50 states suing these guys in one way or another,’ and that businesses like Kalshi are ‘illegal in Utah and will continue to be so,’” the suit says. It also points to a [recent op-ed by Brown](https://www.deseret.com/opinion/2026/02/22/utah-gambling-apps-prediciton-markets-harmful-dangerous/?ref=utahpolitics.news) that names Kalshi and says he’s working on a plan to target prediction markets in the state. Brown has joined amicus briefs backing other states’ cases against Kalshi, arguing its sports-event contracts amount to illegal sports betting under state law, including Utah’s. Kalshi says outreach to Brown’s office was met with silence, which is evidence, they argue, of imminent enforcement that could include criminal charges or an effort to force the exchange out of Utah. The company is asking for a judge to step in and rule that Utah can’t treat its exchange as illegal gambling and an injunction blocking the state from taking any action. As Dustin Gouker noted in his Event Horizon newsletter, [prediction markets have sued after cease‑and‑desist letters before](https://nexteventhorizon.substack.com/p/news-kalshi-sues-utah-in-federal-court), but this is the first time Kalshi filed suit before a state pulled the trigger. Online prediction markets like Kalshi and [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) let users trade “yes/no” contracts on real‑world events. Users trade with each other, not the house, and every “yes” has a corresponding “no.” For example, a “yes” contract trading at 30 cents reflects a 30% implied chance of the event happening, and traders buy and sell before the event is resolved. If the event occurs, people holding “yes” contracts get the full value, and people holding “no” get nothing. If it doesn’t, the opposite happens. They’ve also drawn heat for alleged insider trading: in January, an anonymous trader [cleared more than $400,000](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/a-400000-payout-after-maduros-capture-put-prediction-markets-in-the-spotlight-heres-how-they-work?ref=utahpolitics.news) betting on Nicolás Maduro’s ouster—much of it hours before the raid that led to his capture. In the suit, the company contends that Utah cannot take steps to shut down their operations in the state because that would violate federal law, which gives the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) exclusive authority to regulate their business. Last week, the CTFC chair, Michael Selig, [moved to curb state efforts](https://frontofficesports.com/trumps-cftc-moves-to-prevent-states-from-ruling-on-prediction-markets/?ref=utahpolitics.news) to regulate online prediction markets, saying the platforms aren’t gambling—they’re trading. “The CFTC will no longer sit idly by while overzealous state governments undermine the agency’s exclusive jurisdiction over these markets by seeking to establish statewide prohibitions on these exciting products,” Selig said [in an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/opinion/states-encroach-on-prediction-markets-6eb43af9?ref=utahpolitics.news). Gambling is already prohibited under Utah’s Constitution. [HB243](https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0243.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) from Rep. Joseph Elison, R-Toquerville, [expands the definition of gambling](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-bill-moves-to-nuke-daily-fantasy-sports-apps-operating-in-legal-gray-area/) to include proposition bets, but it’s unclear whether that would include prediction markets. In January, [CNBC reported](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/15/prediction-markets-college-students-teens-could-be-fueling-the-boom?ref=utahpolitics.news) analysts think a big chunk of prediction market growth comes from 18‑to‑20‑year‑olds who are too young to gamble legally in most states. Kalshi and Polymarket generally allow users 18 and up, with some exceptions. President Donald Trump and his family have significant financial entanglements with online prediction markets. A venture capital firm backed by Donald Trump Jr. [made an investment in Polymarket](https://www.reuters.com/business/polymarket-secures-investment-trump-jr-backed-1789-capital-2025-08-26/?ref=utahpolitics.news) last year, and Kalshi [named Trump Jr. as a strategic advisor](https://news.kalshi.com/p/donald-trump-jr-strategic-advisor?ref=utahpolitics.news) in January. Last October, President Trump’s TruthSocial is also r[olling out its own prediction market](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/truth-social-expands-prediction-markets-174900685.html?ref=utahpolitics.news), dubbed “Truth Predict.” ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Utah Prop. 4 repeal nears statewide goal, but signature removals rise URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-prop-4-repeal-nears-statewide-goal-but-signature-removals-rise/ Last updated: 2026-02-24T22:04:37.000Z The campaign to put a repeal of Prop. 4, Utah’s anti-gerrymandering law approved by voters in 2018, on November’s ballot is closing in on the statewide threshold while fighting a second front: an organized effort to strip names off the petitions that is having an impact on whether the initiative reaches November’s ballot. The repeal campaign is on pace to hit the statewide requirement of 140,748 signatures this week. It has now cleared the 8% signature threshold in nine state Senate districts and needs 17 more to get to the required 26. On Tuesday, organizers added 6,497 verified signatures, putting the statewide total at just over 92%—10,802 short. To qualify, the campaign also needs signatures equal to 8% of registered voters in 26 of 29 Senate districts. Nine more districts are within 600 signatures and could cross the line by week’s end. - SD24 needs 59 more signatures to qualify - SD10 needs 90 more signatures - SD23 needs 258 more - SD12 is 378 signatures short - SD16 is 439 signatures away - SD18 is 553 signatures short - SD3 needs 566 more - SD22 is 573 signatures away - SD21 needs 583 signatures At the current pace, the campaign is on track to hit the 8% threshold in 26 districts, with three Salt Lake County seats likely falling short: - SD9, held by Democrat Jen Plumb, is only at 51.1% of the required signatures, and will likely fall approximately 1,000 signatures short. - SD14, held by Democrat Stephanie Pitcher, is on pace to miss the requirement by approximately 1,500 signatures. - SD13, held by Democrat Nate Blouin, is on pace to just miss the requirement by approximately 300 signatures. That math leaves almost no cushion. If the verification pace slips even a little, districts that are on pace to barely qualify could slide into the danger zone. The other variable: a coordinated signature-removal campaign urging past signers to yank their names. An analysis by Utah Political Watch counts roughly 3,500 removals so far, including 442 on Monday. SD10 is where the removal campaign is having a significant impact, with 175 signatures gone. The district needs 2,975 total and should have crossed last week, but removals have pushed it back to 97% of the target. Other districts hit hard by removals are the same places already struggling to reach the threshold. Under Utah law, signers have either 30 days from when they first signed the petition or 45 days from when the lieutenant governor posts their name online to make a request to move their signature, whichever comes first. Signatures verified in late February and early March might not hit the removal deadline until late March and early April. The final determination for whether the repeal initiative will qualify for the ballot isn’t until April 29. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Utah 2026 bill graveyard: Stoddard, Lee top the bill body count URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-2026-bill-graveyard-stoddard-lee-top-the-bill-body-count/ Last updated: 2026-02-24T15:56:53.000Z Welcome to the bill graveyard. So far in the 2026 Utah Legislature, 92 bills have been voted down, tabled or “held” in committee. For those not fluent in legislative speak, “voted down” is a no, “tabled” is a polite no, and “held” is a slow, quiet no. As of Tuesday morning, 1,000 bills and resolutions have been numbered, and [130 have passed](https://le.utah.gov/asp/passedbills/passedbills.asp?ref=utahpolitics.news) so far. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****10 days** \- The final day of the 2026 Utah Legislature (3/6/2026) ****13 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****21 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****46 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****61 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****120 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****252 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****987 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) On the House side, [Rep. Andrew Stoddard](https://le.utah.gov/bills/billSearch.jsp?sess=2026GS&disp=all&sen=&rep=STODDA&sub=&comm=&ref=utahpolitics.news), D‑Sandy, tops the casualty list with six bills stopped. Two, [HB80](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/static/HB0080.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) (criminal penalties for improper firearm storage in some cases) and [HB443](https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0443.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) (changing how legislative vacancies are filled), were voted down. Four more were held in committee. Close behind is [Rep. Trevor Lee](https://le.utah.gov/bills/billSearch.jsp?sess=2026GS&disp=all&sen=&rep=LEETA&sub=&comm=&ref=utahpolitics.news), R-Layton, with five bills dead or stalled. [HB288](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/static/HB0288.html?ref=utahpolitics.news), which allowed Utahns to register to vote when purchasing a hunting and fishing license, cleared the House, then got tabled in a Senate committee after Lee tacked on a provision letting the lieutenant governor contract with a private firm to maintain Utah’s voter rolls. Two more, [HB152](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/static/HB0152.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) (easier exemptions from public‑school vaccine requirements) and [HB96](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/static/HB0096.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) (OTC ivermectin), were voted down in committee. The rest were held. On the other side of the rotunda, two Democrats—[Sen. Nate Blouin](https://le.utah.gov/bills/billSearch.jsp?sess=2026GS&disp=all&sen=BLOUIN&rep=&sub=&comm=&ref=utahpolitics.news) and [Sen. Jen Plumb](https://le.utah.gov/bills/billSearch.jsp?sess=2026GS&disp=all&sen=PLUMBJ&rep=&sub=&comm=&ref=utahpolitics.news), both D‑Salt Lake City—have seen four bills each stopped. Blouin’s [SB282](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/static/SB0282.html?ref=utahpolitics.news), which tightened the rules for power plants serving high-consumption customers to prevent cost-shifting to other consumers, was defeated in committee. Three others were held. Plumb’s [SB137](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/static/SB0137.html?ref=utahpolitics.news), proposing changes to the Utah Homeless Services Board, was voted down on the Senate floor. Scoreboard so far: 64 bills have died in the House—49 from Republicans, 15 from Democrats—and 28 in the Senate—12 from Republicans, 16 from Democrats. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Time runs out: Federal panel won't block Utah's congressional map as midterms near URL: https://utahpolitics.news/time-runs-out-federal-panel-wont-block-utahs-congressional-map-as-midterms-near/ Last updated: 2026-02-23T19:06:34.000Z A three‑judge federal panel unanimously denied a bid by Utah Republicans—fronted by Reps. Celeste Maloy and Burgess Owens—to block the congressional map set to be used in the 2026 midterms. That map centers a Democratic-leaning district in Salt Lake County. Unless the U.S. Supreme Court steps in, the court-imposed map is likely the one voters will see in 2026. The panel leaned on the Purcell principle, a warning to federal courts not to upend election rules “close to an election” because it breeds chaos and voter confusion. With Utah’s caucuses three weeks away and the primary season already effectively underway, the court said a federal injunction now would scramble the process for voters and candidates alike. “Because Utah’s election system begins formally identifying primary candidates during the caucuses (unlike Texas), the primary campaign season begins before the caucus dates. With the caucuses scheduled just three weeks from now, Utah has entered an active primary campaign season, even if the congressional candidate filing period has not yet opened,” they wrote. Candidate filing for congressional elections opens March 9, party caucuses are March 17, and party conventions are set for April 25\. The panel also noted that the plaintiffs waited until Feb. 2 to sue over a map adopted more than two months earlier, which undercut any claim the situation was an emergency. Even setting the timing issue aside, the judges said the plaintiffs were unlikely to win on the merits. They argued the U.S. Constitution’s Elections Clause gives only state legislatures and Congress the power to draw congressional districts. So when Utah Third District Judge Dianna Gibson tossed the congressional map approved by lawmakers and implemented a replacement, she usurped that power. They asked the court to either order the state to return to the 2021 map or at least give the Utah Legislature time to draw a new one. In its decision, the panel noted the mess that landed Utah with a court-imposed map in the first place: - The 2021 map had already been ruled unlawful. - The 2011 map was unusable after population shifts. - The Legislature’s replacement, “Map C,” violated Prop. 4—the voter-approved anti-gerrymandering initiative the Utah Supreme Court reinstated in July 2024—and was unlawful. - Election deadlines were looming, so doing nothing would leave the state without a valid map for the 2026 midterms. In that case, they said, existing precedent allows a court to step in so that the state has a lawful map in place. Judge Timothy Tymkovich concurred but argued Purcell should not be a factor in this case. He said Utah “has not entered an active primary season” and noted the lieutenant governor told the court she could implement a new map for caucuses and a primary. He also questioned whether Prop 4 empowers state courts to impose their own maps without more guidance from the Utah Supreme Court. Still, he agreed federal courts can’t resurrect the unlawful 2021 map, and the plaintiffs are unlikely to win the case on its merits. “I do not believe the Elections Clause allows us to require the Lieutenant Governor to substitute the 2021 Map absent directions from the Utah Supreme Court,” he wrote, adding he’d advise his colleagues to “hold our hand” on ratifying the state court’s remedy until Utah’s high court weighs in. He also dinged Judge Gibson for her handling of the case. After the Utah Supreme Court ruled in July 2024 that the Legislature overstepped its constitutional authority by repealing Prop. 4, Gibson waited until January 2025 to hold a hearing. She then set four months for supplemental briefings and then took another four months to rule on August 25\. When lawmakers passed a new map on October 6, Gibson struck it down and adopted the plaintiffs’ alternative at the last minute, leaving lawmakers no time to try again. “By waiting more than a year after remand to issue a ruling, and pressing against the Lieutenant Governor’s November deadline, the district court created timing and remedy issues that otherwise might not exist,” Tymkovich wrote. “As a result, this court has now been asked to answer federal and state questions of great import within three weeks…Further, the court’s adoption of a map proposed by an undoubtedly interested, non-governmental party unnecessarily raises doubts about the fairness of the process. None of this need have happened.” The plaintiffs still could appeal the decision directly to the U.S. Supreme Court. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Utah's map mayhem hits another deadline: Federal judges pressed to pick map today URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utahs-map-mayhem-hits-another-deadline-federal-judges-pressed-to-pick-map-today/ Last updated: 2026-02-23T15:47:31.000Z Utah’s congressional map fight is now on a stopwatch. Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson says if the state is going to revert to the 2021 map, that decision has to land today—giving county clerks two weeks to retool before federal candidate filing opens March 9\. With the [Utah Supreme Court swatting away](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-supreme-court-tosses-legislatures-prop-4-appeal-2021-map-remains-blocked/) the Legislature’s appeal on procedural grounds Friday, the real action shifts to federal court. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****11 days** \- The final day of the 2026 Utah Legislature (3/6/2026) ****14 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****22 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****47 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****62 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****121 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****254 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****988 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Update: Utah Capitol visit from Turning Point USA's Erika Kirk no longer happening URL: https://utahpolitics.news/update-utah-capitol-visit-from-turning-point-usas-erika-kirk-no-longer-happening/ Last updated: 2026-02-23T16:02:24.000Z A scheduled appearance by Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk at the Utah State Capitol on Monday is off after news of her visit leaked. Sources with knowledge of the plans [told Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/erika-kirk-expected-to-appear-at-utah-capitol-on-monday/) that Kirk, the widow of conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk, was scheduled to appear at the Capitol on Monday, where she was set to be awarded a citation by lawmakers. Charlie Kirk was shot and killed on the campus of Utah Valley University in September. Per a press release reviewed by Utah Political Watch, organizers attempted to keep the event quiet, embargoing the announcement until after the citations were awarded. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/02/2026.02.22-Kirk-press-release.jpg) *(Note: The Utah Legislature has refused to issue Utah Political Watch a media credential. We did not receive this press release through official channels and therefore did not honor the embargo.)* Legislative leaders were informed on Sunday that Kirk would not be in attendance at the Capitol on Monday. Instead, lawmakers will deliver the citations to other Turning Point USA representatives. In an email statement provided to Utah Political Watch, TPUSA disputed that Kirk was scheduled to visit Utah. "There was never any Capitol visit to Utah planned, therefore to say 'it is no longer happening' is untrue," spokesperson Andrew Kolvet said. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Utah lawmakers will honor Erika Kirk on Monday URL: https://utahpolitics.news/erika-kirk-expected-to-appear-at-utah-capitol-on-monday/ Last updated: 2026-02-23T01:01:58.000Z Erika Kirk, the widow of conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk, is scheduled to appear at the Utah Capitol on Monday for a ceremonial citation. According to a copy of a press release obtained by Utah Political Watch, she plans to make an appearance on Monday. Spokespersons for both the Utah Senate and House did not respond to a request for comment. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/02/IMG_3271.jpeg) Kirk was shot and killed during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University in September. Eight days after Kirk was killed, Turning Point USA named Erika Kirk [the organization’s new CEO](https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/18/politics/erika-kirk-turning-point-ceo?ref=utahpolitics.news). Since Kirk’s assassination, Republican lawmakers around the country have floated ways to honor him posthumously. - Lawmakers in [Missouri](https://www.senate.mo.gov/26info/pdf-bill/intro/SCR13.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news), [South Carolina](https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126%5F2025-2026/bills/4609.htm?ref=utahpolitics.news), and [West Virginia](https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill%5FStatus/bills%5Ftext.cfm?billdoc=sr22+intr.htm&yr=2026&sesstype=RS&i=22&houseorig=s&billtype=r&ref=utahpolitics.news) have proposed creating an official “Charlie Kirk Day.” - [Arizona](https://www.abc15.com/news/local-news/arizona-legislation-to-rename-loop-202-after-charlie-kirk-advances?ref=utahpolitics.news), [Idaho](https://idahonews.com/news/local/idaho-group-pushes-bill-to-name-state-highway-after-charlie-kirk?ref=utahpolitics.news), and [South Carolina](https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126%5F2025-2026/bills/4573.htm?ref=utahpolitics.news) have bills to rename highways after him. In Utah, the only legislative action honoring Kirk proposed so far is HB196 from Rep. Trevor Lee, R‑Layton, to [rename Harvey Milk Blvd. in Salt Lake City](https://utahpolitics.news/rep-trevor-lee-wants-to-strip-local-control-away-from-salt-lake-city-to-own-the-libs/) after Kirk. Some Republican lawmakers have [launched a fundraising campaign](https://www.ksl.com/article/51378884/gop-lawmakers-push-for-charlie-kirk-memorial-on-uvu-campus-some-students-oppose-move?ref=utahpolitics.news) to build a memorial for Kirk on the Utah Valley University campus. If Erika Kirk does appear Monday, she would join other national figures who have come to Utah to either be honored or to press a cause. - In 1986, Coretta Scott King, Dr. Martin Luther King’s widow, [came to Utah](https://www.deseret.com/2000/1/17/19486242/will-utah-rename-holiday-for-king/?ref=utahpolitics.news) to lobby the Legislature to create a holiday honoring her husband. Lawmakers instead named the holiday “Human Rights Day,” and Utah didn’t officially recognize MLK Day until 2000\. Dr. King visited Utah and [spoke at the University of Utah in 1961](https://multicultural.utah.gov/dr-kings-visit-to-utah/?ref=utahpolitics.news). - In 2001, comedian Bill Cosby [appeared before a joint session](https://www.deseret.com/2001/2/1/19566985/jell-o-jiggles-its-way-through-senate-vote/?ref=utahpolitics.news) of the House and Senate as part of a resolution recognizing Jell-O as Utah’s official snack. Lawmakers made him an honorary citizen as part of his visit. - In 2017, actor Jon Heder, star of Napoleon Dynamite, [spoke to Utah](https://apnews.com/general-news-movies-6d965af578f249ac9a9aa39c0b4bc43b?ref=utahpolitics.news) lawmakers about the importance of tax incentives for movie productions that are filmed in the state. - Paris Hilton [testified before a legislative committee](https://people.com/tv/paris-hilton-grateful-utah-state-legislature-passing-school-reform-bill/?ref=utahpolitics.news) in 2021 in favor of legislation to reform youth residential treatment centers. - Earlier this year, actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt visited the Utah Capitol to [speak in favor of legislation](https://www.ksl.com/article/51439291/actor-joseph-gordon-levitt-visits-utah-to-urge-regulations-on-amoral-ai-companies?ref=utahpolitics.news) dealing with artificial intelligence. ### Utah Supreme Court tosses Legislature's Prop. 4 appeal; 2021 map remains blocked URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-supreme-court-tosses-legislatures-prop-4-appeal-2021-map-remains-blocked/ Last updated: 2026-02-21T00:51:20.000Z Late Friday, the Utah Supreme Court tossed the Utah Legislature’s appeal in the high‑profile Proposition 4 redistricting fight, leaving in place a lower‑court order that nuked the 2021 congressional map and the Legislature’s repeal of Prop. 4, the ballot initiative that created an independent redistricting commission. The justices did not rule on the merits of the case. Instead, they said they lacked jurisdiction to hear an appeal because there’s no final judgment in the case yet. In August, Third District Judge Dianna Gibson ruled lawmakers unconstitutionally repealed Prop. 4\. She also struck down the 2021 congressional map because it was drawn using the legislature’s replacement for Prop. 4. In December, legislative lawyers argued they couldn’t appeal Gibson’s August decision or her November order implementing a congressional map that created a Democratic-leaning Salt Lake County district until she entered a final judgment. So they tried a shortcut. Rule 54(b) lets a judge certify one fully decided claim for an immediate appeal while the rest of the case continues. Gibson reluctantly stamped parts of her August order as “final” to tee up a quick appeal. It was an unusual move, and, as it turns out, not good enough. On Friday, the Supreme Court said lawmakers couldn’t use 54(b) to jump the line because the underlying claim wasn’t fully resolved. “As a general rule, an appellate court does not have jurisdiction to consider an appeal unless the appeal is taken from a final order or judgment that ends the controversy between the litigants,” the Court wrote. Because the district court declined to certify Count V in the complaint as final. Count V is the claim that SB200, the law that repealed Prop. 4 and altered the independent redistricting commission, violated the Utah Constitution. It’s at the center of the entire case. Lawmakers had argued the case was effectively over because Gibson had already granted the relief sought by the plaintiffs. She refused, leaving more than 20 claims unresolved in the case. Because the court did not certify Count V as final, “no claim has been certified as final under Rule 54(b),” the justices wrote, so the appeal was not proper. The justices also noted the Legislature blew two earlier opportunities: they could have appealed the August 25 order striking the 2021 map and the November 10 order adopting the plaintiffs’ remedial map. Twice, they let the 30‑day clock run out. With the appeal dismissed, the Supreme Court denied the Legislature’s bid to stay the district court’s permanent injunction of the 2021 map as moot. It also rejected Utah County Clerk Aaron Davidson’s last‑minute attempt to jump in. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Prop. 4 repeal moves closer to Utah ballot. Republicans are fueling the push with 70% of signers URL: https://utahpolitics.news/prop-4-repeal-moves-closer-to-utah-ballot-republicans-are-fueling-the-push-with-70-of-signers/ Last updated: 2026-02-20T22:25:29.000Z The Prop. 4 repeal campaign added 9,321 verified signatures Friday, bringing the total to 117,114—83% of the 140,748 required statewide. It needs 23,634 more and will likely clear the bar early next week. The campaign is also closing in on the second hurdle: signatures from 8% of registered voters in 26 state Senate districts. Five districts have qualified. Two more are within about 250 signatures, with a wave of additional districts expected in the next few days. Signature removals continue with another 460 on Friday. Senate District by 71 from yesterday’s total, but still sits comfortably +1,740 above the requirement. ## Who’s signing If this lands on November’s ballot, Republicans will have powered it there. Using voter registration data from L2, Utah Political Watch matched about 85% of petition signers on Friday’s update to the statewide voter file. Nearly 70% are registered Republicans, 18.5% are independents, and just under 7% are Democrats. Republicans are signing at rates well above their share of the electorate. They make up 51% of Utah voters but 70% of signatures. Roughly 8% of all registered Republicans statewide have signed so far. In the five Senate districts that have crossed the threshold, Republicans account for \~80% or more of signatures—between 10 and 20 points above their partisan makeup in each district. - SD01 - 79.5% of signatures from Republicans; 61% of voters are GOP. - SD26 - 80.4% of signatures from Republicans; 70% of voters are GOP. - SD27 - 87% of signatures from Republicans; 70% of voters are GOP. - SD28 - 83% of signatures from Republicans; 64% of voters are GOP. - SD29 - 84.5% of signatures from Republicans; 62% of voters are GOP. In those five districts, Democrats account for less than 5% of signatures. That GOP-heavy mix tracks. Utahns for Representative Government, the repeal group, is headed by Utah Republican Party officials. Appeals before the submission deadline targeted Republican voters. National conservatives including Vice President JD Vance, Donald Trump Jr., and Ted Nugent urged Utahns to sign. Petition events were hosted by Republican-aligned groups like Turning Point USA. ## Where are the signatures coming from? More than one-quarter of verified signatures come from Salt Lake County. Utah County is second at \~22%, followed by Washington County (10.1%), Davis County (8.6%), and Weber County (6.8%). ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Utah Supreme Court could decide Legislature's redistricting appeal today as county clerk seeks to upend process URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-supreme-court-could-decide-legislatures-redistricting-appeal-today-as-county-clerk-seeks-to-upend-process/ Last updated: 2026-02-20T16:05:12.000Z Utah’s redistricting fight hits a decision point today: the Utah Supreme Court could decide whether to keep a remedial congressional map that creates a Democratic-leaning Salt Lake County district or snap back to the Legislature’s 2021 lines—just in time to scramble the 2026 midterms—and, thanks to a last-minute intervention bid by Utah County Clerk Aaron Davidson to drag all 29 county clerks into the case, potentially reroute the whole process. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****14 days** \- The final day of the 2026 Utah Legislature (3/6/2026) ****17 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****25 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****50 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****65 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****124 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****257 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****991 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Numbers keep climbing: Prop. 4 repeal effort speeding toward ballot URL: https://utahpolitics.news/numbers-keep-climbing-prop-4-repeal-effort-speeding-toward-ballot/ Last updated: 2026-02-19T22:48:21.000Z It’s no longer “if” but “when.” The Prop. 4 repeal ballot initiative is on pace to hit Utah’s statewide threshold of 140,748 verified signatures next week, after a late surge at the deadline and several days of brisk verification. Thursday’s update added a net 7,786 verified signatures, bringing the total to 107,793—76.59% of the statewide target—with about 33,000 to go. Assuming a roughly 75% acceptance rate (typical for large petition efforts), about 143,700 signatures have now been processed. The effort also crossed the 8% threshold in a fifth state Senate district—the first new district to qualify since early February. That leaves 21 more districts to lock down for a November ballot spot. Twelve more districts could cross the line next week if Thursday’s pace holds. District 25 needs just 153 signatures; Districts 2, 11, and 20 also showed real momentum in the latest update. With gains across multiple districts, the projected statewide “safe” total to qualify drops to \~230,000 signatures, down from an earlier \~240,000 estimate. One caveat: another 378 signatures were removed on Thursday. Expect more routine churn as clerks work through the backlog. They have until March 7 to finish verifying signatures. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Salt Lake County GOP bans seven members through 2030 after endorsement dispute spirals into criminal allegations...and a letter to the FBI URL: https://utahpolitics.news/salt-lake-county-gop-bans-seven-members-through-2030-after-endorsement-dispute-spirals-into-criminal-allegations/ Last updated: 2026-02-19T20:13:46.000Z On Thursday morning, an internal Republican Party brawl exploded into the public as the Salt Lake County GOP announced eight members were disciplined for “leveling false allegations of criminal election interference” against party leadership. The punishments include official censure, removals from leadership and bans from most GOP events for the next four years. Most of the eight are well‑known dissidents in Utah GOP circles. - Former State School Board member Natalie Cline was [formally censured by the Utah Legislature](https://apnews.com/article/transgender-athlete-utah-school-board-censure-63e25c6c71d9f18586bd8a036dc29a52?ref=utahpolitics.news) in 2024 for a social media post questioning the gender of a high school basketball player. - Tracie Halvorsen, who was a leader in the failed efforts to undo Utah’s new state flag. She also [fronted a sprawling federal lawsuit](https://utahpolitics.news/phil-lyman-supporters-sue-to-boot-cox-curtis-and-brown-from-office-replace-them-with-republican-convention-winners-instead/) accusing Gov. Spencer Cox and other Republican officials of conducting a vast racketeering and election fraud scheme. That lawsuit was thrown out of court earlier this week. Halvorsen unsuccessfully ran for Salt Lake County GOP Chair last year. - Casey Gale, who relentlessly used social media to attack and troll opponents of gubernatorial candidate Phil Lyman during the 2024 election. He never disclosed that he was paid by Lyman’s campaign. He was removed from his leadership post on the Salt Lake County GOP in 2024 over [his use of a homophobic slur](https://utahpolitics.news/salt-lake-county-gop-ousts-state-central-committee-member-over-homophobic-slur/) in a social media post. Seven of the eight, including Cline, Halvorsen and Gale, lost their party posts and face multiyear bans from most party events and from holding leadership positions until May 1, 2030. > [https://t.co/Jv6rnjBJ07](https://t.co/Jv6rnjBJ07?ref=utahpolitics.news) [pic.twitter.com/HbJjfJx1Qi](https://t.co/HbJjfJx1Qi?ref=utahpolitics.news) > > — Salt Lake County Republican Party (@SLCountyGOP) [February 19, 2026](https://twitter.com/SLCountyGOP/status/2024501115866284118?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) What kicked this off? A garden-variety endorsement plan that spiraled into threats and criminal referrals. Last August, the county GOP weighed endorsing candidates in municipal races. Those contests are officially nonpartisan, but some county parties in Utah endorse anyway; Utah County Republicans have done it for the past few cycles. Candidates were invited to pitch the executive committee, and any endorsement required a two-thirds vote. The day before the September 2 meeting, Halvorsen and seven allies [fired off a letter](https://drive.google.com/file/d/14GjHY%5FY3D50cLcjM5UaTwNTTJ1ZWDFL7/view?ref=utahpolitics.news) warning that party endorsements can only be offered through the existing convention system, and the plan amounted to “illegal election interference.” “Any endorsement or support outside this framework risks disqualifying both the Salt Lake County and Utah State Republican Parties and undermining the integrity of our elections,” the letter claimed. They [cited a Utah law](https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title20A/Chapter1/20A-1-S603.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) protecting voters “lawfully exercising their rights” and argued that a party endorsement constitutes an “unlawful attempt to influence the outcome.” Party endorsements are legal in Utah. They are, in fact, a textbook function of political parties. Sources tell Utah Political Watch the real target of Halvorsen’s ire was Riverton mayoral candidate Tawnee McCay, who was running against Republican Tish Buroker. Halvorsen has a long‑running grudge against McCay’s husband, state Sen. Dan McCay. She’s currently challenging McCay for the Senate District 18 GOP nomination. Her accompanying email underlined that motivation, zeroing in on a potential McCay endorsement; McCay finished second to Buroker in the primary. “Riverton does not want to have a city mayor who is married to a state senator, Dan McCay,” Halvorsen wrote. “Even if both were entirely honest, common sense suggests that such a connection would be inappropriate and could raise questions about impartiality and conflicts of interest.” On Sept. 12, Halvorsen [sent a letter to the Riverton City Prosecutor](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ymx5D-EVTzK5T3V33qQqah-I1bg6lvHJ/view?ref=utahpolitics.news) accusing Tawnee McCay of a felony—specifically that a social media contest was an attempt to buy votes. “Tawnee is offering a chance to win a prize or gift cards from businesses within Riverton City in an effort to obtain political support at an election," Halvorsen wrote. For extra flair, Halvorsen invoked President Donald Trump and conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed at Utah Valley University just two days prior. “Given the serious nature of this violation, particularly in consideration of President Trump’s Presidential Action issued on March 25, 2025, titled ‘Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections,’ and in the wake of the recent violence and assassination of Charlie Kirk taking place in the state of Utah, it is imperative that we restore law and order. This begins with the integrity of Riverton’s municipal elections,” Halvorsen alleged. Party leaders pushed back against Halvorsen’s allegations, saying party bylaws do not prohibit endorsements in municipal races and their allegations are “not founded in any application of Utah law.” “Party endorsements are protected political speech and a standard function of political parties,” the response said. “Common sense suggests evaluating candidates on their merits, and we believe Tawnee McCay is a qualified Republican deserving of consideration, but the endorsement is not granted by default and therefore still hers to earn.” At the Sept. 2 executive committee meeting, Halvorsen and others objected in person. The committee eventually narrowed the plan, forgoing endorsements in races with more than one Republican. The only candidate to receive the party’s stamp of approval was Sandy mayoral candidate Cyndi Sharkey. After the meeting, Halvorsen emailed Carey to say the committee narrowing the endorsement process helped to “mitigate a claim against the party.” “Are we to take your statement about mitigating a claim against the party as a threat that you intended to sue the party if the motion to only endorse candidates in races with one Republican had failed?” Carey responded. Halvorsen admitted as much in her response. “What I am saying is that you put the entire party at risk, including the Executive Committee Members personally. Candidates could have sued, citizens from the city could have sued,” Halvorsen wrote. In that email, Halvorsen leveled a vague threat by referencing [an ongoing federal lawsuit](https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70871158/huber-v-united-states-government/?ref=utahpolitics.news) filed by her father, Steven Huber, against the Bureau of Land Management over a public lands dispute. “I think you should reach out to the Bureau of Land Management agents who are being sued individually and in their official capacities. The case is valued at 90 million and the attorney bills are over $100,000 and they have not even had a court hearing. You should ask them how it is going for them and if breaking the law was worth it for them,” Halvorsen wrote. Huber also [filed a racketeering lawsuit](https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71990574/huber-v-romero/?ref=utahpolitics.news) against U.S. Magistrate Judge Cecila Romero following a series of rulings against him in the initial case. In response, Carey said no one can sue the party over an endorsement, and he called out her “vendetta” against the McCays. “Let’s not be coy, Tracie…this was all about the McCays (sic), as was obvious from your first letter and email. There is no hiding that this was an overtly vendetta for you, so please stop hiding behind misinterpreted Utah law,” Carey wrote, adding if she still believed the party had broken the law, she should go to law enforcement. She did. On Sept. 5, [the group wrote city attorneys](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MeD5OKy%5FfAjxvsXvTY-cYP48pAGl7QOF/view?ref=utahpolitics.news) in Herriman, Riverton and Sandy, accusing party leaders of “illegal election interference” and urging prosecution of Carey and former chair Chris Null over the Sharkey endorsement. They cc’d a trio of Trump administration officials: U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and then FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino. The octet signed the letter with their official party titles. They also misspelled Bondi’s last name as “Bondie.” That last part—using official titles on a letter urging prosecution of their own party leaders—is reportedly what triggered the disciplinary process Charges were presented to the executive committee in January. After a reportedly eight-hour meeting on February 9, all eight were found guilty of conduct that "injured the good name of the Salt Lake County Republican Party." Two members, Kaye Sanderson and Laurel Fetzer, were convicted of violating the duties of an Executive Committee Member. Halvorsen also caught additional charges for violating the party’s standards of conduct for making “repeated social media posts containing personal attacks, name-calling, and derogatory language directed at fellow Party members, officers and delegates” and for engaging in disruptive behavior at Republican Party meetings. She was also accused of posting Carey’s private cell phone online. In a press release announcing the sanctions, Party Chair Mike Carey framed the discipline as a principled stand. “Fabricating baseless accusations of criminal activity by Party leadership, only to then be weaponized as lawfare, crosses an unacceptable line,” Carey said. “Let this serve as a clear message: Accountability is non-negotiable, and those who seek to tear down the Party from within will face consequences.” ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Utah's nuclear option on immigration: no banking, no jobs, no homes, no sanctuary URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utahs-nuclear-option-on-immigration-no-banking-no-jobs-no-homes-no-sanctuary/ Last updated: 2026-02-19T21:10:13.000Z Rep. Trevor Lee, R-Layton, isn't satisfied punishing undocumented immigrants. He wants to punish the governments that won't help him do it. And he's bringing a sledgehammer. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****15 days** \- The final day of the 2026 Utah Legislature (3/6/2026) ****18 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****26 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****51 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****66 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****125 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****258 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****992 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) Fresh off advancing a bill to [strip unauthorized immigrants](https://www.ksl.com/article/51449774/utah-committee-oks-bill-meant-to-end-public-benefits-for-immigrants-in-the-country-illegally?ref=utahpolitics.news) of public benefits, the Republican lawmaker has dropped [HB571](https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0571.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)—a sweeping, maximalist crackdown that touches nearly every corner of Utah law. It would outlaw “sanctuary” policies, force local jails to assist federal immigration enforcement, narrow first-time homebuyer aid, slap employers with stiffer penalties and new E-Verify rules, police international money transfers, limit bank access for people without proper ID, require English-only CDL exams, and curb the state’s liability in cases involving undocumented adults. ### Crackdown on “sanctuary cities” If a state or local government in Utah adopts a "sanctuary" immigration policy—anything that limits cooperation with federal immigration enforcement—HB571 orders the state Attorney General to sue and requires courts to permanently block the policy. Officials responsible for enacting it could be fined up to $5,000 and would be barred from using public funds to defend themselves in court. In some cases, they could be impeached or removed from office. [Utah doesn’t have any formal sanctuary cities](https://senate.utah.gov/utah-leaders-respond-to-ice-office-memo/?ref=utahpolitics.news), but Salt Lake City and a handful of other municipalities have at various times adopted more limited approaches to cooperation with federal immigration agencies. HB571 appears tailor-made to ensure that can never happen again—and that anyone who tries pays personally for the attempt. Also under the bill, sheriffs who run county jails would be required to hand over, upon federal request, a complete list of all prisoners and their immigration status. In short: Utah government at every level is expected to act as an arm of federal immigration enforcement. ### Restrictions on homebuying The bill narrows Utah’s first-time homebuyer assistance program to people who are lawfully present in the United States. The provision appears to have its genesis in claims that undocumented immigrants are snapping up homes, driving up prices, and locking citizens out of the market. Those claims have been [amplified by Vice President JD Vance](https://www.politico.com/news/2024/10/04/jd-vance-illegal-immigrants-housing-00182391?ref=utahpolitics.news) and [echoed by Lee on social media](https://x.com/VoteTrevorLee/status/1985772281277403634?ref=utahpolitics.news). > No the main reason we have a housing shortage is the massive influx in illegals. [pic.twitter.com/Ew2BZq8dZs](https://t.co/Ew2BZq8dZs?ref=utahpolitics.news) > > — Trevor Lee (@VoteTrevorLee) [November 4, 2025](https://twitter.com/VoteTrevorLee/status/1985772281277403634?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) It’s a compelling narrative. It’s also wrong. Undocumented immigrants are [overwhelmingly renters, not buyers](https://forumtogether.org/article/explainer-immigrants-and-housing/?ref=utahpolitics.news). They are largely ineligible for federally backed mortgages through FHA, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac. They’re more likely to double up with extended family than form new households, which means they generate lower per-capita housing demand than U.S.-born households, according to University of Colorado Denver economist Chloe East. “JD Vance is incorrect in his claim," [East said flatly](https://www.npr.org/2024/10/18/nx-s1-5138059/examining-how-undocumented-migrants-are-affecting-housing-prices?ref=utahpolitics.news). "While undocumented immigrants may play a small role in increasing housing prices in some areas, the majority of the reason that we're seeing increases in housing prices is other factors separate from undocumented immigration." The United States has [roughly 4.5 million fewer homes](https://www.npr.org/2024/10/18/nx-s1-5138059/examining-how-undocumented-migrants-are-affecting-housing-prices?ref=utahpolitics.news) than new families need, and one in four renters spends over half their income on housing. [Utah's affordability crisis](https://nlihc.org/housing-needs-by-state/utah?ref=utahpolitics.news) is a product of decades of underbuilding, restrictive zoning, and a [construction labor shortage](https://marriner.eccles.utah.edu/immigration-crackdown-housings-hidden-threat/?ref=utahpolitics.news)—the last of which would not be helped by policies like this one. ### Employers and E-Verify HB571 makes it illegal for any person to knowingly hire or employ an unauthorized immigrant, with steep, escalating penalties. A first violation brings a one-year business license suspension and fines up to $10,000\. Repeat violations can mean multi-year suspensions, permanent license revocation, and fines up to $500,000 if an unauthorized worker's actions cause a death. Knowingly employing 50 or more unauthorized workers is a third-degree felony. The section on workers’ compensation is particularly strict. If an employer knowingly hires an unauthorized worker and that person is injured on the job, the employer becomes personally and fully liable for all medical costs, cannot shift those costs to insurance, and faces fines up to $50,000 per violation. While this sounds like accountability for employers, it erases any protections for undocumented workers. The bill also requires employers to verify work authorization status through E-Verify *before* filing any workers' compensation claim for any employee legal or not. Miss that step, and your insurer doesn't have to pay. The employer covers everything out of pocket. ### Banking and money transfers Licensed money transmitters—think Western Union, not banks—would be barred from sending money overseas unless they first verify the sender isn't an "unauthorized alien," using specific approved forms of ID. Records must be kept for five years. If a business sends money without completing verification, it faces a penalty equal to 25% of the amount transferred. Put plainly, if a person wanted to wire money to family in Mexico or Guatemala, the business processing that transfer must confirm your immigration status first or face a fine worth a quarter of everything you sent. The Department of Financial Institutions would run random quarterly audits to make sure businesses comply. [Remittances are often](https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/voices/remittances-are-critical-economic-stabilizer?ref=utahpolitics.news) the primary financial lifeline for families across Latin America. Lee’s proposal is much harsher than another bill currently under consideration that targets international remittances. HB141 from Rep. Stephanie Gricius, R-Eagle Mountain, imposes a 2% tax on international money transfers unless the customer shows a valid ID. Additionally, Utah banks and credit unions would be barred from accepting Utah's "driving privilege" cards that are issued specifically to people without lawful status to open accounts, access loans, rent safe deposit boxes, or use other banking services. ### Other impacts The bill also requires all commercial driver's license instruction and testing to be conducted in English only, with no interpreters, translators, or language accommodations permitted except where federal law requires otherwise. And it restricts the state's own liability, barring the state from settling or paying claims involving an adult who is in the country unlawfully or who refuses to provide proof of lawful citizenship. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Who wants Prop. 4 repealed? Mostly Republicans, and the signatures prove it URL: https://utahpolitics.news/who-wants-prop-4-repealed-mostly-republicans-and-the-signatures-prove-it/ Last updated: 2026-02-18T21:09:58.000Z Utah Republicans aren’t just leading the charge to put a repeal of the state’s anti‑gerrymandering law on the November ballot—they're also supplying most of the signatures to get it there. Prop. 4, the voter‑approved anti‑gerrymandering measure that created an independent redistricting commission, is squarely in the crosshairs. Utahns for Representative Government, the group behind the Prop. 4 repeal effort, is led by Utah Republican Party Chairman Rob Axson and several other party officials and elected Republicans. Using signature data from the Utah Lt. Governor’s office and [voter data provided by L2](https://www.l2-data.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news), Utah Political Watch matched approximately 85% of petition signers to the statewide voter file. Roughly 15,000 signers could not be matched because their information is not available publicly. By the numbers: - Nearly 70% of voters who signed the petition are registered Republicans. - Just under 20% do not belong to any political party. - Approximately 7% are registered Democrats. No one’s shocked that a GOP‑run campaign draws GOP signers. However, Republican voters are still overrepresented on the petitions compared to the overall partisan breakdown of the state. Republicans make up 51% of all Utah voters, but are responsible for just under 70% of petition signatures. Democrats account for 13.5% of Utah voters, but only 7% of signatures. Independents make up 28.5% of all voters, but only 20% of signatures. In nearly every one of Utah’s 29 state Senate districts, Republicans account for the most signatures that have been logged so far. The only exception is Senate District 9, where 32% of signatures come from independent voters and 30% are from Democrats. Just 28% are from registered Republicans. District 9 is represented by Democrat Jen Plumb in the state Senate. ### Where signatures are coming from More than half of the signatures that have been verified through Wednesday have come from just three counties - Salt Lake and Utah counties each account for just under 25% of the total number of signatures. Approximately 12% are from Washington County. Nine counties (Beaver, Duchesne, Emery, Garfield, Grand, Rich, Piute, Wayne and Daggett) account for just over 1% of all verified signatures. ### Campaign update The latest signature totals released Wednesday morning show the campaign is still gaining ground, adding 5,827 net signatures. So far, just over 100,000 signatures have been verified, and the campaign is at 71% of the statewide requirement of 140,748\. Another 40,741 signatures gets them over the top. The effort also needs verified signatures from 8% of registered voters in 26 of the state’s 29 Senate districts. So far, they’ve reached the required total in four districts. Those districts have tallied 5,516 total surplus signatures above the requirement. Two districts, Senate Districts 1 and 25 are more than 90% of the way toward the goal. Senate District 11 is at 83%, and five more are above 70%. The total shortfall in the 25 currently failing districts is 45,863 signatures. According to Wednesday’s update, another 113 signatures were removed from petitions. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Utah Republicans are very mad about forced ideology. A new bill forces some ideology on campuses URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-republicans-are-very-mad-about-forced-ideology-a-new-bill-forces-some-ideology-on-campus/ Last updated: 2026-02-18T15:53:17.000Z Utah Sen. John Johnson, R-Ogden, has a novel fix for “intellectual diversity” on campus: make universities stage ideological showpieces—and punish them if they don’t. His new bill, [SB295](https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/SB0295.html?ref=utahpolitics.news), orders public colleges to host and record events on public policy that feature “differing viewpoints,” even as it extends the Legislature’s campaign to gut every other form of diversity. That mandate isn’t a suggestion. Schools that don’t comply could see their funding cut—letting the GOP‑controlled Legislature that has framed DEI programs as government overreach wield the government’s checkbook to enforce ideological programming. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****16 days** \- The final day of the 2026 Utah Legislature (3/6/2026) ****19 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****27 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****52 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****67 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****126 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****259 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****993 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Democrat Ben McAdams jumps into Utah redistricting brawl, tells federal court: Don't blow up 2026 map URL: https://utahpolitics.news/democrat-ben-mcadams-jumps-into-utah-redistricting-brawl-tells-federal-court-dont-blow-up-2026-map/ Last updated: 2026-02-17T22:40:46.000Z Former Utah Democratic Congressman Ben McAdams has waded into the state’s redistricting brawl, [filing an amicus brief](https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72222409/81/powers-gardner-v-henderson/?ref=utahpolitics.news) that urges a federal court to leave in place the judge-ordered congressional map for the 2026 midterms. His message: it’s too late to blow up the lines again. Reps. Celeste Maloy and Burgess Owens, along with a coalition of Republican county commissioners, [filed suit in federal court](https://utahpolitics.news/maloy-and-owens-sue-in-federal-court-to-block-utahs-new-congressional-map/) earlier this month seeking to block the map, known as “Map 1,” put in place by Third District Judge Dianna Gibson. On Tuesday, McAdams [filed an amicus brief](https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72222409/81/powers-gardner-v-henderson/?ref=utahpolitics.news) in the case, arguing that it’s too late in the 2026 electoral cycle to change the congressional map again. Doing so would unfairly disrupt voters and campaigns that are already relying on the current lines. He casts the GOP lawsuit as a recipe for confusion. “(Gibson’s) Order established the operative boundaries for the 2026 election cycle. Since then, every candidate has had notice of the congressional districts as defined by Map 1 and has had to start campaigning from an even playing field,” McAdams’s filing reads. McAdams says his team has raised about $955,000 since December 2025 and spent over $200,000\. He’s hired six full-time staff and consultants and leased office space. His campaign [qualified for the ballot ](https://utahpolitics.news/democrat-ben-mcadams-first-to-qualify-for-utahs-new-1st-district-ballot-with-signatures/)last week by collecting the required 7,000 signatures using both volunteers and paid signature gatherers. It’s not just about campaign spending, according to McAdams. Blocking Map 1 would also trample on the rights of the volunteers who are helping his campaign. “The campaign volunteers, donors, delegates and supporters who, upon reliance that the CD1 (Utah’s 1st Congressional District) boundary was conclusively set, have already exercised their First Amendment right to participate in the political process. Efforts that would be effectively nullified and suppressed if Plaintiffs’ motion is granted.” Last August, Gibson ruled the GOP-controlled Utah Legislature unconstitutionally repealed Prop. 4—the 2018 ballot initiative approved by voters that created an independent redistricting commission and banned gerrymandering. She also threw out the 2021 congressional map approved by lawmakers that resulted from the repeal of Prop. 4. In November, Gibson rejected the replacement map approved by lawmakers and put in place Map 1, which was drawn by the plaintiffs in the case. That map creates a Democratic-leaning district centered on Salt Lake County. There are seven other Democrats running for the nomination in that district. In their lawsuit, Owens and Maloy claim that Gibson overstepped her constitutional authority by imposing the plaintiffs’ map, arguing that a judge can block an unlawful map, but the power to draw a new map belongs to the Utah Legislature. They also make a similar argument to McAdams, that uncertainty about which map will be in place for the 2026 election has had a negative impact on their campaigns. However, they claim that they planned to run for re-election using the 2021 map, then started preparing to use the remedial map from the Utah Legislature, but were blindsided when Gibson picked the plaintiffs’ map. In other words, both sides say the whiplash hurts them—just for opposite reasons. Last week the Utah Legislature, which is also appealing Gibson’s ruling to the Utah Supreme Court, [filed an amicus brief](https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72222409/57/powers-gardner-v-henderson/?ref=utahpolitics.news) supporting Maloy and Owens’ request for a preliminary injunction blocking the maps, allowing the state to use the 2021 Congressional map in the 2026 election while the court fight plays out. The first hearing in the case is set for Wednesday morning in Salt Lake City. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Prop. 4 repeal campaign surges—and Sunday's signature dump hasn't even hit yet URL: https://utahpolitics.news/prop-4-repeal-campaign-surges-and-sundays-signature-dump-hasnt-even-hit-yet/ Last updated: 2026-02-17T20:17:54.000Z We won’t know the impact of the last‑minute signature dump for a few days, but the ballot push to put a repeal of Utah’s anti‑gerrymandering law on November’s ballot is clearly accelerating. New figures released Tuesday from the Utah Lt. Governor’s office show Utahns for Representative Government added a net 5,232 verified signatures, bringing the statewide total to 94,180—about 67% of the 140,748 required. They still need 46,568. On Sunday, [organizers claimed a total](https://utahpolitics.news/utahs-prop-4-repeal-effort-banks-big-numbers-but-the-map-and-rescission-effort-could-kill-it/) of “many tens of thousands” above 200,000 after turning in a flurry of petitions at the last minute. If that’s accurate, it would almost guarantee the campaign will reach the statewide goal. Using a \~75% acceptance rate as a benchmark, clerks have processed roughly 125,000 so far, leaving an estimated 75,000 to 125,000 signatures in the backlog. The campaign must also hit 8% of voters in 26 state Senate districts. Four districts (26, 27, 28, 29) are already qualified; they need 22 of the remaining 25—meaning they can miss in up to three. Sunday’s signature dump boosts the odds of clearing the 8% threshold in enough districts—if those petitions are concentrated where they’re still short. If “many tens of thousands above 200,000” means 240,000 or more, the campaign likely qualifies for the ballot. If it’s 230,000 or less, the math gets dicey. Assuming \~95% of remaining petitions are concentrated in the 25 still‑failing districts and a \~75% acceptance rate, a final tally of 240,000+ likely gets them to 28 qualifying districts; 230,000 or less likely falls short. Opponents of the repeal measure are currently contacting voters who may have been misled about the initiative to remove their signatures from petitions—a tactic that could chip away at the district thresholds. From Jan. 23 to Feb. 17, Utah Political Watch identified 1,633 voters who signed the petition who later had their signatures removed, including 140 in Tuesday’s update. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Utah lawmakers want to take over high school sports. Price tag: nearly $1 million URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-lawmakers-want-to-take-over-high-school-sports-price-tag-nearly-1-million/ Last updated: 2026-02-17T15:34:37.000Z Utah lawmakers want to yank control of high school sports from the private Utah High School Activities Association and park it inside a brand new state office—at a price tag of nearly $1 million a year. The move would also create a wide-open lane for partisan politics to crash Friday Night Lights. Currently, high school sports in Utah are run by the Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA), a private nonprofit separate from the state. UHSAA is governed by a 15-member Board of Trustees—local school board members, district superintendents, principals, plus charter, private school, and Utah State Board of Education representatives—with an Executive Committee that enforces rules and runs events. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****17 days** \- The final day of the 2026 Utah Legislature (3/6/2026) ****20 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****28 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****53 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****68 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****127 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****260 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****994 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) It’s funded by ticket sales and sponsorships, not tax dollars. [SB271](https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/SB0271.html?ref=utahpolitics.news), from Sen. Keith Grover (R–Provo), blows up that arrangement. It creates an Office of Interscholastic Activities inside the Utah State Board of Education and shifts governing authority from UHSAA to the new office. The office sets eligibility, transfer, recruiting, and enforcement rules—and hears appeals. It can contract with an “association” (presumably UHSAA) to handle the logistics (scheduling, tournaments), and day-to-day operations, but governing power moves to the state. A director appointed by the elected State Board of Education runs the office and hires staff “as necessary.” Legislative analysts peg the annual cost at $864,200—new taxpayer money for a role UHSAA currently performs without state funding. SB271 sets up an Interscholastic Advisory Council with public and private school reps, athletic directors, coaches, parents, at least one student-athlete, and a seat for the contracted association. The council drafts eligibility and transfer rules—but the State Board has to approve them and can modify them. The bill hard-codes a pro-transfer policy inside state statute. The advisory council must adopt the most “inclusive” rules possible—“minimal friction,” honoring mobility and school choice. That’s a stark reversal from UHSAA’s current presumption against athletically motivated transfers, which often forces sit-out periods. Moving oversight into a state agency overseen by elected, partisan state board members could inject politics into high school sports. Board members approve or rewrite the rules, and they’re elected in partisan contests. Because the office is housed inside the State Board, its director answers to the Board. Rules coming from the advisory council only take effect if the Board signs off—and the Board can reshape them around hot‑button issues like school choice, gender policies, and private/charter participation. The bill also requires an annual report to the Education Interim Committee about eligibility appeals, financial transparency, realignment, and other issues, which invites legislative scrutiny and hearings where partisan priorities can be pressed. SB271 creates an environment that could inject partisan politics into the oversight of high school athletics in the state by moving control from a private board (UHSAA) into a state agency structure overseen by elected State Board of Education members with legislative oversight. The bill tries to create some guardrails against that possibility by writing transfer policies into statute. The advisory council is made up of a mix of school reps, parents, coaches, and others, which diffuses decision-making beyond political appointees, but the board ultimately has override power. If the legislation is approved, Utah would land on the more centralized end of the spectrum. Most states use independent associations, separate from state agencies. Some—Tennessee and Oklahoma—have tighter ties. Florida is trying to go further, with a governor‑appointed board overseeing high school sports. SB271 goes further than that by creating a new state office and handing it governing power over high school sports. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Utah's Prop. 4 repeal effort banks big numbers—but the map and rescission effort could kill it URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utahs-prop-4-repeal-effort-banks-big-numbers-but-the-map-and-rescission-effort-could-kill-it/ Last updated: 2026-02-16T20:34:49.000Z Utah’s campaign to repeal Prop. 4, the voter-approved anti-gerrymandering initiative that created an independent redistricting commission, dumped a mountain of signatures at the last minute on Sunday, likely clearing the statewide bar. The catch is the map: to qualify for November’s ballot, organizers still need verified signatures from 8% of registered voters in 26 of 29 Senate districts. Opponents are trying to peel names off petitions, which is drawing pushback from national Republicans telling Utahns to “just say NO!” [Read More at Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/utahs-prop-4-repeal-effort-banks-big-numbers-but-the-map-and-rescission-effort-could-kill-it) ### **How did organizers get so many signatures at the last minute?** The eleventh‑hour flood sparked chatter that organizers were “sandbagging” by sitting on packets until the buzzer or worse—that the signatures could be fraudulent. Here’s the boring (and relevant) truth: a packet has 30 days from its first signature to be submitted. Plenty of packets that started weeks ago only came in on Sunday. That looks like a surge—without proving shady timing. GOP Chairman Rob Axson, who leads Utahns for Representative Government (UFRG), says they weren’t “sandbagging.” “Campaigns are always meant to be a crescendo,” Axson says, adding that it’s very labor-intensive to distribute and then collect signature packets from across the state. The last-day surge looks even stranger alongside UFRG’s bid to have the Utah Supreme Court [extend the deadline](https://utahpolitics.news/prop-4-repeal-campaign-asks-utah-supreme-court-for-extension-to-turn-in-signatures/) from Sunday to Tuesday. Axson says they went to court for two reasons: alleged interference with the petition drive and confusion over a weekend deadline. “There were some important things we felt we needed to raise while they were still open issues,” Axson said. “The violence we experienced, for example.” UFRG alleges roughly 300 signatures were stolen or destroyed and that at least 50 circulators quit amid threats and harassment. They also argue Utah’s practice is to roll weekend deadlines to the next business day. “Custom in Utah had always been to have a deadline reflected next ‘business day’ when falling on a weekend or holiday. Our ask for Tuesday was honoring that,” Axson said. He added, “We assumed the court would reject \[our petition\], but for those reasons we still felt it important to raise the question.” Could the last-minute court gambit be an attempt to set up a lawsuit should the initiative fail to secure enough signatures to qualify for the ballot? Losing initiative campaigns in Utah routinely sue to extend deadlines, force acceptance of signatures, or reverse rejections. Axson denies this was about setting up future litigation. “Our position is that the deadline should have always been the next business day. That was the request we were making,” Axson says. He also says they wanted to keep the spotlight on the harassment and violence toward signature gatherers. “I, for one, pray that the violence and intimidation tactics stop in Utah! I don’t care what side of an issue or end of the political spectrum. There is no room for that. Raising those elements on the record hopefully will contribute to Utah being free of that.” ### **How many signatures did they turn in on Sunday?** Axson says the final signature tally from his group is “tens of thousands of signatures” toward the 200,000 raw‑signature mark. Not all of those came in on Sunday. As of Friday, 88,948 signatures were verified—about 63% of the statewide target. That left 51,800 to go. Barring a signature-verification catastrophe, Sunday’s haul likely means UFRG will comfortably clear the statewide bar. At a 75% acceptance rate, netting 51,800 verified signatures would take roughly 70,000 raw signatures; the campaign says Sunday’s drop exceeded that. Verification lags by several days. Assuming 15,000-20,000 raw signatures are already in the pipeline, Sunday’s push looks like an additional 60,000 to 130,000 raw signatures, leaving roughly \~75,000-150,000 still to be processed. Axson says he still doesn’t know Sunday’s exact total because the final push overshot expectations. “We could have gathered another 100K beyond that but had stopped gathering in most of the state a long time ago to ensure that the numbers were gathered and turned in from the locations needed to exceed all the requirements,” Axson said. “I could have turned in 350K if we wanted to just make the point of the total number, but we wanted to engage in every district and far exceed all the requirements with what we turned in.” Assuming 75% acceptance, that pipeline translates to \~45,000-113,000 verified—enough to push them past the statewide mark. ### **Geography is the biggest hurdle** To qualify for the ballot, organizers need both the statewide total and verified signatures from 8% of registered voters in 26 of 29 Senate districts. As of Friday, they’d cleared the bar in just four districts. They need 22 more and can only miss in three. The 25 districts still under the line need 55,648 more verified signatures, total. If Sunday’s dump plus the assumed pipeline nets \~100,000 verified signatures, that’s an average of \~4,000 in each of the 25 lagging districts—enough to carry most of them across the finish line. Those remaining signatures won’t be evenly distributed, though. Five Senate districts still need 3,000+ verified signatures to hit the threshold: - SD14 still needs 4,190 signatures - SD7 still needs 3,546 signatures - SD17 still needs 3,338 signatures - SD19 still needs 3,235 signatures - SD8 still needs 3,042 signatures County clerks have 21 days from the day that signatures are submitted to verify them. The final day for signature verification is March 7. ### **Signature removal will be a huge factor in success or failure** Opponents are contacting signers to yank their names from the petitions. Approximately 1,200 Utahns erased their names from the list between Jan. 23 and Feb. 13, [including 727 on Friday alone](https://utahpolitics.news/prop-4-repeal-effort-hits-highs-as-signature-removals-mount-ahead-of-sunday-deadline/). That effort will continue as opponents have 45 days from the day that a petition signer’s name is posted online to have it removed. On Monday, a mass text from the Republican National Committee on behalf of UFRG seemingly aimed at the signature rescission effort went out to Utahns. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/02/2026.02.16-Prop-4-text.jpg) “Warning: Be careful about people asking for your information about petition signatures,” the text message says. “We have received reports these paid canvassers work for a firm under criminal investigation in another state. Don’t give them your information, just say NO!” Axson did not respond to questions about the text message from Utah Political Watch. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Update: Utah Supreme Court rejects last-minute bid to extend Prop. 4 signature deadline URL: https://utahpolitics.news/prop-4-repeal-campaign-asks-utah-supreme-court-for-extension-to-turn-in-signatures/ Last updated: 2026-02-14T00:49:07.000Z On Friday afternoon, the Utah Supreme Court denied an emergency request from the organizers of Utah's Prop. 4 repeal campaign to extend the deadline for submitting signatures. Utahns for Representative Government (UFRG) filed the emergency request on Wednesday, citing a sustained campaign of violence, intimidation and harassment directed at signature gatherers. They asked the court to extend the deadline from Feb. 15 to Feb. 18—or a two-day extension in Salt Lake, Davis, Utah, Washington, Summit and Weber counties, where they alleged the worst problems occurred. UFRG said roughly 300 signatures were stolen or destroyed, and at least 50 petition circulators quit because of threats and harassment. Additionally, UFRG argued state law is ambiguous about what happens when the Feb. 15 signature deadline falls on a Sunday. The group says the deadline should move to the following business day, which in this case would be Feb. 17, since Monday is Presidents's Day. In an opinion issued Friday afternoon, the court said UFRG waited too long for emergency relief because the alleged harassment occurred in January and the petition wasn’t filed until this week. "While we strongly condemn the threats and violence described in the petition, we conclude, for several reasons, that UFRG has not shown entitlement to the relief it seeks," the opinion from Chief Justice Matthew Durant said. Justices also said the request was too fact-heavy to rush. They didn’t question that some gatherers walked away, but noted UFRG offered no declarations from those workers and leaned on hearsay. They also pointed to a statement from Rob Axson, one of the organizers, earlier this week that UFRG has "not actually struggled to gain signatures" for the initiative, which raises factual questions that the court couldn't resolve given the short timeframe. Earlier this week, Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson urged the court to deny any extension, arguing organizers waited too long. Salt Lake County Clerk Lannie Chapman also urged the court to deny the petition, noting that UFRG is still tens of thousands of signatures short of the required number to qualify for November’s ballot. She argued that there’s little evidence to support UFRG’s contention of a “coordinated” campaign of violence against signature gatherers, and a three-day extension is disproportionate to the alleged loss of 300 signatures. With the denial, the deadline for submitting signatures remains Sunday. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Prop. 4 repeal effort hits highs as signature removals mount ahead of Sunday deadline URL: https://utahpolitics.news/prop-4-repeal-effort-hits-highs-as-signature-removals-mount-ahead-of-sunday-deadline/ Last updated: 2026-02-13T22:05:34.000Z The campaign to repeal Utah’s anti-gerrymandering law—Proposition 4, the 2018 voter-approved ban on partisan gerrymandering—logged its best net day Friday, adding 3,929 signatures toward November’s ballot. The surge came as a parallel signature‑removal push also hit a high. With two days left before the Feb. 15 deadline, organizers are just over 63% of the 140,748 statewide signatures required, with 88,950 verified and 51,800 to go. They also must hit signature thresholds in at least 26 of the state’s 29 Senate districts. So far, they’ve qualified in four and are more than halfway there in 15 more. On Thursday, there were 4,656 new signatures verified, a record for the campaign. That was offset by 727 signatures removed from the petition, also a record number. The net gain was just over 3,900 new signatures. Opponents of the ballot measure are contacting Utahns who have already signed to have their signatures removed following multiple reports that voters were misled about what the ballot initiative does and allegations of fraudulent signatures. An analysis of verified signature lists from Jan. 23 to Feb. 13 by Utah Political Watch shows nearly 1,200 total signatures removed from the petition so far. Signature packets are due Sunday, Feb. 15\. County clerks will accept petitions over the weekend then have 21 days to verify. The final day for verification is March 7. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Utah's SEL panic hits a wall URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utahs-sel-panic-hits-a-wall/ Last updated: 2026-02-13T16:07:13.000Z Rep. Trevor Lee, R‑Layton, styles himself as one of the Utah Legislature’s loudest culture warriors. So far this session, he’s 0‑for‑3: his headline‑grabbing bids—including [over‑the‑counter ivermectin](https://utahpolitics.news/medical-experts-1-do-your-own-research-0-utah-house-committee-nixes-ivermectin-bill/) and [easier opt‑outs from school vaccine rules](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-bill-easing-school-vaccine-exemptions-stalls-on-tie-vote/)—have died in committee. On Thursday, make it 0‑for‑4: the House Education Committee shelved [HB399](https://le.utah.gov/Session/2026/bills/static/HB0399.html?ref=utahpolitics.news). ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****2 days** \- Signature deadline for ballot initiative seeking to repeal Prop. 4 (2/15/2026) ****21 days** \- The final day of the 2026 Utah Legislature (3/6/2026) ****24 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****32 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****57 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****71 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****130 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****263 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****998 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Trump Jr. and Ted Nugent say Utah's anti-gerrymandering law threatens the Second Amendment URL: https://utahpolitics.news/trump-jr-and-ted-nugent-say-utahs-anti-gerrymandering-law-threatens-the-second-amendment/ Last updated: 2026-02-12T21:42:50.000Z What do gun rights have to do with Utah’s gerrymandering fight? If you ask Donald Trump Jr. and Ted Nugent, everything. The two Republican celebrities cut ads on behalf of [Hunter Nation](https://hunternation.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news), urging Utahns to sign the repeal petition before the Feb. 15 deadline. Both sit on the board of the Kansas-based pro-hunting group. The ads warn that gun rights are on the chopping block unless Utahns overturn Prop. 4, the law that set up an independent redistricting commission. “By signing to repeal Proposition 4, you will be defending our hunting heritage, our Second Amendment rights, and keeping outside interests from interfering in Utah,” the ad script reads. The reference to “outside interests” is curious. Hunter Nation is based in Kansas, and the signature drive to put the Prop. 4 repeal on the ballot is largely [funded by Securing American Greatness](https://utahpolitics.news/morning-memo-trump-aligned-dark-money-group-drops-another-2-1-million-into-prop-4-repeal-effort/), a Florida-based dark money group that has put in $4.35 million so far. It’s unclear who funded the ads, as they appear to lack the required disclosures under Utah law. The [Meta Ad Library](https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/?id=4206844319569018) shows the group has spent about $7,000 on three versions of the ads since they began running last week. Hunter Nation did not respond to questions from Utah Political Watch. Utah GOP Chairman Rob Axson, who heads up Utahns for Representative Government, the group behind the Prop. 4 repeal signature drive, says Hunter Nation produced the ads independently, but he appreciates the support. “Clearly it is their belief that the interests of hunters on issues like the 2nd amendment will not be as well served in Congress as a result of this map being forced on the state,” Axson said. Axson added the campaign didn’t pay Hunter Nation, Trump, or Nugent for the ads. ## **Prop. 4 signature update** The campaign had another strong day on Thursday, adding 3,192 signatures. t’s the first time since November they’ve topped 3,000 new signatures two days in a row. They currently have 85,019 verified signatures, which is just over 60% of the way toward the statewide requirement of 140,748 to qualify for the ballot. They need 55,729 more. The main problem for organizers is reaching the signature requirements in 26 state Senate districts. So far, they’ve cleared the bar in just four. Complicating that equation are Utahns who are asking to have their signatures removed from petitions. Another 119 signatures came off the rolls yesterday, according to verification data. The total number of removals since Jan. 23 is 663. The deadline for submitting signatures is Sunday, but county clerks have 21 days to complete the verification process, which could stretch until March 7. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Democrat Ben McAdams first to qualify for Utah's new 1st District ballot with signatures URL: https://utahpolitics.news/democrat-ben-mcadams-first-to-qualify-for-utahs-new-1st-district-ballot-with-signatures/ Last updated: 2026-02-12T14:40:26.000Z ****Paywall? Not today.** This story's for everyone. But if you want more of this, subscribe and support independent journalism that answers to readers, not political agendas. Former Congressman Ben McAdams, a Democrat, is the first signature-gathering candidate to qualify for November’s congressional ballot in Utah’s new 1st District. McAdams’ campaign reached the required 7,000 verified signatures on Tuesday. “I’m deeply grateful to the more than 7,000 Utahns who signed and to the volunteers and staff who worked tirelessly to make it happen. I look forward to taking our campaign directly to the delegates and voters to share my ideas, what I stand for, and my record of getting things done,” McAdams said in a statement to Utah Political Watch. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****3 days** \- Signature deadline for ballot initiative seeking to repeal Prop. 4 (2/15/2026) ****22 days** \- The final day of the 2026 Utah Legislature (3/6/2026) ****25 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****33 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****58 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****72 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****131 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****264 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****999 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) McAdams is one of eight signature-gathering Democratic candidates running in the new 1st Congressional District, which covers most of Salt Lake County. The district exists because 3rd District Judge Dianna Gibson [tossed the Legislature’s 2021 map](https://utahpolitics.news/judge-tosses-utahs-congressional-maps-orders-new-maps-in-30-days/) and later rejected its [remedial map](https://utahpolitics.news/map-tossed-math-changed/) as an illegal gerrymander under Prop. 4, instead installing [the plaintiffs’ map](https://utahpolitics.news/who-wants-a-donut-judge-throws-out-legislatures-map-proposal/) that yields a Democratic-leaning seat in Salt Lake County. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/02/2026.02.12-Utah-Congressional-Map.jpg) Utah's current congressional map The map may not survive. The Legislature is [appealing Gibson’s decision](https://utahpolitics.news/judge-scolds-utah-legislature-for-legal-gamesmanship-in-redistricting-case-grants-appeal-anyway/) to the Utah Supreme Court, while a coalition of GOP officials, including Reps. Celeste Maloy and Burgess Owens, is [suing in federal court](https://utahpolitics.news/maloy-and-owens-sue-in-federal-court-to-block-utahs-new-congressional-map/). A hearing is set for next week. [Verified signature totals](https://vote.utah.gov/2026-signature-gathering-candidates/?ref=utahpolitics.news) for the other Democratic candidates as of Thursday morning (7,000 needed to qualify): - Nate Blouin - 3,686 - Eva Lopez Chavez - 1,106 - Liban Mohamed - 689 - Michael Farrell - 18 - Kathleen Riebe - 0 - Derek Kitchen - 0 - Luis Villarreal - 0 Last week, Republican Dave Robinson joined the signature-gathering scramble for the new 1st District. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Prop. 4 repeal push losing hundreds of signatures as voters have their names removed URL: https://utahpolitics.news/prop-4-repeal-push-losing-hundreds-of-signatures-as-voters-have-their-names-removed/ Last updated: 2026-02-11T20:21:24.000Z The Republican-led push to repeal Prop. 4, the 2018 anti-gerrymandering measure that created an independent redistricting commission, is suddenly bleeding signatures. Over the last four days, 254 voters have asked to pull their name from the petition, including an eye-popping 194 in the last day. An analysis conducted by Utah Political Watch of signature totals from the Utah Lt. Governor’s Office from Jan. 23 to Feb. 11 shows 556 voters had their signatures removed from the petition. The uptick lines up with [the launch of a campaign by Better Boundaries](https://utahpolitics.news/after-78-days-utah-prop-4-repeal-campaign-finally-reaches-halfway/) urging people who signed the petition to remove their names. While the signature removal campaign won’t make much of a dent in the campaign’s overall progress toward the statewide goal of 140,748 signatures, the real danger is at the district level. To get on the ballot, organizers need both the statewide total and minimum signatures in 26 of Utah’s 29 Senate districts. Losing names inside those districts can blow up those thresholds even if the statewide number looks fine. Updated signature totals released Wednesday morning show two Senate districts reporting fewer signatures than the day before. District 3 had 13 fewer signatures, and District 5 dropped by one. Organizers cleared the district threshold in a fourth Senate district, SD26, on Wednesday; they still need 22 more districts to qualify for the ballot. The biggest drops are in GOP-held seats across northern Utah: - SD4 - Sen. Cal Musselman: 72 signatures removed - SD5 - Sen. Ann Millner: 69 signatures removed - SD3 - Sen. John Johnson: 56 signatures removed - SD2 - Sen. Chris Wilson: 55 signatures removed - SD6 - Sen. Jerry Stevenson: 49 signatures removed Statewide, the Prop. 4 repeal campaign sits at 58.14% of the 140,748-signature target. The deadline for collecting and submitting signatures is Sunday. They need 58,921 more verified signatures. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### How Utah Republicans kill bills they don't like: send them to a 'kill committee' URL: https://utahpolitics.news/how-utah-republicans-kill-bills-they-dont-like-send-them-to-a-kill-committee/ Last updated: 2026-02-11T15:47:57.000Z On Utah’s Capitol, there’s a simple way to make a bill look “considered” while ensuring it dies: send it to a “kill committee” and vote it down. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****4 days** \- Signature deadline for ballot initiative seeking to repeal Prop. 4 (2/15/2026) ****23 days** \- The final day of the 2026 Utah Legislature (3/6/2026) ****26 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****34 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****59 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****73 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****132 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****265 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****1,000 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Utah Prop. 4 repeal drive is at 56% with five days left URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-prop-4-repeal-drive-is-at-56-with-five-days-left/ Last updated: 2026-02-10T22:22:33.000Z Tuesday was brutal for Utah’s Prop. 4 repeal drive. It added just 1,121 new verified signatures, worse than Monday’s 1,174\. With only five days remaining to collect and verify signatures, the campaign sits at 56% of the statewide goal for ballot qualification and remains short in 23 state Senate districts where district-level quotas are required. Utah county clerks have until March 7 to verify signatures, which looks like a three-week cushion beyond the February 15 submission deadline. It isn’t. The extra time does nothing to solve the campaign’s fundamental problem: they aren’t collecting enough signatures. In fact, because 25–30% of signatures are getting tossed in some counties, organizers need to over-submit. To reach the statewide goal, organizers must submit approximately 17,000 signatures every day until Sunday to offset a 25% rejection rate. That’s roughly a tenfold jump from Tuesday’s pace. Organizers also have to hit district targets in 26 of Utah’s 29 Senate districts. So far, only three have qualified and SD26 is just 27 signatures shy of becoming the fourth, likely by Wednesday. Another eleven are above 50%. One Senate district, SD2, went backwards on Tuesday, posting 12 fewer signatures than the day before from people removing their names from petitions. That’s the third time in recent weeks that at least one district had fewer signatures than the day before. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Medical experts 1, 'Do your own research' 0: Utah House Committee nixes ivermectin bill URL: https://utahpolitics.news/medical-experts-1-do-your-own-research-0-utah-house-committee-nixes-ivermectin-bill/ Last updated: 2026-02-10T15:40:20.000Z On Utah’s Capitol Hill Monday night, it was medical experts versus self-styled “do your own research” warriors—and the doctors won…just barely. The House Health and Human Services Committee voted down [HB96](https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0096.html?ref=utahpolitics.news), from Rep. Trevor Lee, R-Layton, 5–7. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****5 days** \- Signature deadline for ballot initiative seeking to repeal Prop. 4 (2/15/2026) ****24 days** \- The final day of the 2026 Utah Legislature (3/6/2026) ****27 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****35 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****60 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****74 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****133 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****266 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****1,001 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Prop. 4 repeal update: Fuzzy math won't cut it URL: https://utahpolitics.news/prop-4-repeal-update-fuzzy-math-wont-cut-it/ Last updated: 2026-02-09T23:09:17.000Z Utahns for Representative Government, the group behind the campaign to repeal Utah’s anti-gerrymandering law, [says it has](https://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/07/trump-backed-redistricting-initiative-in-utah-goes-sideways-00767959?utm%5Fsource=dlvr.it&utm%5Fmedium=twitter) “many tens of thousands” of signatures in the pipeline. That’s a conveniently fuzzy number—and with the deadline just days away, those signatures need to come into focus, and soon. Per updated figures from the Utah Lt. Governor’s office, the campaign added just 1,174 verified signatures on Monday. They’re at 77,253 verified—54.9% of the 140,748 statewide requirement—leaving 63,495 still needed. With six days to go before the Feb. 15 submission deadline, that’s more than 10,500 new verified signatures every day. The law also requires 8% of voters in 26 of Utah’s 29 state Senate districts. So far, they’ve qualified in only three; a fourth (SD26) is 126 short. Even if they somehow hit the statewide pace, most districts would remain below the threshold, leaving the campaign far from the 26-district mark. County clerks get up to 21 days to verify after packets land on Sunday, which means we may not know until late February or early March whether Prop 4’s repeal makes the ballot. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Christian nationalist advising a Utah lawmaker on a proposed rewrite of the state's K-12 civics education URL: https://utahpolitics.news/christian-nationalist-advising-a-utah-lawmaker-on-a-proposed-rewrite-of-the-states-k-12-civics-education/ Last updated: 2026-02-09T21:39:10.000Z David Barton has no academic credentials in history or the U.S. Constitution. His book on Thomas Jefferson was pulled from shelves by the publisher for historical inaccuracies. Now he's helping a Utah lawmaker rewrite K-12 civics education standards—but a House committee hit pause on the bill last week. [HB312](https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0312.html?ref=utahpolitics.news), originally proposed by Rep. Ken Ivory, R-West Jordan, would require Utah public schools to repeatedly teach key U.S. founding documents using a “spiral” standard—revisiting the same texts at increasing levels of depth as students advance. Assisting Ivory with the bill is David Barton, who founded [WallBuilders](https://wallbuilders.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news), a Texas-based Christian advocacy group whose goal is to teach Americans about the “true story of America and our Biblical foundation,” [according to its website](https://wallbuilders.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news#:~:text=Preserve%20the%20past,our%20Biblical%20foundation.). He argues the [separation of church and state is a myth](https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/david-barton-texas-public-school-curricula/?ref=utahpolitics.news) and that the Founding Fathers established the U.S. to be a Christian nation. He was recently [appointed as an expert content advisor](https://www.texastribune.org/2025/09/24/texas-sboe-social-studies-standards-david-barton/?ref=utahpolitics.news) to the Texas State Board of Education ahead of that state’s social studies rewrite later this year. “That's what we really are training these kids for, to be able to inherit this country and be good stewards of this country so that we can go past 250 birthdays, which we're celebrating now,” Barton told the House Education Committee during a hearing last week. Barton, who describes himself as a "self-taught" historian, has no academic credentials in history or the Constitution. He has been repeatedly [accused of making up facts](https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/08/genuine-christian-scholars-smack-down-an-unruly-colleague/260994/?ref=utahpolitics.news) to fit his narrative. His first book, “The Jefferson Lies,” was [pulled from shelves by its publisher](https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2012/08/09/158510648/publisher-pulls-controversial-thomas-jefferson-book-citing-loss-of-confidence?ref=utahpolitics.news) due to historical details “that were not adequately supported.” Ivory has extensive ties to Barton and his network. For the second year running, Ivory is partnering with [Patriot Academy](https://www.patriotacademy.com/coach/find-a-class?ref=utahpolitics.news)—run by Barton ally and former Texas legislator Rick Green—to teach “Biblical Citizenship” in a legislative meeting room at the Utah State Capitol on Monday nights during the session. The classes [draw heavily on Barton’s writing](https://www.splcenter.org/resources/extremist-files/david-barton/?ref=utahpolitics.news#patriot-academy-and-christian-supremacy) and argue the U.S. and the Constitution will falter without biblical values. Ivory is [listed as a “Constitutional Coach”](https://www.patriotacademy.com/our-team/?ref=utahpolitics.news) on Patriot Academy’s site and appeared on [Barton and Green’s WallBuilders podcast](https://wallbuilders.show/2077254/episodes/17316655-reclaiming-america-how-federal-land-control-threatens-state-sovereignty-with-rep-ken-ivory?ref=utahpolitics.news) last year. In 2024, Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz [was a featured speaker](https://removepaywalls.com/https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2024/02/13/utah-house-speaker-spoke-christian/?ref=utahpolitics.news) at an event sponsored by Patriot Academy and headlined by Green. HB312 directs the Utah State Board of Education to work with the [Civic Thought and Leadership Initiative](https://www.uvu.edu/ccs/civic%5Fthought%5Fleadership/?ref=utahpolitics.news) within Utah Valley University’s Center for Constitutional Studies to write civics standards that require “reading and analyzing the text” of each document, “identifying the principles contained” in them, and “applying the principles of the foundational documents to current events and civic participation.” In practice, that means more class time dissecting original texts—and applying them to modern politics. The bill explicitly lists George Washington’s Farewell Address as one of the mandatory “foundational documents” for students to study. Barton [routinely cites that address](https://wallbuilders.com/wp-content/uploads/Lesson-4-American-Founding-and-Federal-Era-1785-early-1800s-updated.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news), especially the line that “religion and morality are indispensable supports” of “political prosperity.” The House Education Committee voted to hold the bill last week after determining it needed more work. After that decision, Ivory took to Facebook to voice his displeasure. “Still can’t believe the House Education Committee voted last night to hold this bill that simply directs that we teach civics in all K-12 grades in an age-appropriate manner…even despite David Barton joining me in the presentation of the bill,” Ivory wrote. On Friday, Ivory was removed as sponsor of the bill in favor of Rep. Tiara Auxier, R-Morgan. Whether Auxier revives HB312 before the end of the 2026 session is an open question; for now it remains stalled in committee. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Utah taxpayers stuck with $13K tab after state underbills lawmakers for health insurance URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-taxpayers-stuck-with-13k-tab-after-state-underbills-lawmakers-for-health-insurance/ Last updated: 2026-02-09T14:54:36.000Z Utah taxpayers are picking up an unexpected tab for lawmakers’ health insurance. A payroll error left 80 of the state’s 104 part‑time legislators underpaying their premiums, and the state says it will cover the shortfall instead of seeking repayment. In a Friday notice to lawmakers, obtained by Utah Political Watch, the Utah Division of Finance said the most recent paycheck deductions for health insurance were mistakenly based on last year’s rates. The mix‑up produced a $13,300 under‑deduction affecting 80 legislators—about $166 per lawmaker—and the state will eat the cost. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****6 days** \- Signature deadline for ballot initiative seeking to repeal Prop. 4 (2/15/2026) ****25 days** \- The final day of the 2026 Utah Legislature (3/6/2026) ****28 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****36 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****61 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****75 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****134 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****267 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****1,002 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) “As you know, our team is currently ‘all hands on deck’ with the implementation of the new Vantage Payroll project,” the letter said, adding that a temporary processor missed the update for legislative benefit amounts. The agency says deductions are fixed going forward. The past shortfall, however, won’t be clawed back from lawmakers. House and Senate leaders did not respond to requests for comment on why taxpayers—not lawmakers—will cover the underpayment. Lawmakers receive state employee health insurance, with the state covering most of the premium. Compensation currently runs $301 per day during the 45‑day session, plus a $13,545 lump sum before January. They also draw the daily rate for official meetings and trainings. Last month, the Legislative Compensation Commission [recommended a 5% cost‑of‑living bump](https://utahpolitics.news/utahs-part-time-legislature-is-set-for-a-pay-bump-next-year-unless-they-vote-it-down/) to $318 per day. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Prop. 4 repeal qualifies in third Senate district - but still miles from the ballot URL: https://utahpolitics.news/prop-4-qualifies-in-third-senate-district-but-still-miles-from-the-ballot/ Last updated: 2026-02-06T20:57:31.000Z Organizers pushing a repeal of Utah’s voter-approved anti‑gerrymandering law, Proposition 4, just had one of their best days—adding more than 3,400 signatures and clearing the bar in a third Senate district. But with just nine days left until the Feb. 15 submission deadline, they’d have to double that pace to make the ballot. New totals released Friday put the campaign at 76,079 signatures—54% of the 140,748 needed statewide. That leaves 64,669 to go, or about 7,186 per day through Feb. 15. And the statewide number is only half the test. The initiative also needs signatures from 8% of active voters in 26 of Utah’s 29 Senate districts. So far, only three districts have crossed that threshold. Even if they keep this week’s pace and hit the statewide total, projections suggest they’d end up with roughly 11 qualifying districts—still 15 short. They’re above 50% of the target in 12 other districts, but “more than halfway” doesn’t count toward qualifying for the ballot. To make matters worse, District 5’s tally fell after a spate of voters pulled their names—marking the second time this cycle a district has reported fewer signatures than the day before. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Utah lawmakers eye breaking the current 45-day session into three 15-day sessions URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-lawmakers-eye-breaking-the-current-45-day-session-into-three-15-day-sessions/ Last updated: 2026-02-06T19:48:04.000Z Utah’s annual lawmaking sprint lasts 45 days—one of the [shortest in the nation](https://www.ncsl.org/resources/details/legislative-session-length?ref=utahpolitics.news). A new proposed constitutional amendment would swap that single session for three shorter sessions spread across the year. [HJR22](https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HJR022.html?ref=utahpolitics.news), from Rep. Ryan Wilcox, R‑Ogden, would amend the Utah Constitution to change the legislative calendar. Instead of one January–March session, lawmakers would meet three times: a 15‑day “budget session” in February and two 15‑day “policy sessions” in May and September. Policy bills could still be taken up during the budget session, but only with a two‑thirds vote in each chamber. Right now, the 45 days include weekends, so lawmakers are at the Capitol for roughly 33 working days. Under HJR22, weekends and holidays wouldn’t count, making each session three workweeks. Special sessions called by the governor would still last up to 30 days. Lawmaker‑called special sessions would remain capped at 10 days, and spending in those sessions would remain limited to 1% of the prior year’s total appropriations. The governor’s annual State of the State would move to the February budget session. Once a decade, redistricting would also land in that budget session following the census. Because it’s a constitutional amendment, the change needs two‑thirds support in both the House and Senate before going to voters on the 2026 ballot. Utah switched to a single 45‑day annual general session after voters approved a 1984 constitutional amendment ([Proposition 2](https://ballotpedia.org/Utah%5FProposition%5F2,%5FAdjust%5Fthe%5FLengths%5Fand%5FRules%5Fof%5FLegislative%5FSessions%5FAmendment%5F%281984%29?ref=utahpolitics.news)). Before then, lawmakers met for a 20‑day budget session in even years and a 60‑day general session in odd years. The shift was driven in part by legislators increasingly using the even‑year budget session [to run substantive policy bills](https://adambrown.info/p/research/utah%5Fconstitution?ref=utahpolitics.news) rather than stick to the budget. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Utah Senate blocks a pair of bills inspired by far-right conspiracies URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-senate-blocks-a-pair-of-bills-inspired-by-far-right-conspiracies/ Last updated: 2026-02-06T15:00:06.000Z Two far-right–inspired bills fizzled in the Utah Senate on Thursday—one killed in committee, the other failing on the floor—after lawmakers balked at giving conspiracy theories a place in the code. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****9 days** \- Signature deadline for ballot initiative seeking to repeal Prop. 4 (2/15/2026) ****28 days** \- The final day of the 2026 Utah Legislature (3/6/2026) ****31 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****39 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****64 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****78 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****137 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****270 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****1,005 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Why Prop. 4 repeal organizers almost certainly aren't holding back signatures—and why that strategy would guarantee failure URL: https://utahpolitics.news/why-prop-4-repeal-organizers-almost-certainly-arent-holding-back-signatures-and-why-that-strategy-would-guarantee-failure/ Last updated: 2026-02-05T22:52:13.000Z Good news/bad news for the Prop. 4 repeal campaign: verified signatures are ticking up, but the clock is getting meaner. Utahns for Representative Government, which is made up of top Utah GOP leaders, has been collecting signatures since November to put a repeal of Prop. 4, Utah’s anti-gerrymandering law approved by voters in 2018, on November’s ballot. They need to collect 140,748 signatures statewide by Feb. 15\. On top of that, they also must get signatures from 8% of active voters in 26 of Utah’s 29 state Senate districts. The good news: the campaign added 2,269 signatures. Over the last two days, they’re averaging 2,388—near their peak pace. The bad news: with just 10 days left to collect, they’re at 51.6% of the statewide requirement. The daily requirement has jumped to 6,800+—nearly triple their recent pace. It’s not just statewide totals. They need to hit district thresholds in 26 of 29 Senate districts. So far they’ve cleared only two. Even if they squeak by statewide, they’d qualify in just 10 districts—16 short of the ballot. There’s a theory that organizers are sitting on thousands of signatures to dump at the deadline. That doesn’t pencil out when they’re this far off pace. - Assuming 25–30% of signatures get tossed as invalid, they still need to submit 91,000–97,000 more to hit the statewide goal. - Submitting sooner gives them a feedback loop: spot high rejection rates and plug holes where they’re falling behind. - Nineteen districts are on track to fail. Verification drives targeting; hoarding signatures cuts off that intel. - Clerks get three weeks post-deadline to verify. Dumping at the end just backloads risk—on the campaign. If organizers do have a secret stash, now’s the time to crack it open—or risk watching Prop 4 live to fight another cycle. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Davis County GOP rages at signature gathering candidates - but even Trevor Lee is doing it URL: https://utahpolitics.news/davis-county-gop-rages-at-signature-gathering-candidates-but-even-trevor-lee-is-doing-it/ Last updated: 2026-02-05T14:57:43.000Z ****This one's on the house.** Want more accountability journalism that doesn't answer to anyone but readers? Subscribe to Utah Political Watch. The Davis County Republican Party is hopping mad that so many 2026 hopefuls are using the signature route to the ballot instead of pledging fealty to convention delegates. Forty-one Republicans have filed for 19 offices. Only 13 are going convention-only; the rest are gathering signatures to make the primary ballot. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****10 days** \- Signature deadline for ballot initiative seeking to repeal Prop. 4 (2/15/2026) ****29 days** \- The final day of the 2026 Utah Legislature (3/6/2026) ****32 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****40 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****65 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****79 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****138 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****271 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****1,006 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) On Wednesday, party leaders [blasted out an email](https://mailchi.mp/e9930cf6dd24/update-on-davis-county-republican-party-rules?ref=utahpolitics.news) insisting that, under DCRP bylaws, the convention is the only “real” path to the nomination. “We encourage you to say no to those who are seeking to gather signatures to get on the primary ballot, and instead have a real voice by attending your neighborhood caucus on March 17 at 7:00 p.m.,” the email reads. “Remember, those seeking to gather signatures to place candidates on the primary ballot do not represent the Republican Party.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-05-at-7.40.12---AM.png) There’s just one problem for the DCRP: state law doesn’t care about county bylaws. The Utah GOP chose to be a [“Qualified Political Party,”](https://ballotpedia.org/Ballot%5Faccess%5Frequirements%5Ffor%5Fpolitical%5Fparties%5Fin%5FUtah?ref=utahpolitics.news) which means if it uses conventions, it must also allow candidates to collect signatures to reach the primary ballot. In 2012, Sen. Bob Bennett’s re-election bid was derailed when the GOP convention voted to send Tim Bridgewater and Mike Lee to a primary, ending Bennett’s career. Lawmakers passed SB54 in 2014, creating a signature path so candidates could still make the primary even if delegates bounced them at convention. It was a compromise with organizers of a proposed direct-primary initiative that polling suggested would pass if it made the ballot. The signature path threw conventions a lifeline—and party loyalists have been trying to cut it ever since. Sources tell Utah Political Watch that one particular irritation for DCRP leaders is Rep. Ray Ward, who is skipping convention altogether and only collecting signatures. The move is mostly symbolic; Ward is unopposed for re-election. Most convention-only candidates in Davis County are chasing county-level seats. Only four legislative candidates are skipping signatures: - Jennifer Garner, one of three GOP challengers to Senate President Stuart Adams in SD 7. - Jill Koford, the only Republican in the SD 5 race to replace Sen. Ann Millner. - Dava Ann Neal, challenging House Speaker Mike Schultz in HD 12. - John Taylor, one of two Republicans running to replace Rep. Karianne Lisonbee in HD 14. Even Rep. Trevor Lee—one of the legislature’s most anti-SB54 Republicans—filed to collect signatures this cycle. As a convention-only candidate in 2022, he ended former Rep. Steve Handy’s career by winning the Davis County GOP delegate vote and knocking Handy out. Lee’s mother, Susan, is running for the Davis County Commission this year. She isn’t collecting signatures. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### After 78 days, Utah Prop. 4 repeal campaign finally reaches halfway URL: https://utahpolitics.news/after-78-days-utah-prop-4-repeal-campaign-finally-reaches-halfway/ Last updated: 2026-02-04T20:42:17.000Z After 78 days of collecting signatures, the campaign to repeal Utah’s anti-gerrymandering law, Proposition 4, finally limped to the halfway mark—just 11 days before the deadline. Also on Wednesday, [Better Boundaries](https://betterboundaries.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news), the group that was initially behind Prop. 4 when voters approved it in 2018, announced it launched a campaign urging people who have signed the petition to remove their names, following reports of voters being misled by signature gatherers. The group sent thousands of mailers to voters who signed the petition with information about what the repeal would do and how to remove their names. “We at Better Boundaries believe voters deserve transparency and honesty in the democratic process,” said Elizabeth Rasmussen, executive director of Better Boundaries, in a press release announcing the signature rescission campaign. According to updated signature totals, organizers added 2,507 new verified signatures on Feb. 4, their second-best day since they began collecting signatures in November. Total verified signatures sit at 70,401, half of the statewide requirement of 140,748\. They still need 70,347 more, with the deadline for collecting and submitting petitions on Feb. 15\. That’s an average of 6,395 per day between now and the deadline. The campaign is still on track to fall far short of reaching the geographic requirement for inclusion on November’s ballot. Organizers must secure signatures from 8% of voters in 26 of Utah’s 29 Senate districts. So far, they’ve only hit the goal in two of them. Even if they reach the statewide goal, they only qualify in 11 districts, still 15 short of what they need. Republican groups and conservative organizations like Turning Point USA are conducting events across the state in a late surge to secure enough signatures before the Feb. 15 deadline. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Vote-by-mail without the mail: New bill forces in-person ballot drop-offs with ID URL: https://utahpolitics.news/vote-by-mail-without-the-mail-new-bill-forces-in-person-ballot-drop-offs-with-id/ Last updated: 2026-02-04T18:49:27.000Z The Republican majority in the Utah Legislature is reviving a plan to kill the state’s universal vote‑by‑mail program. Ballots would still arrive in the mail, but most voters would be forced to return them in person and show valid ID. Rep. Jefferson Burton, R-Salem, introduced [HB479](https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0479.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) on Wednesday morning, requiring counties to mail every voter a ballot while ending mail return for most voters. Instead, voters would have to take their ballot to a polling place or a staffed drop box and show valid ID to have it accepted. The proposal [is a retread](https://utahpolitics.news/did-utah-election-integrity-champion-fail-to-report-voter-fraud-confession/) of an idea [Burton proposed last year](https://utahpolitics.news/election-bills-on-tap/) in HB300\. That was stripped out last year after public pushback; HB479 brings it back with stricter ID rules. The new version tightens voter-ID standards. Photo IDs are prioritized, and become the default. Non‑photo tribal IDs remain a fallback option. Using documents for “proof of residency,” like utility bills or paychecks, is allowed as a fallback method, but that option sunsets in 2029. Under HB479, returning a ballot by mail flips from the norm to the exception. Voters who still want to mail their ballot would have to apply in person at the county clerk’s office, show ID, and—if approved—renew that permission after roughly two years. Military voters, voters living overseas, and some disabled or hospitalized voters are exempted and can continue to mail ballots under looser rules. HB479 also sets a floor for drop boxes based on the number of active voters. - Fewer than 10,000 active voters: at least one box. - 10,000 or more: at least two, plus one more for each additional 10,000 active voters. Each drop box must be staffed by at least two poll workers from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on each of the five business days before—and on—Election Day. Voters can’t place their own envelopes in the box; poll workers do it after checking the voter’s name against the official register and verifying ID. Every voter has to show up in person. No more dropping off ballots for your spouse or anyone else. HB479 also introduces changes to campaign financial disclosures, requiring that the Lt. Governor’s office redact the address and phone number of the candidate or responsible party before they are posted on the state’s disclosure website. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### New Utah bill would turn Medicaid and SNAP offices into ICE tip lines URL: https://utahpolitics.news/new-utahbill-would-turn-medicaid-and-snap-offices-into-ice-tip-lines/ Last updated: 2026-02-04T15:09:22.000Z ****Paywall's off for this one.** Like what you're reading? Subscribe and support journalism that's actually independent—no corporate owners, no political agendas. A newly introduced bill in Utah’s legislature would make Medicaid and SNAP harder to get and order state officials to flag noncitizen applicants to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or other federal authorities. Sponsored by Rep. Logan Monson, R‑Blanding, [HB471](https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0471.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) goes beyond federal guidance on immigration status and eligibility. It narrows who can receive Medicaid compared to federal rules and treats mixed‑status households more strictly than federal practice. Applicants must attest that they are U.S. citizens or otherwise “qualified,” and agencies must verify that status before anyone sees a dollar in benefits. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****11 days** \- Signature deadline for ballot initiative seeking to repeal Prop. 4 (2/15/2026) ****30 days** \- The final day of the 2026 Utah Legislature (3/6/2026) ****33 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****41 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****66 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****80 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****139 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****272 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****1,007 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) On top of that, most Utah Medicaid recipients must meet federal work requirements, document the prior three months, and keep proving compliance. The state would verify income, Utah residency, and citizenship/immigration status before enrollment and at set intervals, with ongoing checks for changes in eligibility—including monthly cross‑checks against death records. HB471 also changes how officials count money in mixed‑status households: if some members are ineligible for Medicaid because of immigration status, the state would count those ineligible members’ income when deciding if an eligible person in the same home qualifies. In practice, that makes it easier to push an otherwise eligible applicant over the income limit. SNAP (food stamps) gets a parallel squeeze. The bill would bar the state from seeking federal waivers that soften work requirements for able‑bodied adults without dependents unless both the Legislature and governor sign off. It also blocks the Department of Workforce Services from using its discretionary exemptions. Able‑bodied adults with no children and zero net income would face eligibility reviews every three to four months. As with Medicaid, income and resources from ineligible noncitizens in a household would count toward SNAP eligibility, which would likely reduce enrollment among eligible citizens in mixed-status families. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Utah Prop. 4 repeal: Big statewide gap, bigger district problem URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-prop-4-repeal-big-statewide-gap-bigger-district-problem/ Last updated: 2026-02-03T22:45:14.000Z With a dozen days left until the Feb. 15 deadline, the push to repeal Utah’s anti-gerrymandering law, Prop. 4, is running out of road. Prop. 4, passed by voters in 2018, created an independent redistricting commission and guardrails on partisan mapmaking. Organizers added just 1,917 verified signatures on Tuesday. They’re still under halfway to the statewide target of 140,748, with 72,854 left—an average of 6,071 per day to make the cut. The statewide total is only half the test. To qualify, the campaign also needs signatures from 8% of registered voters in 26 of 29 state Senate districts. So far, they’ve cleared the bar in just two districts. The modest bright spot: they’re above 50% of the district threshold in 10 more—[six more than yesterday’s count](https://utahpolitics.news/utahs-prop-4-repeal-effort-just-had-its-worst-day-ever/). Even if they somehow hold the daily pace to hit the statewide number, that trajectory would only qualify roughly 12 districts—14 short of the 26 required. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Utah bill would ban 'West Bank' from state docs, swap in 'Judea' and 'Samaria' URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-bill-would-ban-west-bank-from-state-docs-swap-in-judea-and-samaria/ Last updated: 2026-02-03T14:42:47.000Z ****Paywall? Not today.** This story's for everyone. But if you want more of this, subscribe and support independent journalism that answers to readers, not political agendas. A Utah bill would make it state policy to ban “West Bank” in government materials and swap in the biblical terms “Judea” and “Samaria” for the territory east of Israel and west of the Jordan River. HB435, from Rep. Karianne Lisonbee, R‑Clearfield, requires Utah to refer to land “restored to Israel from Jordan during the 1967 Six‑Day War” as Judea (south of Jerusalem) and Samaria (north of Jerusalem). It bars any state agency from using “West Bank” or spending state funds to produce materials that use it. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****12 days** \- Signature deadline for ballot initiative seeking to repeal Prop. 4 (2/15/2026) ****31 days** \- The final day of the 2026 Utah Legislature (3/6/2026) ****34 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****42 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****67 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****81 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****140 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****273 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****1,008 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) Lisonbee’s bill is mostly symbolic, but it plants Utah firmly on one side of a long‑running dispute over territory most foreign governments and many NGOs [call occupied Palestinian territory](https://www.un.org/unispal/document/auto-insert-203742/?ref=utahpolitics.news). “Judea and Samaria” is a favored by the Israeli right and by opponents of a two‑state solution who argue for de facto annexation. It’s not an original move. The bill tracks [model legislation](https://alec.org/model-policy/recognizing-judea-and-samaria-act/?ref=utahpolitics.news) from ALEC; Arkansas passed a version in 2025, and copycat bills are pending in Oklahoma and [Florida](https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-884263?ref=utahpolitics.news). Similar language has even surfaced [in Congress](https://tenney.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-tenney-introduces-legislation-recognize-rightful-name-judea-and?ref=utahpolitics.news). Supporters say they’re correcting a “historical inaccuracy” and recognizing what they see as Israel’s “rightful claim” to the land [here](https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/israel-middle-east/articles/israeli-law-west-bank-judea-samaria?ref=utahpolitics.news) and [here](https://israelinstitute.nz/2025/10/judea-and-samaria-why-names-matter-in-the-struggle-over-history-law-and-morality/?ref=utahpolitics.news). Critics call it a state‑sanctioned attempt to erase Palestinian identity [and terminology](https://www.cair.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/022-Updating%5FLegislative-Policy-Memo%5F2025-1.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news). ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Maloy and Owens sue in federal court to block Utah's new congressional map URL: https://utahpolitics.news/maloy-and-owens-sue-in-federal-court-to-block-utahs-new-congressional-map/ Last updated: 2026-02-03T17:51:20.000Z Utah GOP Reps. Celeste Maloy and Burgess Owens, joined by a group of county commissioners and a sheriff, just threw another wrench into the saga over Utah’s congressional map. On Monday, they filed suit in federal court, asking a judge to toss the lines approved by a Utah judge and either hand the pen back to the Legislature or revive the 2021 map. In August, state District Judge Dianna Gibson ruled lawmakers unconstitutionally repealed Prop 4—the 2018 voter-approved anti-gerrymandering law—and tossed the 2021 map. She invited lawmakers and the plaintiffs in that case [to submit replacements](https://utahpolitics.news/gerrymandering-ruling-backs-utah-lawmakers-into-a-corner/). The Legislature [answered with “Option C.”](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-judge-will-choose-from-three-possible-congressional-maps/) Gibson called it an “extreme partisan outlier” that flunked Prop 4’s criteria and [instead adopted “Map 1,”](https://utahpolitics.news/who-wants-a-donut-judge-throws-out-legislatures-map-proposal/) a plaintiff-submitted plan that happens to create a Democratic-leaning district centered in Salt Lake County. The new federal lawsuit contends that Gibson overstepped both the U.S. and Utah Constitutions by imposing the map, arguing that a judge can block an unlawful map, but cannot draw or impose a new one for congressional elections because that power belongs to the state legislature or Congress. The plaintiffs argue that since the map was drawn by the plaintiffs in the lawsuit and not the legislature, voters lost their chance to influence the process through legislative hearings. They also say that the map chosen by Gibson “crams” seventeen counties and part of Utah County into one single congressional district. “To achieve their federal legislative needs, Plaintiffs who reside in these counties now must compete for attention with triple the number of counties than any other district contains,” the suit contends. Plaintiffs also say that the map “places many of the fastest growing cities in Utah—including Eagle Mountain, Lehi, Santaquin, and Saratoga Springs—in the same congressional district.” “By the time the next census is taken and a new map is created in 2030, this district will likely be heavily lopsided compared to other districts,” the suit says. “And because of the influx of new residents, the people residing in that district will likely have their votes diluted.” Maloy and Owens say that the “rules of the game” for the 2026 congressional elections have been changed at the last minute by a trial court, creating a campaign scramble. They say they prepped for the 2021 map, then “Option C,” and now have to retool yet again—bleeding time and money without knowing where to file or where to show up. “For example, each Representative will need to spend substantial time and money campaigning in new areas that have not previously been part of their districts,” the suit says. “At this time, the Representatives do not know where to file for office or begin campaigning. Nor do they know where to budget their time. For Representative Maloy, if the current, unconstitutional Map 1 holds, she will be either representing or campaigning in most of Utah’s 29 counties until the election is held in November, should she file to run where she lives.” In December, Utah lawmakers pushed back the filing date for congressional candidates to March to give them time to appeal Gibson’s decision to the Utah Supreme Court. Several of the Democratic candidates who are already campaigning for the nomination in the new 1st District ripped the decision by Owens and Maloy to sue. "This lawsuit is about defending a system where powerful insiders get to lock in results before a single ballot is cast. Utahns spoke clearly when they supported independent standards to prevent partisan gerrymandering. The Utah Constitution protects the standards adopted by voters and the courts are enforcing the law voters passed. This lawsuit is just their latest attempt to stop the will of the people who have clearly said they want fair voting maps and are sick of politicians upending this right to protect their own power," former Democratic Rep. Ben McAdams said in a statement. State Sen. Kathleen Riebe said it's disappointing that Owens and Maloy can't accept the will of the people. "Packing the court and their referendum are efforts to circumnavigate a fair and legal process," Riebe said. "And these attacks against our institutions further erodes our trust in our government and that’s a high price to pay for a victory." State Sen. Nate Blouin said the lawsuit was filed out of fear that the new map could send a Democrat to Congress. "Utah Republicans want to federalize their attempts to re-gerrymander our state so they can put the new, fair districts in front of Trump’s Supreme Court," Blouin said. "They will fail because they do not have the public on their side.” The suit also says many local officials have built working relationships with specific members of Congress, and Map 1 disrupts those. For example, Utah County Commissioner Amelia Powers Gardner, who is a plaintiff in the suit, is working on a federal land swap for a pedestrian bridge near Bridal Veil Falls, and Map 1 moves her into a new district, which would force the process to start over. Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, Utah’s chief elections officer, has already said she will use Map 1 implemented by Judge Gibson. The suit asks the court to block Henderson from using that map and to give map drawing authority back to the Legislature. If lawmakers do not draw a new map, they’re asking the court to force the state to use the congressional map approved in 2021\. However, that could be difficult since that map has already been ruled unconstitutional because it was the result of the unconstitutional repeal of Prop. 4 by lawmakers. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Utah's Prop. 4 repeal effort just had its worst day yet URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utahs-prop-4-repeal-effort-just-had-its-worst-day-ever/ Last updated: 2026-02-02T22:32:09.000Z [Utahns for Representative Government](https://www.ufrg.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news), the group hoping to put a repeal of Utah’s anti-gerrymandering law (Prop. 4) on the November ballot, just hit a wall Monday: only 576 signatures were added Monday. With 13 days left to collect and submit petitions, they now need thousands a day to have any shot at November’s ballot. They’re still under halfway to the statewide goal of 140,748 signatures—at 46.88%. On top of that, the repeal must hit 8% of registered voters in 26 of 29 state Senate districts. So far they’ve cleared that bar in just two districts, are above 50% in four others, and sit under 30% in eight. To reach 140,748, they still need 74,771 signatures by the Feb. 15 submission deadline—an average of about 5,750 per day, more than double their best day ever. County clerks have until March 7 to verify petitions, but that grace period doesn’t extend the Feb. 15 cut‑off to turn them in. The recent pace isn’t remotely close to what’s required: - Monday’s 576 is barely a tenth of the daily pace they need. - They need roughly 4× the last three‑day average of 1,452. - They must double their best five‑day average of 2,854. They’ll have some wiggle room since county clerks have until March 7 to finish verifying signatures, but not much. Even if they somehow clear the statewide total, it’s likely they’ll still fail to make the ballot because of district requirements. At the current statewide pace, they’d only hit the mark in about 11 Senate districts—15 short of what’s required. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Utah bill easing school vaccine exemptions stalls on tie vote URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-bill-easing-school-vaccine-exemptions-stalls-on-tie-vote/ Last updated: 2026-02-02T15:18:52.000Z [HB152](https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0152.html?ref=utahpolitics.news), Rep. Trevor Lee’s (R) push to loosen [Utah public-school vaccine requirements](https://immunize.utah.gov/early-childhood-and-school-requirements/?ref=utahpolitics.news), hit a wall Friday: a 6–6 tie in the House Health and Human Services Committee. A tie means the bill fails for now, though it can be reconsidered during the remaining 32 days of the 2026 session—all while Utah is battling a significant measles outbreak. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****13 days** \- Signature deadline for ballot initiative seeking to repeal Prop. 4 (2/15/2026) ****32 days** \- The final day of the 2026 Utah Legislature (3/6/2026) ****35 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****43 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****68 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****82 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****141 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****274 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****1,009 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Prop. 4 repeal faceplants: Four Senate districts lose signatures URL: https://utahpolitics.news/prop-4-repeal-faceplants-four-senate-districts-lose-signatures/ Last updated: 2026-01-30T18:18:54.000Z After its strongest day yet on Thursday, Utah’s Prop. 4 repeal campaign face-planted Friday: new verified signatures fell 63% from the day before. Even worse, the effort actually went backward, losing signatures in four Senate districts as earlier signers had their names removed. According to new totals from the lieutenant governor’s office, organizers added just 1,022 verified signatures—raising the daily pace they must hit to 3,014, a number that tops their best historical performance since they started in December. They’re still under 50% of the 140,748 signatures needed to land the repeal on November’s ballot. There was one bright spot: organizers cleared their second Senate district—SD29 in southwestern Utah. That milestone was overshadowed by net losses in four districts: - SD5 (-2) - SD2 (-6) - SD4 (-21) - SD6 (-24) Even with a second district in the bag, they’re on pace to fall well short of the 26 districts required—likely about 15 districts shy—even if they somehow manage the necessary statewide pace. Deadlines: petitions are due Feb. 15; county clerks get 21 days to verify; final verification is due by March 7. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Former Utah Congressman Jason Chaffetz floated as possible successor to Kristi Noem at DHS URL: https://utahpolitics.news/former-utah-congressman-jason-chaffetz-floated-as-possible-successor-to-kristi-noem-at-dhs/ Last updated: 2026-01-30T15:33:27.000Z ****Paywall? Not today.** If you want more of this, subscribe to support independent journalism that answers to readers, not political agendas. Jason Chaffetz could be back in the mix. The former Utah congressman is reportedly under consideration to replace Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security. [Real Clear Politics reported Thursday](https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2026/01/29/trump%5Fallies%5Fpush%5Fpotential%5Fnoem%5Fsuccessors%5F153774.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) that Chaffetz, former Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin are on shortlists if there is a shake-up in Donald Trump’s cabinet. [Politico also floated](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/12/10/trump-aides-and-allies-float-potential-noem-successors-as-speculation-grows-over-her-tenure-00684001?ref=utahpolitics.news) Chaffetz’s name in December ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****16 days** \- Signature deadline for ballot initiative seeking to repeal Prop. 4 (2/15/2026) ****35 days** \- The final day of the 2026 Utah Legislature (3/6/2026) ****38 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****46 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****71 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****85 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****144 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****277 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****1,012 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) Noem has faced mounting criticism after [two people were killed](https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-minnesota-ice-b0cec9d1c5bae4b62469011775082300?ref=utahpolitics.news) by federal agents in Minnesota, intensifying speculation about her future at DHS. President Trump [said this week](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/01/27/trump-kristi-noem-minnesota-shooting-ice/88379760007/?ref=utahpolitics.news) that he would not ask Noem to resign. Utah Sen. John Curtis and Rep. Blake Moore [broke ranks with the White House](https://www.deseret.com/politics/2026/01/27/blake-moore-break-with-admin-on-ice-shooting/?ref=utahpolitics.news) this week, [calling for an independent investigation](https://www.ksl.com/article/51438630/utah-gop-senator-criticizes-trump-administration-calls-for-investigation-into-minneapolis-shooting?ref=utahpolitics.news) into the shootings. Chaffetz did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Utah Political Watch. Chaffetz is widely seen as gearing up for a 2028 run for Utah Governor. [As first reported by Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/is-jason-chaffetz-eyeing-utahs-governors-mansion-113k-money-move-raises-questions/), he moved the full $113,000 balance from his dormant federal American Victory PAC into a new state-level PAC, Utah Victory, last year. The state PAC raised another $210,000 in 2025, mostly from large donors, per disclosures filed with the Utah Lt. Governor’s office. Chaffetz abruptly resigned from Congress in 2017, just months into his sixth term. The day after his official resignation, he debuted as a Fox News contributor—where he’s become a fixture as a guest and fill-in host for several programs. He has [authored five books](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason%5FChaffetz?ref=utahpolitics.news#:~:text=He%20is%20the%20author%20of%20several%20books%20published%20since%20leaving%20office.), several of them New York Times bestsellers, and hosts the [Jason in the House podcast](https://radio.foxnews.com/podcast/jason-chaffetz-podcast/?ref=utahpolitics.news). Should Chaffetz abandon his gubernatorial, he would join a handful of prominent Utahns who have served in presidential cabinets: - [Ezra Taft Benson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ezra%5FTaft%5FBenson?ref=utahpolitics.news) served as the Secretary of Agriculture from 1953 to 1961 under President Dwight D. Eisenhower before becoming President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. - [Former Gov. Mike Leavitt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike%5FLeavitt?ref=utahpolitics.news) led the EPA from 2003 to 2005 under George W. Bush before serving as Secretary of Health and Human Services in Bush’s second term. - [George W. Romney](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George%5FW.%5FRomney?ref=utahpolitics.news), Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Nixon; though he was best known as Michigan’s governor. - [Terrel Bell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrel%5FBell?ref=utahpolitics.news), Education Secretary in Ronald Reagan’s first term. - [David M. Kennedy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David%5FM.%5FKennedy%5F%28politician%29?ref=utahpolitics.news), Treasury Secretary under Nixon from 1969 to 1971, later served as Ambassador-at-Large on international economic issues and then later served as Ambassador to NATO. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### The Prop. 4 repeal effort gets a bump from Trump, but the math is still brutal URL: https://utahpolitics.news/the-prop-4-repeal-effort-gets-a-bump-from-trump-but-the-math-is-still-brutal/ Last updated: 2026-01-30T18:07:35.000Z President Donald Trump’s endorsement looks to be giving Utah’s Prop. 4 repeal effort a much-needed jolt. The campaign logged its strongest single-day haul on Thursday with 2,729 verified signatures, the third straight day of growth and up more than 9% from the prior day. Senate District 29 is now just 22 signatures away from becoming the second qualified district. Trump endorsed the Republican-led push to put a repeal of the state’s anti-gerrymandering law on November’s ballot, posting on Truth Social on Friday urging Utahns to “sign this initiative ASAP.” Over the last three days, the campaign averaged 2,314 new verified signatures—just 6% shy of the pace needed to reach the statewide requirement of 140,748\. In total, they’re at 64,379 verified signatures, or 45.7% of the statewide goal. To qualify for November, organizers need to not only keep this pace but accelerate it. Despite the uptick, even if they hit 140,748, they still face a geographic hurdle—collecting signatures equal to 8% of voters in 26 of Utah’s 29 Senate districts. At the current pace, they’re projected to fall 17 districts short. Who’s signing the petitions? Mostly Republicans. Using [voter data provided by L2](https://www.l2-data.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news), Utah Political Watch matched more than 85% of petition signers to the statewide voter file. - Two out of every three signers (67%) are registered Republicans. - Just under 20% are unaffiliated. - 7.5% are registered Democrats. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Utah's part-time legislature is set for a pay bump next year, unless they vote it down URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utahs-part-time-legislature-is-set-for-a-pay-bump-next-year-unless-they-vote-it-down/ Last updated: 2026-01-29T16:14:03.000Z ****Paywall? Not today.** This story's for everyone. But if you want more of this, subscribe and support independent journalism that answers to readers, not political agendas. Utah’s 104 part-time lawmakers are in line for a 5% raise. The [Legislative Compensation Commission](https://le.utah.gov/interim/2026/pdf/00000488.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news) told the Executive Appropriations Committee on Tuesday the daily rate should rise from $301 to $316. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****17 days** \- Signature deadline for ballot initiative seeking to repeal Prop. 4 (2/15/2026) ****36 days** \- The final day of the 2026 Utah Legislature (3/6/2026) ****39 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****47 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****72 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****86 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****145 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****278 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****1,013 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) Currently, lawmakers get $301 per day when they’re on the clock—during the 45‑day general session (weekends included), special and veto‑override sessions, interim days, and committee or task force meetings. They can also claim up to 10 days for legislative training. Meetings with constituents, town halls, and other off‑calendar events aren’t compensated. Lawmakers receive a lump-sum payment of $13,545 before the session in January. Leadership gets more: $5,000 for the Senate President and House Speaker; $4,000 for majority and minority leaders; $3,000 for the rest of leadership. Compared with other legislatures, Utah sits 18th for the daily rate paid to lawmakers, but just 39th on an annual basis. The commission pegged the hourly rate at $37.63—fifth among Western states and second‑highest among part‑time “citizen” legislatures, behind only West Virginia. The 5% bump applies to the daily rate only; leadership stipends would not increase. Lawmakers can’t boost the number beyond the commission’s recommendation. Unless they vote to reject it, the raise kicks in Jan. 1, 2027. For the first time, the commission surveyed lawmakers about compensation. Most respondents said pay doesn’t match the hours—especially constituent meetings, travel, and other uncompensated days. Some stressed the job is public service, not a paycheck. A few highlights: - “I put in so much time to different meeting (sic) that the hourly amount I get is less than minimum wage.” - “I don’t quibble with the daily rate, but there are so many non-compensated days that the earnings rate for work is really quite low.” - A decade‑long House‑and‑Senate veteran: “Trying to juggle all that is asked of me with one legislative assistant who I share with 7 other senators… We run a very conservative legislature and in my opinion a little too conservative considering staff support etc.” - “I don’t want taxes going up but it does cost me a lot financially to step away and do this.” Lawmakers can opt into state employee health plans; annual costs range roughly from $10,000 (single) to $27,500 (family). The state also covers healthcare or Medicaid for retired lawmakers—but only those who entered office before 2012\. That cutoff rankled some. “I’m getting older and don’t have medical insurance,” one wrote. “I hate the fact that we used to provide medical insurance coverage for legislators if they served a certain number of years. I came in one year too late and didn’t get that… can we bring it back for a few of us?” Lawmakers are eligible for the state’s retirement program after four years. If they were in office before July 1, 2011, the state contributes $33.20 per month; for those elected after, the state contributes 10% of compensation. One lawmaker said the newer structure discourages longer service. “Retirement benefits that don’t tenure after 10 years has become problematic. This has made for a decrease in average length of tenure. Losing institutional knowledge,” they said. Lawmakers are reimbursed for some meals and travel. They also receive a legislature‑paid mobile phone or an allowance of up to $58 per month for a personal phone and plan. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Prop. 4 repeal update: Momentum up, path to ballot down URL: https://utahpolitics.news/prop-4-repeal-update-momentum-up-path-to-ballot-down/ Last updated: 2026-01-30T18:07:42.000Z Utahns for Representative Government—the group behind the campaign to repeal Utah’s anti-gerrymandering law, Prop. 4—logged its best single-day signature total in a week on Wednesday. It’s still not enough. At the current pace, they’ll miss the statewide signature threshold for November’s ballot, and even a late sprint wouldn’t meet the geographic rules. The campaign added 2,524 verified signatures Wednesday morning—a 52% jump over the prior day—along with modest improvement in a few lagging Senate districts. They remain short of halfway to the statewide mark of 140,748, sitting at 43.78%. To get there, they need to average 2,931 new signatures every working day through March 7, the final verification deadline for county clerks. Even then, they’d hit a wall: the ballot also requires signatures from 8% of voters in 26 of 29 Senate districts. At the current pace, they’d clear just 12—still 14 short. As of now, they’ve qualified in only one district. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### The paranoid style in American politics: Utah edition URL: https://utahpolitics.news/the-paranoid-style-in-american-politics-utah-edition/ Last updated: 2026-01-28T15:08:37.000Z Utah’s GOP-controlled legislature is once again elevating fringe conspiracy fodder into state policy, peddling the paranoid “Great Reset” myth under a “state sovereignty” label. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****18 days** \- Signature deadline for ballot initiative seeking to repeal Prop. 4 (2/15/2026) ****37 days** \- The final day of the 2026 Utah Legislature (3/6/2026) ****40 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****48 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****73 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****87 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****146 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****279 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****1,014 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Utah bill would create a special 'Constitutional Court' to hear challenges to state laws URL: https://utahpolitics.news/new-utah-bill-would-create-a-special-constitutional-court-to-hear-challenges-to-state-laws/ Last updated: 2026-01-27T23:31:40.000Z Utah lawmakers are weighing a new court that would grab every lawsuit arguing a state law is unconstitutional—and keep those fights in one handpicked venue. [HB392](https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0392.html?ref=utahpolitics.news), from Rep. Matt MacPherson, R–West Valley City, would set up a three‑judge “Constitutional Court” with exclusive jurisdiction over civil challenges to the constitutionality of Utah statutes. In practice: if you sue claiming a Utah law violates the state or U.S. Constitution, you go here. A single judge could handle routine proceedings but requires the full court for trials or motions for injunctions. Hours after it dropped Tuesday, the bill is already slated for a [House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee](https://le.utah.gov/committee/committee.jsp?year=2026&com=HSTLAW&mtgid=20211&ref=utahpolitics.news) hearing Wednesday afternoon. Starting Jan. 1, 2027, any pending constitutional challenge to a Utah statute must be transferred to the new court—including cases remanded from the Utah Supreme Court or Court of Appeals. Parties would be barred from hopping to another trial court unless the Constitutional Court truly lacks jurisdiction. The bill also creates a seven‑member Constitutional Court Nominating Commission to screen judges “without any regard to partisan political consideration.” Every commissioner would be appointed by the governor, who then must pick one of the commission’s seven “most qualified” nominees within 30 days. The pick would face confirmation by the Senate Judiciary Committee. On top of that, either the attorney general or the Legislature could yank “significant public importance” civil cases out of district court and ship them to the Constitutional Court. What counts as “significant”? The bill doesn’t say, beyond affecting “a significant number of the citizens of Utah.” ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Tick Tock: Utah Prop. 4 repeal campaign running out of math - and time URL: https://utahpolitics.news/tick-tock-utah-prop-4-repeal-campaign-running-out-of-math-and-time/ Last updated: 2026-01-30T18:07:50.000Z With less than three weeks remaining, the Prop. 4 repeal campaign is facing a mathematical double bind: it must exceed its best historical performance by about 2.1% to reach the required statewide 140,748 signatures. And even at that clip, they still wouldn’t meet Utah’s geographic rule: signatures from 8% of voters in 26 of the state’s 29 Senate districts. Just 1,659 new signatures posted Tuesday morning, well short of the pace needed to reach the statewide minimum requirement. Organizers have been submitting signatures for more than seven weeks and still haven’t passed 50% of the overall requirement, now sitting at 41.99% of the goal. Organizers have until Feb. 15 to collect and submit signatures, but clerks have an additional 21 days to complete the verification process, which could stretch until March 7. The effort would need to net roughly 2,916 verified signatures every working day through March 7 to hit the statewide requirement. Their pace over the last five days is 26.1% below the target. Even if they can match their historical best five-day average, they would still fall 1,729 signatures short. More urgently, the effort is on track to fall well short of the geographic requirements to qualify the repeal for November’s ballot. Utah law requires signatures from 8% of voters in 26 of the state’s 29 Senate districts. So far, they’ve only cleared the bar in one district, while just five more are at 50% or more. Even if they sprint to the statewide total, they’re on track to reach the district threshold in only about 13 of 29—well shy of the 26 required—meaning no spot on the November ballot. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Utah Supreme Court packing bill takes a curious detour URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-supreme-court-packing-bill-takes-a-curious-detour/ Last updated: 2026-01-28T03:31:39.000Z On Monday, the Republican-sponsored bill to [pack the Utah Supreme Court](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/01/22/bill-to-expand-utah-supreme-court-add-district-court-judges/?ref=utahpolitics.news) by expanding it from five justices to seven moved to the House after being passed by the Senate, but then something odd happened. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****19 days** \- Signature deadline for ballot initiative seeking to repeal Prop. 4 (2/15/2026) ****38 days** \- The final day of the 2026 Utah Legislature (3/6/2026) ****41 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****49 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****74 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****88 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****147 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****280 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****1,015 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Utah Prop 4 repeal update: Campaign slips more; Trump bump TBD URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-prop-4-repeal-update-campaign-slips-more-trump-bump-tbd/ Last updated: 2026-01-27T23:31:58.000Z Utah Republicans’ bid to repeal Prop 4—the voter-approved anti-gerrymandering law—slipped again Monday, with new signature totals showing the campaign falling further behind the pace needed to make the November ballot. Just 1,366 new verified signatures were added, bringing the campaign to 40.8% of the 140,748 verified-signature requirement statewide. To hit the mark by March 7, organizers now need 2,873 verified signatures per workday—just above their single-day peak and roughly 28% higher than their most recent three-day average of 2,252\. Even matching their best five-day run would leave them about 533 short. Utah’s ballot rules also require signatures from 8% of voters in at least 26 of 29 state Senate districts. So far, the campaign has cleared that bar in just one. At their best pace, they’d fall 13 districts short of the goal. If they match the pace needed for the statewide goal, they would still be 11 districts short of qualifying. Prop. 4, passed by voters in 2018, set up an independent redistricting commission to curb partisan map rigging. Lawmakers repealed it in 2020\. After a coalition of organizations and individuals sued, a judge ruled that lawmakers overstepped their constitutional authority, reinstating Prop. 4 and throwing out the congressional map approved by the Legislature in 2021. The campaign to throw out Prop. 4 got a boost on Friday when President Donald Trump endorsed the signature-gathering effort with a post on Truth Social. “Utahns deserve Maps drawn by those they elect, not Rogue Judges or Leftwing Activists who never faced the Voters, and, therefore, I encourage all Patriotic Utahns, Republicans, and MAGA Supporters who love their Great State and Country to sign this initiative, ASAP. You must sign by February 15th! This is a very ‘Big Deal’,” Trump wrote. The impact from Trump’s post likely won’t show up until later this week. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### New Utah bill padlocks party-switch vacancies after Forward Party flip URL: https://utahpolitics.news/new-utah-bill-padlocks-party-switch-vacancies-after-forward-party-flip/ Last updated: 2026-01-30T18:07:58.000Z Utah’s vacancy rules are getting a preemptive tightening after the Forward Party snagged a legislative seat via a late-session party switch. Sen. Daniel Thatcher flipped from Republican to Forward on the final day of the 2025 session, then announced he was [resigning in October](https://utahpolitics.news/sen-daniel-thatcher-announces-resignation-2-400-member-utah-forward-party-to-pick-his-replacement/). Under current law, that gave the Forward Party the right to name his replacement, despite Thatcher originally winning as a Republican. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****19 days** \- Signature deadline for ballot initiative seeking to repeal Prop. 4 (2/14/2026) ****39 days** \- The final day of the 2026 Utah Legislature (3/6/2026) ****42 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****50 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****75 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****89 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****148 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****281 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****1,016 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Utah Prop. 4 repeal drive slows as signature pace drops 24% URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-prop-4-repeal-drive-slows-as-signature-pace-drops-24/ Last updated: 2026-01-27T23:31:52.000Z After two brisk days, the push to repeal Utah’s Prop. 4—the voter‑approved anti‑gerrymandering law—slowed significantly on Friday. New verified signatures fell nearly 24% from the prior day, widening the gap between the campaign’s current pace and what it needs to make the November ballot. After adding more than 3,000 signatures Thursday, organizers logged 2,334 on Friday—a 23.6% drop. The initiative now sits at 56,071 verified signatures, just under 40% of the 140,748 needed statewide to qualify for November. Over the last three days, the campaign averaged 2,581 verified signatures per day—nearly 9% below the pace required to hit 140,748. Statewide totals aren’t enough. The measure must also meet clear signature requirements in 26 of Utah’s 29 Senate districts. At the current overall pace, they’d miss that by 11 districts; at the current three‑day clip, only six districts would make the cut. Organizers have until Feb. 14 to submit signatures. Clerks have 21 days to verify signatures after petitions are received. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Term limits or Pandora's box? Utah's Article V push sparks conservative backlash URL: https://utahpolitics.news/term-limits-or-pandoras-box-utahs-article-v-push-sparks-conservative-backlash/ Last updated: 2026-01-27T23:32:13.000Z Sen. Jerry Stevenson, R-Layton, is pushing to get Utah behind an Article V “convention of states” for congressional term limits. His proposal is running straight into criticism from one of the state’s most prominent conservative organizations, which calls the move “dangerous.” ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****22 days** \- Signature deadline for ballot initiative seeking to repeal Prop. 4 (2/14/2026) ****42 days** \- The final day of the 2026 Utah Legislature (3/6/2026) ****45 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****53 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****78 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****92 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****151 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****284 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****1,019 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) Here’s the short version of Article V: Congress usually proposes amendments with two‑thirds votes in both chambers, then three‑fourths of the states ratify. The never‑used backup lets two‑thirds of state legislatures (34) force Congress to call a convention to propose amendments; anything that comes out still needs ratification by 38 states. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Prop. 4 repeal update: Ballot initiative qualifies in first Senate district; 25 more needed for ballot access URL: https://utahpolitics.news/prop-4-repeal-update-ballot-initiative-qualifies-in-first-senate-district-25-more-needed-for-ballot-access/ Last updated: 2026-01-27T23:32:20.000Z The Prop. 4 repeal campaign just notched its first qualified Senate district, a milestone that still leaves a steep climb: 25 more districts must hit the 8% threshold to make the November ballot. New totals show the repeal campaign added 3,055 verified signatures, bringing the statewide tally to 53,737, which is 38.18% of the statewide goal of 140,748 verified signatures. There are two clocks running: Feb. 14 is the deadline for organizers to submit signatures; clerks have 21 days to verify signatures, which means March 7 is the final day for that process. The campaign needs to average roughly 2,807 verified signatures per day to reach the goal. The current two-day average is 2,705 verified signatures per day—close, but still shy of the required pace. On the district map, SD27 has crossed the 8% mark, but organizers need another 25 districts or the initiative will fail to qualify for November's ballot, even if they hit the statewide signature goal. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Pride flag fight, Part II: HB302 hands Utah lawmakers a veto on city flags URL: https://utahpolitics.news/pride-flag-fight-part-ii-hb302-hands-utah-lawmakers-a-veto-on-city-flags/ Last updated: 2026-01-26T15:24:03.000Z ****Paywall? Not today.** This story's unlocked for everyone. If you want more of this, subscribe and support independent journalism that doesn't answer to corporations or political agendas. The “local control” crowd in the Utah Legislature loves home rule—right up until cities do something they don’t like. Now lawmakers are back in the Pride flag fight with a bill that effectively hands the legislature veto power over city flags, a direct shot at Salt Lake City. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****23 days** \- Signature deadline for ballot initiative seeking to repeal Prop. 4 (2/14/2026) ****43 days** \- The final day of the 2026 Utah Legislature (3/6/2026) ****46 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****54 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****79 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****93 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****152 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****285 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****1,020 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) Rep. Matt MacPherson, R-West Valley City, filed [HB302](https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0302.html?ref=utahpolitics.news), tightening rules on how cities and counties adopt flags. It limits each local government to one “official” flag and allows “ceremonial” or purpose-specific flags—but only in narrow, preapproved situations. Every new official or ceremonial flag would be subject to review by the Legislature’s Rules Review and General Oversight Committee. A flag isn’t “official” until that committee signs off, giving lawmakers a de facto veto over what flies at city halls and public buildings. The bill is a clear response to Salt Lake City’s workaround of last year’s HB77, which restricted which flags could fly in public classrooms and on government property: U.S. flag, Utah state flag, official local government flags, federally recognized tribal flags, and officially licensed college or university flags. In practice, Rep. Trevor Lee’s bill banned Pride flags on public property. The bill is clearly retaliation for Salt Lake City exploiting a loophole in [last year’s HB77](https://utahpolitics.news/proposed-bill-says-stars-and-stripes-yes-rainbow-stripes-no/), which listed which flags can be displayed in public classrooms and at government buildings. The list included the United States flag, the Utah state flag, official flags of Utah local governments, flags of federally recognized Native American tribes, and officially licensed college or university flags. In practice, Layton Republican Rep. Trevor Lee’s bill banned Pride flags on public property. Lee [said the quiet part out loud](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-gop-rep-threatens-blanket-ban-after-pride-flag-crackdown/): “I think we have the votes in the Senate to make sure during Pride Month in Salt Lake City that you’re not able to fly Pride flags all over the place, which is something people are sick and tired of.” [Lee’s bill reportedly](https://utahpolitics.news/report-pride-flag-ban-threatens-utahs-sundance-film-festival-future/) helped push the Sundance Film Festival to leave its longtime Utah home. The festival moves to Colorado next year. After HB77 passed, [Salt Lake City found a workaround](https://apnews.com/article/boise-salt-lake-city-pride-flags-law-13c8f9f7269d1b33daaa7ef041c6c497?ref=utahpolitics.news): it added the city’s sego lily to Pride, transgender awareness, and Juneteenth flags and adopted them as “official.” Gov. Spencer Cox—who let HB77 become law without his signature—[called the whole fight “dumb.”](https://utahpolitics.news/the-whole-things-dumb-utah-gov-cox-blasts-pride-flag-battle-with-salt-lake-city/) HB302 closes that loophole by barring public entities from altering flags’ appearance. Lee is co-chair of the very committee that would review any new city or county flags under HB302. Last year [he had a tantrum on social media](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-lawmaker-threatens-pride-ban-for-organizations-receiving-public-funds-experts-say-that-would-violate-the-constitution/) after the NHL’s Utah Mammoth posted a Pride-themed logo. He later floated the idea of restricting Pride celebrations by private organizations that receive public funding. In 2024, Utah lawmakers approved nearly $1 billion in taxpayer funds for the Smith Entertainment Group. The funding will pay for renovations to the Delta Center and surrounding area. HB302 also micromanages where approved flags can fly. Courthouses and public airports could only display flags from the approved list. Elsewhere—city halls, parks, other facilities—local governments could use their single official flag or a ceremonial flag, if the committee has blessed it. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Prop. 4 repeal update: Statewide math barely works; district requirements don't URL: https://utahpolitics.news/prop-4-repeal-update-statewide-math-barely-works-district-requirements-dont/ Last updated: 2026-01-26T15:24:09.000Z At the current pace, the Republican-backed bid to repeal Utah’s Prop 4—the 2018 anti-gerrymandering measure—won’t make the November ballot. The campaign logged 2,354 new verified signatures in the latest update. ### Key statistics - **2,354** verified signatures added yesterday. - **Total verified**: 50,682 (36% of the statewide goal). - **To stay on track**: 2,815 verified signatures per working day through March 7. ****Scenario 1**—recent pace (≈1,300/day): short by 48,466 statewide. ****Scenario 2**—Overall average (1,877/day): short by 29,998. ****Scenario 3**—best five-day clip (2,857/day): clears the statewide bar by 1,352. Organizers must submit at least 140,748 signatures from registered voters statewide by Feb. 14; county clerks have until March 7 to verify. ### Districts still lagging Even if they hit the statewide total, they still won’t qualify unless they also reach 8% of registered voters in 26 of Utah’s 29 state Senate districts (a separate legal threshold). So far, they haven’t met the 8% bar in a single district. - **District 27**: 96.75% of goal (+461 yesterday); needs 185 more. - **District 25**: 69.18%; needs 1,519. - **District 26**: 65.18%; needs 1,803. - **District 29**: 60.03%; needs 2,151. - **District 28**: 55.58%; needs 2,415. - Twenty districts sit at 45% or below; seven are under 20%. - Four districts added fewer than 15 signatures yesterday. Clearing 8% in 26 districts would take a massive surge between now and the March 7 verification cutoff. Even at their best clip (2,857/day) sustained through March 7, they’d likely hit the district threshold in only about 14 districts—still 12 short. In other words, the statewide math barely works right now; the district math doesn’t. ### 'Show your papers' to vote in Utah? URL: https://utahpolitics.news/show-your-papers-to-vote-in-utah/ Last updated: 2026-01-26T15:24:17.000Z Utah Republicans are back with a familiar idea: make voting in state races harder than voting for president. The latest vehicle is HB209, which would split Utah’s electorate into two tracks—full ballots for those who show citizenship papers, and federal-only ballots for everyone else. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****24 days** \- Signature deadline for ballot initiative seeking to repeal Prop. 4 (2/14/2026) ****44 days** \- The final day of the 2026 Utah Legislature (3/6/2026) ****47 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****55 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****80 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****94 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****153 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****286 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****1,021 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Repeal Prop. 4? Not at this pace URL: https://utahpolitics.news/repeal-prop-4-not-at-this-pace/ Last updated: 2026-01-20T20:15:35.000Z Utah’s Prop 4 repeal campaign barely budged in the latest count. As of Tuesday morning, clerks verified just 1,618 more signatures, nudging the effort to just over 34% of the 140,748 required statewide to land on November’s ballot. Prop. 4, passed in 2018, created an independent redistricting commission and banned partisan gerrymandering. Organizers for the push to repeal the measure are struggling to catch up. They have until Feb. 14 to submit signatures, and final totals may not be available until March 7 (clerks have 21 days to verify). That timeline averages to an average of 2,801 verified signatures per working day, excluding weekends and holidays, if they want to meet the statewide minimum. The good news? They’ve topped 2,801 on six separate days and hit 2,500 or more on 10 days. Their best five-day average was between Dec. 15-19 with 2,858 verified signatures per day. The bad news? They’ve struggled to maintain that pace. The trend is slipping. The most recent five-day average is 2,063—26% below target, or 738 short per day. At that pace, they’ll miss the statewide requirement by more than 24,000 signatures. Even their best 10-day average—2,124 per day—is roughly 24% below the 2,801 they need. And even if they hit the statewide number, there’s the tougher hurdle: signatures from 8% of voters in 26 of Utah’s 29 Senate districts. After more than a month, they haven’t cleared that bar in a single district. At the current 2,063-a-day clip, they’d cross the 8% threshold in just six districts—20 short. Even at the needed 2,801 per day, projections suggest they’d hit the mark in only 13 districts—half of what’s required. - Ten districts (SD2, SD10, SD11, SD23, SD24, SD25, SD26, SD27, SD28, SD29) sit at 36–89% of the requirement; at 2,801 per day, these likely reach the goal. - Ten districts (SD1, SD4, SD5, SD12, SD13, SD15, SD16, SD20, SD21 and SD22) are at 21-36% and need extra focus—roughly 100 to 120 new signatures per day. - Six districts (SD3, SD8, SD9, SD17, SD18 and SD19) sit at 17-20% and need heavy targeting—about 120-150 signatures per district per day. - Three districts (SD6, SD7 and SD14) are currently below 16% and need a major push to qualify—roughly 120-140 per district per day. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Utah bill tells bosses: You can't punish workers for cooperating with police - or ICE URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-bill-tells-bosses-you-cant-punish-workers-for-cooperating-with-police-or-ice/ Last updated: 2026-01-22T15:24:53.000Z Utah lawmakers are weighing legislation that tells employers they can’t punish workers or refuse to hire someone because they chose to cooperate with police or immigration agents. ****⏰ Tick Tock** The 2026 Utah Legislature starts today (1/20/2026) ****25 days** \- Signature deadline for ballot initiative seeking to repeal Prop. 4 (2/14/2026) ****45 days** \- The final day of the 2026 Utah Legislature (3/6/2026) ****48 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****56 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****81 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****95 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****154 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****287 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****1,022 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Utah Sen. Mike Lee parrots white nationalist 'Great Replacement' rhetoric URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-sen-mike-lee-parrots-white-nationalist-great-replacement-rhetoric/ Last updated: 2026-01-22T15:25:01.000Z Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee used his personal X/Twitter account Sunday night to echo the racist “Great Replacement” conspiracy—writing, “We’ve been invaded… outsiders chosen to replace us. We can’t let them beat us.” Conservatives spent the weekend fuming after Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar [referred to the country](https://www.foxnews.com/media/ilhan-omar-refers-u-s-god-states-during-impassioned-remarks-about-ice?ref=utahpolitics.news) as the “U.S. god——ed States” during a hearing on the tactics used by ICE agents across the country. On Sunday evening, President Donald Trump [called for Omar](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-asserts-ilhan-omar-should-jailed-booted-somalia?ref=utahpolitics.news) to either be jailed or deported to Somalia. That same evening, Lee, posting from his @basedmikelee account, responded to an attack on Omar that called her and other immigrants “Godless, non-assimilated anti-American foreigners” who “infiltrated America.” “We’ve been invaded by people who let in the outsiders chosen to replace us,” Lee wrote. “We can’t let them beat us.” > We’ve been invaded > > By people who let in the outsiders chosen to replace us > > We can’t let them beat us [https://t.co/SlRDYxgyff](https://t.co/SlRDYxgyff?ref=utahpolitics.news) > > — Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) [January 19, 2026](https://twitter.com/BasedMikeLee/status/2013077108386373639?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) Lee’s language tracks directly with the [“Great Replacement” conspiracy](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/what-is-great-replacement-theory-and-how-does-it-fuel-racist-violence?ref=utahpolitics.news), which claims “political elites” are engineering the replacement of white Americans through immigration and higher birthrates among nonwhite people. Once a fringe white nationalist idea, it has migrated into mainstream GOP rhetoric on immigration by recasting immigrants as invaders or a hostile force, echoing older white supremacist narratives about racial purity. Lee’s office did not respond to questions from Utah Political Watch about the post. The Great Replacement has also been cited by perpetrators in multiple violent attacks: - Marchers at the 2017 [“Unite the Right” rally](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unite%5Fthe%5FRight%5Frally?ref=utahpolitics.news) in Charlottesville, Virginia used slogans referencing ethnic replacement chanting “You will not replace us,” and “Jews will not replace us.” - The 2019 Christchurch mosque attacker [wrote a 74-page manifesto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christchurch%5Fmosque%5Fshootings?ref=utahpolitics.news) titled “The Great Replacement.” It was filled with white supremacist rhetoric and anti-immigrant sentiments. - Before the [deadly 2018 attack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pittsburgh%5Fsynagogue%5Fshooting?ref=utahpolitics.news) on the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the shooter posted repeatedly promoting the Great Replacement theory. - The attacker in the [2019 shooting at a Walmart](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019%5FEl%5FPaso%5FWalmart%5Fshooting?ref=utahpolitics.news) in El Paso, Texas, that killed 23 people authored a manifesto that promoted the Great Replacement. The shooter said he was inspired by the Christchurch mosque shootings in New Zealand. - The perpetrator in a 2022 [mass shooting in Buffalo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022%5FBuffalo%5Fshooting?ref=utahpolitics.news), New York, explicitly cited the Christchurch mosque attack as inspiration. Prominent conservative figures have also referenced the Great Replacement, including Tucker Carlson and a [handful of congressional Republicans](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/05/15/stefanik-buffalo-replacement/?ref=utahpolitics.news). Vice President JD Vance [accused Democrats](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/republican-senate-candidates-promote-replacement-theory?ref=utahpolitics.news) of trying to “transform the electorate” during his 2022 U.S. Senate campaign. [A 2022](https://www.splcenter.org/news/2022/06/01/poll-finds-support-great-replacement-hard-right-ideas?ref=utahpolitics.news) survey found that nearly seven in ten Republicans believe in the “Great Replacement ### Analysis: Bad math that could doom Prop. 4 repeal effort URL: https://utahpolitics.news/analysis-the-daunting-math-that-could-doom-prop-4-repeal-effort/ Last updated: 2026-01-22T15:25:07.000Z With the Feb. 14 deadline looming, the push to repeal Prop. 4, the anti-gerrymandering reform law approved by voters in 2018, is flailing. [Utahns for Representative Government (UFRG)](https://www.ufrg.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news), the group behind the repeal, is well short on verified signatures—and even further from meeting geographical requirements. Organizers have just a third of the verified signatures they need by the Feb. 14 deadline. Worse, it hasn’t cleared the bar in a single required state Senate district. Utah law doesn’t just require a statewide total; there are also signature thresholds in 26 of 29 Senate districts. Miss those, and the measure doesn’t make the ballot no matter the statewide count. The numbers are brutal. - Statewide requirement: 140,748 verified signatures. As of now, they’re at roughly 33% with 26 days left. - Geographic requirements: Signatures from 8% of voters in 26 of 29 state Senate districts. They haven’t hit the mark in even one. The closest is SD27 at 84% of the total requirement - still about 900 short. - Five other districts are above 50%. Everywhere else, they’re under half. - Ten districts are below 20%. Three are at or below 15%, including SD7—held by Senate President Stuart Adams. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/01/2026.01.19-Prop-4-graphic.jpg) Just to meet the statewide minimum, they need to average more than 3,200 verified signatures per day from here on out. In several districts, the daily pace needs to top 100 verified signatures just to qualify. Their best day so far was early in the verification process on Dec. 16 with 3,876 verified signatures. The best Senate district that day was SD25 with 461\. A month later, SD25 still needs nearly 60 verified signatures per day to qualify. The best five-day average so far for signature verification was Dec. 15-19, when they averaged about 2,858 per day. Even if they matched that for the next month, they’d still fall approximately 8,300 signatures short of the statewide requirement. They need to outperform their peak performance by nearly 10% for four straight weeks just to squeak by. Momentum is sliding, not climbing. The recent five-day average is down 34% from peak. The best 10-day average—2,124 per day—is still 32% below what’s needed. Last year’s HB267 referendum shows how far behind this effort is. HB267 banned public sector employees from collectively bargaining for wages and benefits, effectively neutering public employee labor unions. After the GOP supermajority in the legislature rammed it through during the 2025 session, labor groups mobilized a referendum for the 2026 ballot. Lawmakers repealed HB267 in a special session late last year rather than give angry voters a reason to show up in November. While referendum rules differ slightly from initiatives, the statewide signature goal is the same. In just 23 days, HB267 organizers had 251,262 signatures verified—nearly double the statewide requirement—averaging 10,924 per day. Organizers say they submitted more than 320,000 signatures before officials stopped counting. By contrast, the Prop. 4 repeal has averaged about 1,946 per day over 24 days, which is 81% slower than the referendum. The HB267 repeal collected signatures at 5.6x the rate as the Prop. 4 repeal and almost certainly hit the district requirements in 26 Senate districts. The repeal hasn’t met the requirement in even one district. Even more damning, UFRG has spent $4.3 million for paid petition gatherers, according to financial disclosures, which is more than $92 per signature so far. Protect Utah Workers, the group that organized the HB267 repeal, [spent just over $2.7 million](https://utahpolitics.news/unions-pour-2-6m-into-effort-to-overturn-utahs-anti-union-law/), just $10.75 per signature. Protect Workers, the group that organized the repeal, spent $2.7 million to collect 251,262 signatures at $10.75 each. UFRG has spent 61% more for 81% fewer signatures at this point. Even more damning is the massive financial backing for the Prop. 4 repeal. UFRG has spent $4.3 million for paid petition gatherers, according to financial disclosures - which is more than $92 per signature so far. All of UFRG’s money [has come from just one donor](https://utahpolitics.news/dark-money-blitz-trump-aligned-group-flooding-utah-with-cash-to-overturn-anti-gerrymandering-law/). Securing American Greatness, a dark money group aligned with President Donald Trump’s political operation. By comparison, Protect Utah Workers, the group that organized the HB267 repeal, [spent just over $2.7 million](https://utahpolitics.news/unions-pour-2-6m-into-effort-to-overturn-utahs-anti-union-law/), an average of about $11 per signature. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Prop. 4 repeal bid continues to stumble URL: https://utahpolitics.news/prop-4-repeal-bid-continues-to-stumble/ Last updated: 2026-01-22T15:25:14.000Z The bid to repeal Utah’s voter-approved anti-gerrymandering law (Prop. 4) is sputtering: with less than a month until the Feb. 14 deadline, signature verification is falling further behind. As of Friday morning, [Utahns for Representative Government](https://www.ufrg.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news) (UFRG), the political-issue committee backing the ballot initiative, has collected just over a third of the 140,748 signatures needed statewide to qualify for the 2026 ballot. Backers also must collect signatures from 8% of voters in 26 of Utah’s 29 state Senate districts. They haven’t cleared that bar in a single district, and only six are even above 50% of the requirement: - SD27 - 84.2% - SD25 - 64.35% - SD26 - 61.22% - SD29 - 60% - SD28 - 55.23% - SD2 - 52.24% In ten other districts, they’re below 20% of the goal, with most of those in Salt Lake and Davis Counties. The furthest behind is SD7, represented by Senate President Stuart Adams. [As of Thursday](https://utahpolitics.news/prop-4-repeal-push-scrambling-for-signatures/), organizers needed at least 3,175 signatures per day to stay on pace; Friday’s shortfall of 1,970 bumps the daily target to 3,243 just to reach the minimum statewide threshold. The Utah Republican Party and UFRG are bringing in [conservative activist Scott Pressler](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/scott-presler-conspiracy-theories-lara-trump-rnc-job-rcna144144?ref=utahpolitics.news) for a trio of events this weekend to juice signatures. Pressler, who has a massive social media following, is best known for GOP voter registration and get-out-the-vote efforts. He has faced criticism over [ties to anti-Muslim groups](https://web.archive.org/web/20230407175429/https://www.mediamatters.org/qanon-conspiracy-theory/updated-rep-elise-stefanik-partnering-qanon-conspiracy-theorist-scott), election denialism and [for amplifying debunked conspiracy theories](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/scott-presler-conspiracy-theories-lara-trump-rnc-job-rcna144144?ref=utahpolitics.news), including QAnon. ### Phil Lyman loses again: Judge tosses lawsuit over Utah's voter rolls URL: https://utahpolitics.news/phil-lyman-loses-again-judge-tosses-lawsuit-over-utahs-voter-rolls/ Last updated: 2026-01-20T16:44:42.000Z Another court loss for former Rep. Phil Lyman: on Thursday a federal judge threw out his latest bid to cast doubt on his 2024 GOP gubernatorial primary loss. Last year, Lyman sued in federal court, alleging Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson violated the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) by refusing to turn over Utah’s statewide voter registration list—including birth years and records marked “private” or “withheld.” Utah law bars private access to that data. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****4 days** \- Start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) ****29 days** \- Signature deadline for ballot initiative seeking to repeal Prop. 4 (2/14/2026) ****52 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****60 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****85 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****99 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****158 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****291 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****1,026 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) In his suit, he argued that NVRA requires states to let people inspect voter registration records and should override Utah’s privacy protections. On Thursday, federal District Judge David Nuffer tossed the case, holding that even if Henderson violated NVRA as Lyman claims, he showed no real harm from being denied access to the records, and therefore had no standing to sue. “Mr. Lyman only wants information to monitor the Lt. Governor’s compliance with the NVRA,” Nuffer wrote. "He faces no threat of prosecution; no civil penalty; no viewpoint discrimination; and no adverse consequence beyond being denied access to data he seeks." “Mr. Lyman can see the portions of Utah’s voter rolls designated ‘public’ on the Lt. Governor’s website,” Nuffer added. Lyman’s suit was backed by the [Public Interest Legal Foundation](https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Public%5FInterest%5FLegal%5FFoundation?ref=utahpolitics.news) (PILF), a right-wing nonprofit that pushes voter fraud claims and routinely sues to force voter‑roll purges of alleged noncitizens or deceased voters. The organization has been affiliated with prominent election deniers. Cleta Mitchell, who took part in Donald Trump’s [infamous phone call](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trump%E2%80%93Raffensperger%5Fphone%5Fcall?ref=utahpolitics.news) following the 2020 election where he pressured Georgia election officials to “find” 11,780 votes, served as chairperson of the organizations board of directors, and John Eastman, who [cooked up the “fake elector” scheme](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trump%5Ffake%5Felectors%5Fplot?ref=utahpolitics.news) to try and help Trump overturn his election loss, [was listed as a director for the organization](https://www.democracydocket.com/analysis/how-a-right-wing-legal-group-uses-the-courts-to-spread-election-disinformation/?ref=utahpolitics.news) on its [2021 tax filings](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/454355641/202233199349314108/full?ref=utahpolitics.news). In March, the conservative group Judicial Watch [threatened to sue Henderson](https://www.judicialwatch.org/election-integrity-legal-action/?ref=utahpolitics.news) over access to Utah’s voter registration lists, arguing Utah violated NVRA by restricting the data. Last May, the Department of Justice demanded that multiple states, including Utah, turn over copies of their voter databases. [Henderson rejected the request](https://ltgovernor.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/Lt.-Gov.-Deidre-Henderson-DOJ-Response-Letter.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news), saying that Utah “is in compliance with federal election law, including NVRA.” Since 2021, Lyman has embraced election‑fraud conspiracy theories—and tried repeatedly to pry open Utah’s full voter database. - In 2021, Lyman traveled to South Dakota with then-Rep. Steve Christiansen for [Mike Lindell’s “cyber symposium”](https://web.archive.org/web/20210813132757/https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2021/08/13/rundown-two-utah/) where the My Pillow CEO promised “irrefutable” proof that Chinese hackers stole the 2020 election for Joe Biden. - Later that year, Christiansen and Lyman [tried to leverage their offices](https://web.archive.org/web/20251226133705/https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2021/10/29/why-does-utah-lawmaker/) as to obtain copies of Utah’s entire voter database. That request was denied. - In 2022, Lyman [spoke at a Colorado election conspiracy conference](https://web.archive.org/web/20251001053902/https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2022/06/23/utah-rep-phil-lyman-set/) hosted by Lindell. - A few days after the Colorado event, [Lyman floated baseless claims](https://web.archive.org/web/20250810042603/https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2022/06/27/utah-legislator-floats/) that voting machines were flipping votes from Republican Mike Lee to independent Evan McMullin. - As his 2024 primary loss loomed, Lyman and his allies tried to undermine Spencer Cox’s ballot qualification via signatures. He repeatedly sought access to Cox’s signature packets to “verify” alleged fraud—access state law forbids. [A lawsuit over that demand was tossed](https://web.archive.org/web/20251005213745/https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2024/07/19/phil-lyman-cant-see-voters/). - After losing the primary, Lyman launched a write-in bid for governor and finished third. He then asked the U.S. Supreme Court [to block certification](https://utahpolitics.news/phil-lymans-last-ditch-effort-to-undo-his-election-loss-hits-another-roadblock/) of Cox’s win—and to [throw out the 2024 results entirely](https://utahpolitics.news/game-over-supreme-court-slams-door-on-lymans-last-ditch-election-challenge/). Both efforts were denied. *Editor's note: A previous version of this story said Cleta Mitchell and John Eatman were current members of the board of directors for the Public Interest Legal Foundation. It has been corrected. We regret the error.* ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Prop. 4 repeal push scrambling for signatures URL: https://utahpolitics.news/prop-4-repeal-push-scrambling-for-signatures/ Last updated: 2026-01-20T16:44:50.000Z ****Paywall? Not today.** This story's for everyone. But if you want more of this, subscribe and support independent journalism that answers to readers, not political agendas. Clock’s ticking: 30 days remain for the group pushing to put a repeal of Utah’s anti-gerrymandering law (Prop. 4) on the 2026 ballot. As of Thursday morning, Jan. 15, organizers had submitted just under one-third of the 140,748 signatures due by Feb. 14. Prop. 4, approved by voters in 2018, created an independent redistricting commission and banned partisan gerrymandering. The GOP-controlled Legislature repealed it in 2020 before it could be implemented. After a coalition of good-government groups and citizens filed suit, a judge ruled lawmakers acted unconstitutionally when they repealed Prop. 4\. She reinstated the law and threw out the congressional map approved by lawmakers in 2021. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****5 days** \- Start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) ****30 days** \- Signature deadline for ballot initiative seeking to repeal Prop. 4 (2/14/2026) ****53 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****61 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****86 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****100 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****159 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****292 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****1,027 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) Utahns for Representative Government (UFRG) is organizing the current signature drive to put the repeal on the 2026 ballot. To qualify, organizers must also collect signatures equal to 8% of active voters in at least 26 of the state’s 29 Senate districts. So far, they haven't cleared the bar in any. They're above 70% of the requirement in just one district - SD27, and above 50% in another four. They’re below 50% of the requirement in 23 districts, with 9 of those below 20%. Unsurprisingly, most signers so far are Republicans. [Using voter data from the firm L2](https://www.l2-data.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news), Utah Political Watch matched more than 35,000 petition signers to the statewide voter file. Roughly 7,000 could not be matched because their information is not available publicly or was incomplete. Two out of every three voters who have added their signature are registered Republicans. About 20% are unaffiliated. Just over 7% are Democrats. Utah GOP chair Rob Axson, who is heading up UFRG, told a far-right group earlier in January that Prop. 4 “usurps” Utah’s form of government by letting an unelected body draw maps—and that undoing it is literally a matter of divine importance. “I believe that our system of government has benefited this country and this state in ways that it is now up to us to protect. It’s something that I believe that a higher power, our Heavenly Father, expects us fight for. He expects us to defend this because this is the system that has allowed the greatest amount of good to come into the world. We have to take seriously what is here before us,” Axson said. [UFRG’s signature effort is wholly funded](https://utahpolitics.news/morning-memo-trump-aligned-dark-money-group-drops-another-2-1-million-into-prop-4-repeal-effort/) by an out-of state dark money group that is part of President Donald Trump’s political network. Securing American Greatness, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization that can raise unlimited amounts of money without disclosing donors, has donated $4.35 million to the repeal campaign. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Utah bill moves to nuke daily fantasy sports apps operating in legal gray area URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-bill-moves-to-nuke-daily-fantasy-sports-apps-operating-in-legal-gray-area/ Last updated: 2026-01-20T16:44:56.000Z Utah’s state constitution already bans gambling. A new bill would close a loophole by nuking prop bets and likely daily fantasy “pick ‘ems” that companies like DraftKings and FanDuel use to skate the ban. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****6 days** \- Start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) ****31 days** \- Signature deadline for ballot initiative seeking to repeal Prop. 4 (2/14/2026) ****54 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****62 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****87 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****101 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****160 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****293 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****1,028 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Deep pockets: Utah Gov. Spencer Cox raised $1.6M in 2025, mostly from big donors URL: https://utahpolitics.news/deep-pockets-utah-gov-spencer-cox-raised-1-6m-in-2025-mostly-from-big-donors/ Last updated: 2026-01-20T16:45:26.000Z Utah Republican Gov. Spencer Cox raised $1.611 million in 2025 and burned through more than $1.425 million, with a donor pool dominated by corporate interests and regulated industries. According to year-end financial disclosures, his campaign reported $1,611,000 raised in 2025, his biggest off-cycle haul since taking office in 2020, and spent more than $1,425,000\. He reports more than $440,000 in the bank. Cox has announced he won’t run for a third term in 2028. Just 19 donors giving $20,000 or more supplied nearly half of Cox’s 2025 fundraising haul. Ten corporate donors alone cut $50,000 checks apiece, totaling $500,000, or roughly 31% of the total. More than two of every three dollars (70%) came from just 55 donors who contributed $10,000 or more. In total, approximately 200 donors gave at least $1,000, and their combined contributions accounted for more than 99% of Cox’s fundraising. Small dollar donations of $500 or less made up less than 0.3% of the total. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/01/cox_donations_concentration-1.png) Corporate and industry money—much of it from sectors regulated by the state—poured into Cox’s campaign in 2025. Construction and real estate interests kicked in nearly $300,000, which is notable given Cox’s focus on [addressing Utah’s housing crisis](https://www.npr.org/2025/09/02/nx-s1-5431545/starter-homes-utah-housing-cost-affordable-target?ref=utahpolitics.news). Clyde Companies, Price Realty Group, Seddie LLC, Reef Capital Partners, and Holly House Holdings each donated $50,000\. Cox also took $25,000 from New York real estate developer Gary Barnett, whose company is [building a ski resort in Deer Valley](https://expandedexcellence.deervalley.com/anchoring-the-expanded-terrain-deer-valley-resort-and-extell-development-company-unveil-deer-valley-east-village/?ref=utahpolitics.news) with the assistance of the state’s [Military Industrial Development Authority](https://www.midaut.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news) (MIDA), which provides state tax dollars to fund infrastructure on military-related projects. One major energy-sector donor was [Torus, Inc](https://www.torus.co/?ref=utahpolitics.news)., which gave $50,000\. Torus figures prominently in [Cox’s “Operation Gigawatt,”](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-09/magnetar-bets-200-million-on-torus-energy-storage-expansion?ref=utahpolitics.news) his push to double Utah’s energy capacity in the next decade. Torus also donated $50,000 to Cox in 2024. Other energy and utility donors included Deseret Power Electric Cooperative ($28,500), PacifiCorp ($15,000), Dominion Energy ($10,000), and Chevron ($7,500). Healthcare and insurance donors included UnitedHealthCare ($10,000), WCF Insurance ($15,000), and Regence BlueCross BlueShield ($5,000). Big Pharma and Big Tech also chipped in: the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), which donated $10,000, Vertex Pharmaceuticals ($5,000); Draper-based 1-800 Contacts ($15,000); DoorDash ($10,000); and Airbnb ($4,000). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2026/01/cox_donations_overview.png) Cox listed several high-profile individual donors on his disclosure, including real estate developer J. Steven Price ($25,000), entrepreneur and former congressional candidate Case Lawrence ($35,000), and Vivint founder Todd Pedersen ($25,000). ### Where the money went Cox’s annual Governor’s Gala fundraiser at the Grand America Hotel in November was a massive fundraiser—and an expensive one—with costs nearing $500,000\. The venue alone cost nearly $170,000\. Flowers for the event topped $45,000\. Entertainment featured two comedians—Ryan Hamilton and Joe Zimmerman. Hamilton was paid more than $50,000 for the private performance, while Zimmerman was paid $20,000\. The campaign also paid $5,000 to the [SLC Mass Choir](https://www.makinggodfamous.live/about-us?ref=utahpolitics.news). For his 2024 gala, Cox hired The Killers’ frontman Brandon Flowers for a private show at $100,000\. A video of Cox crowdsurfing during the performance made the rounds on social media following the event. > What an awesome night! Here is a video of [@GovCox](https://twitter.com/GovCox?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) crowd surfing to [@BrandonFlowers](https://twitter.com/BrandonFlowers?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) singing Mr. Brightside. [#utpol](https://twitter.com/hashtag/utpol?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) [pic.twitter.com/F3zeEbyZXy](https://t.co/F3zeEbyZXy?ref=utahpolitics.news) > > — Joseph Nixon (@JoeyJMNixon) [September 24, 2024](https://twitter.com/JoeyJMNixon/status/1838409765325541480?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) The campaign shelled out nearly $190,000 for his second inauguration at the Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City in January and nearly $75,000 to stage the annual Governor’s Golf Tournament fundraiser at Wasatch Mountain Golf Course. Cox’s campaign donated nearly $30,000 to political candidates and organizations in 2025, including $5,000 to the Conservative Millennials PAC and $2,500 to the Utah County Legislative PAC. The campaign also gave $20,000 to the [Utah’s First Lady Foundation](https://www.showuputah.org/about?ref=utahpolitics.news) and $10,000 to the [Utah Food Bank](https://www.utahfoodbank.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news). Nearly a quarter of Cox’s 2025 disbursements went to [Election Hive](https://www.electionhive.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news), the consulting firm co-owned by his cousin Jon Cox. More than $355,000 flowed to Election Hive for campaign management and fundraising services. Curiously, the campaign also spent more than $11,000 on ads on X/Twitter in 2025, with roughly $9,000 of that coming in late December. ### Rep. Trevor Lee wants to strip local control away from Salt Lake City to own the libs URL: https://utahpolitics.news/rep-trevor-lee-wants-to-strip-local-control-away-from-salt-lake-city-to-own-the-libs/ Last updated: 2026-01-20T16:45:32.000Z Utah Republicans love to preach “local control”—until a culture-war priority needs the state to step in. HB196 is the latest test: a bill that lets the Legislature rename city streets over local objections, crafted for one specific target in Salt Lake City. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Utah's 2026 midterm elections by the numbers URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-2026-midterms-by-the-numbers/ Last updated: 2026-01-15T16:38:38.000Z ****Paywall? Not today.** This story's for everyone. But if you want more of this—investigations, GRAMA deep dives, calling out the bullshit—subscribe. Support independent journalism that answers to readers, not billionaires or political agendas. Candidate filing for the 2026 midterms wrapped up on Thursday. Here’s the scoreboard as of Friday morning–who's running, the open seats and no-shows, and the candidate who is suing their opponent. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****11 days** \- Start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) ****36 days** \- Signature deadline for ballot initiative seeking to repeal Prop. 4 (2/14/2026) ****59 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****67 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****92 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****106 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****165 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****298 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****1,033 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) ### 284 **Total candidates filed for 15 Utah Senate seats and 75 Utah House seats.** - 145 Republican candidates (25 Senate, 120 House) - 109 Democratic candidates (20 Senate, 89 House) - 21 Forward Party candidates (7 Senate, 14 House) - 7 Constitution Party candidates (6 Senate, 1 House) - 2 One Libertarian and one unaffiliated candidate, both in House races ### 93% Senate districts with at least one Republican or Democrat on the ballot. - Only one Senate race lacks a Republican: SD14, held by Democrat Stephanie Pitcher. - Democrats fielded in all but SD20, where Republican Ron Winterton is the incumbent. ### 3 **House races without a Republican candidate** GOP candidates filed to run in 72 of 75 contests (96%). - HD21 - Open seat (Democrat Sandra Hollins is retiring) - HD34 - Open seat (Democrat Carol Spackman Moss is retiring after 26 years) - HD40 - Held by Democrat Andrew Stoddard. ### 8 **House races without a Democratic candidate** Democrats are fielding candidates in 67 of 75 races (89%). There are no Democrats running in eight races: - HD3 - Held by Republican Jason Thompson - HD6 - Open seat (Republican Matt Gwynn is not running for re-election) - HD19 - Republican Raymond Ward is the incumbent. - HD38 - Open seat (Republican Cheryl Acton did not file to run for another term) - HD60 - Open seat (Republican Tyler Clancy is not running for re-election) - HD64 - Currently held by Republican Jefferson Burton - HD65 - Republican Doug Welton is the incumbent. - HD68 - Held by Republican Scott Chew. ### 14 **Incumbents not seeking another term** - SD5 - Republican Ann Millner - SD6 - Republican Jerry Stevenson - SD13 - Democrat Nate Blouin - HD6 - Republican Matt Gwynn - HD13 - Republican Karen Peterson - HD14 - Republican Karianne Lisonbee - HD17 - Republican Stewart Barlow - HD21 - Democrat Sandra Hollins - HD29 - Republican Bridger Bolinder - HD34 - Democrat Carol Spackman Moss - HD38 - Republican Cheryl Acton - HD59 - Republican Mike Kohler - HD60 - Republican Tyler Clancy - HD67 - Republican Christine Watkins ### 4 **Open seats created by incumbents seeking other offices** - SD13 - Democrat Nate Blouin is running for Congress. - HD10 - Republican Jill Koford is running for SD5 - HD48 - Republican Doug Fiefia is challenging Republican Dan McCay in SD18 - HD67 - Republican Christine Watkins is running for the Carbon County Commission ### 3 **Candidates running unopposed** - Republican Rep. Ray Ward (HD19) - Republican Rep. Mark Strong (HD47) - Republican Doug Welton (HD65) ### 5 **Races likely decided at convention or in a primary** - SD14 - Democrat Stephanie Pitcher faces Tayler Khater for the nomination. Both candidates plan to gather signatures, so it could go to a primary. - HD21 - Six Democrats are running to replace Sandra Hollins; several are gathering signatures. - HD34 - Democrats Julie Jackson and Erin Jemison are the only candidates who have declared. Both are collecting signatures. - HD60 - Three Republican candidates are vying to succeed Tyler Clancy; two are collecting signatures, likely forcing a primary. - HD64 - Republican Jefferson Burton faces two challengers for the GOP nomination. None of them are gathering signatures, so this race will be decided at convention as there are no other candidates in the race. ### 1 **Candidate suing an opponent** Tracy Halvorsen filed to challenge Sen. Dan McCay for the GOP nomination in SD18\. McCay is also a defendant [in a sweeping federal lawsuit](https://utahpolitics.news/phil-lyman-supporters-sue-to-boot-cox-curtis-and-brown-from-office-replace-them-with-republican-convention-winners-instead/) brought by Halvorsen and others, alleging election fraud by multiple state officials. The suit asks a judge to remove Gov. Spencer Cox, Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, Sen. John Curtis, and Attorney General Derek Brown from office and install convention delegate winners Phil Lyman, Natalie Clawson, Trent Staggs, and Frank Mylar instead. ### Davis County Commissioner Bob Stevenson challenges Rep. Trevor Lee for GOP nomination in HD16 URL: https://utahpolitics.news/davis-county-commissioner-bob-stevenson-challenges-rep-trevor-lee-for-gop-nomination-in-hd16/ Last updated: 2026-01-15T16:38:47.000Z Republican Rep. Trevor Lee, a culture-war firebrand and one of the most polarizing figures in the Utah Legislature, now has a heavyweight coming for his seat. Late Thursday, Davis County Commissioner Bob Stevenson filed to run against Lee for the Republican nomination in House District 16. Stevenson, who is retiring from the Davis County Commission after two terms, has a long political pedigree to lean on. He won a seat on the Layton City Council in 1981 and was reelected three times, then served as Layton’s mayor before stepping down in 2019 to join the County Commission. In 2020, Stevenson ran for Congress in Utah’s 1st Congressional District to replace Rob Bishop. He narrowly lost the GOP primary to Blake Moore by fewer than 3,000 votes. Lee, meanwhile, toppled six-term incumbent Republican Steve Handy in 2022 by winning the Davis County GOP Convention. Handy mounted a write-in bid that fall, but Lee still won by 1,745 votes. In 2024, Lee edged Republican Daniela Harding for the nomination by just 524 votes, then cruised in the general. Lee’s tenure has been defined by headline-generating culture war battles. - Before he was elected, [Lee ran an anonymous X/Twitter account](https://web.archive.org/web/20230203043952/https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2022/09/23/gop-candidate-trevor-lee-ran/) where he posted anti-LGBTQ content and promoted conspiracy theories about non-existent fraud in the 2020 election. He also [made transphobic comments](https://web.archive.org/web/20251010022703/https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2022/04/29/republican-candidate-utah/) during an appearance on a conservative podcast. - In 2024, Lee was [accused of being Islamophobic](https://www.ksl.com/article/51112255/rep-trevor-lee-defends-post-featuring-muslims-thinks-its-unnecessarily-riling-up-people?ref=utahpolitics.news) after he posted a video of a group of Muslims walking in Taylorsville during a religious pilgrimage. In the small town of Taylorsville, Utah,” he wrote, then added, “Not an American flag in sight.” - In 2025, Lee sponsored legislation that sought to ban Pride flags from public schools and buildings. At the time, [Lee admitted one of the motivations](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-gop-rep-threatens-blanket-ban-after-pride-flag-crackdown/) behind the legislation was to “make sure during Pride Month in Salt Lake City, that you’re not able to fly Pride flags all over the place, which is something people are sick and tired of.” Salt Lake City [later sidestepped the ban](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/05/06/salt-lake-city-adopts-new-banners-sidestepping-pride-flag-ban/?ref=utahpolitics.news), exploiting a loophole in the bill. For the upcoming 2026 session, Lee [is sponsoring legislation](https://utahpolitics.news/horse-paste-no-more-utah-bill-would-let-pharmacists-hand-out-ivermectin/) to make ivermectin available without a prescription at pharmacies, so long as a doctor authorizes it. ### The 'blanket fort situation room' URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/the-blanket-fort-situation-room/ Last updated: 2026-01-13T22:45:08.000Z Senate President Stuart Adams has never been forced into a primary. He's one of the most powerful politicians in Utah, controls PACs with hundreds of thousands of dollars, and typically cruises to reelection by 50-point margins. This time might be different. Adams is facing three Republican challengers for the nomination in Senate District 7\. And if you've been paying attention to the controversies that have plagued him over the last few years, you know exactly why this is happening. In this week's episode of "Special Session": - **Why Adams is vulnerable:** From the controversial law change that helped his step-granddaughter avoid felony charges for child rape, to the campaign finance violations he got caught committing (but faced no real consequences for). - **The most competitive legislative races:** As the candidate filing period wraps up, we're following every race worth watching on our [2026 candidate tracker](https://utahpolitics.news/2026-utah-candidate-tracker/). - **Redistricting court battle update:** What's happening with the legislature's appeal of the judge's ruling, and what happens if the current maps stand? - **The blanket fort situation room**: Because apparently we're doing foreign policy by whim now, and yes, that Mar-a-Lago "secure area" was as ridiculous as it sounds. - **The Nick Shirley Grift:** Why the new conservative hero of the week is just another pseudo-journalist trading in confirmation bias and sensationalism with zero actual reporting. Listen to the full episode [at this link.](https://special-session.transistor.fm/s1/53?ref=utahpolitics.news) ### Lawmaker proposes term limits for Utah elected officials, but the clock won't start until 2027 URL: https://utahpolitics.news/lawmaker-proposes-term-limits-for-utah-elected-officials-but-the-clock-wont-start-until-2027/ Last updated: 2026-01-13T22:45:14.000Z ****Paywall? Not today.** This story's for everyone. But if you want more of this—investigations, GRAMA deep dives, calling out the bullshit—subscribe. Support independent journalism that answers to readers, not billionaires or political agendas. Utah flirted with term limits three decades ago; lawmakers killed them before they ever took effect. Now a GOP lawmaker wants an 8‑year cap that, if it passes, would be baked into the constitution—and a lot harder for the legislature to wriggle out of. In 1994, a ballot initiative effort led by Merrill Cook was gaining steam among voters. Cook’s proposal, known as Initiative A, established a 12-year term limit for state lawmakers and officials, and imposed term limits for Utah’s congressional delegation. It also contained a provision that said if no candidate in an election received majority support, there would be a runoff election between the top two candidates. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****Today** is the last day candidates (except congressional candidates) can file for the 2026 election. (1/8/2026) ****12 days** \- Start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) ****60 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****68 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****93 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****107 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****166 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****299 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****1,034 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) That same year, Orrin Hatch was running for his fourth term in the U.S. Senate. Polling at the time showed overwhelming support for term limits. Republican officials worried that if Initiative A qualified for the ballot, voters would face a contradiction: vote for term limits, then vote for Hatch to serve beyond those limits. To blunt Cook’s proposal, lawmakers passed their own 12-year term limit law for members of the legislature but grandfathered themselves in by delaying implementation until 2007\. Initiative A qualified for the ballot, but voters rejected it by a 2-1 margin. In 2003, four years before the term limits were set to kick in, lawmakers quietly repealed the law with minimal debate. Since then, multiple bills to impose term limits have been introduced and failed. Enter [HJR3](https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HJR003.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) from Rep. Nelson Abbott, R‑Orem: a constitutional amendment capping service at 8 years in the same office. Example: Someone could serve 8 years in the House, then 8 years in the Senate. If a person is appointed to fill a mid-term vacancy before winning a full term in either chamber, that would not count toward the limit. No one could be appointed to finish a term if that appointment would push them past the 8-year cap. Statewide officers—the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, auditor, and treasurer—would also face an 8-year limit per office. One wrinkle: you couldn’t become lieutenant governor if you’ve already served more than one term as governor. Members of Congress wouldn’t be touched by the limits. If approved, the clock starts Jan. 1, 2027—for everyone, including current officeholders. Because it’s a constitutional change, HJR3 needs two‑thirds in both chambers to make the 2026 ballot. Unlike the 1994 term limit measure, Abbott’s proposal, if approved, would be much harder to repeal, since that would take another constitutional amendment. Unlike 1994, Abbot’s version would be much harder to undo. Repeal would require another constitutional amendment—meaning lawmakers can’t just make it disappear like last time. ### Utah GOP lawmaker pushes 7% 'porn tax' to fund teen mental health services URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-gop-lawmaker-pushes-7-porn-tax-to-fund-teen-mental-health-services/ Last updated: 2026-01-13T22:45:21.000Z A Utah Republican lawmaker wants to slap a 7% “porn tax” on adult content tied to the state—produced, sold, filmed, generated, or otherwise based in Utah—under a proposal from Sen. Cal Musselman (R–West Haven). [SB73](https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/SB0073.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) would funnel the proceeds into a new “Teen Mental Health” fund to pay for mental health services and treatment for teenagers. The 7% levy would apply to adult-content sales, memberships, subscriptions, and performances. Companies and platforms producing or hosting adult content that’s “harmful to minors” on sites where adult material makes up a “substantial portion” would have to register annually with the Division of Consumer Protection, pay a $500 registration fee, and certify compliance with Utah's age-verification law. Those fees would be used to pay for the division to monitor and audit whether those websites are actually verifying users’ ages. Skip the registration, and it’s $1,000 per day in penalties. Musselman’s bill leans on the “substantial portion” test—but never defines what percentage or threshold would qualify. The Division of Consumer Protection would write rules on notifications and requirements, so presumably they would clarify that, but the real scope wouldn’t be clear until after the bill passes. Many major adult sites, including PornHub, blocked Utah users after lawmakers passed an age verification law in 2023\. Platforms still operating in Utah would be subject to the tax. Subscription hubs like OnlyFans would likely be covered if creators or subscribers are based in the state. However, the vagueness of the “substantial portion” definition could sweep in other platforms, depending on how regulators draw the line. - Reddit hosts a large adult content ecosystem alongside everything else. - X/Twitter carries a significant amount of pornographic content and serves as a major promotion hub for adult content creators—mixed in with news, politics and everything else. Utah wouldn’t be the first state to impose a sort of “digital sin tax.” Alabama enacted a 10% tax on adult content proceeds in 2024\. Pennsylvania lawmakers are currently weighing a 10% tax on adult content subscriptions and purchases Utah’s been here before. In 2004, lawmakers passed a 10% tax on sexually explicit businesses. Instead of digital content, the tax targeted physical businesses like strip clubs where employees performed or appeared nude or “partially denuded” for 30 or more days per year. The tax covered everything they sold, including food and drinks. Revenue was earmarked for sex offender programs and investigations and prosecutions of internet crimes against children. Strip clubs sued, arguing that the tax violated First Amendment rights. They also claimed the definition of “sexually explicit business” was too broad and could potentially ensnare legitimate theater productions that featured nudity if they ran in Utah for more than 30 days. The Utah Supreme Court upheld the tax, accepting the state’s argument that the tax operated similarly to alcohol and tobacco taxes by targeting “negative secondary effects.” In 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the case on appeal, allowing the tax to stand. Utah declared pornography a “public health crisis” in 2016, and became the first state to pass a comprehensive adult content age verification law in 2023. ### Reverse migration URL: https://utahpolitics.news/reverse-migration/ Last updated: 2026-01-13T22:45:29.000Z Former Congressman Rob Bishop wants back in. If he pulls it off, he’ll do something no Utah politician has done before. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****1 day -** Last day candidates (except congressional candidates) can file for the 2026 election. (1/8/2026) ****13 days** \- Start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) ****61 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****69 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****94 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****108 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****167 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****300 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****1,035 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Five years on, Mike Lee still won't explain his Jan. 6 role URL: https://utahpolitics.news/five-years-on-mike-lee-still-wont-explain-his-jan-6-role/ Last updated: 2026-01-13T22:45:35.000Z ****On the house!** We're making this one available to all readers. If you find it valuable, consider becoming a paid subscriber—your support is what keeps this kind of journalism going. It’s been five years since a pro-Trump mob stormed the U.S. Capitol to stop Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s win. One thing hasn’t changed: Utah Sen. Mike Lee still hasn’t answered for his role in the scheme to overturn that election—and the record shows he wasn’t a bystander. Lee was a key player in the lead-up—advising, assisting, and pressure-testing ways to toss out Biden’s win. He’s never fully answered for it. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****3 days -** Last day candidates (except congressional candidates) can file for the 2026 election. (1/9/2026) ****14 days** \- Start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) ****62 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****70 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****95 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****109 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****168 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****301 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****1,036 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) The evening of Jan. 6, after the attack had ended and the rioters left, [I had a text message exchange with Sen. Lee](https://web.archive.org/web/20220612061553/https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2021/02/11/what-sen-mike-lee-told-me/) while he was on the floor of the Senate. During that exchange, he revealed to me that amid the chaos, he received a phone call from President Trump, who was actually looking for Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville. > *There was a lot of noise and commotion in the room, but I thought I heard him say “How’s it going, Tommy?”* > > *I said, “Mr. President, this is Mike Lee.”* > > *“No,” he insisted, “I dialed Tommy’s number.”* > > *“Mr. President, are you calling for Tommy Tuberville (my new colleague from Alabama)?”* > > *“Yes.”* > > *Anxious to hand the phone to someone else (and not have to argue with the president about matters at hand), I asked if he’d like me to find Senator Tuberville.* > > *He said, “Yeah sure, that’d be great.”* > > *I went and found Senator Tuberville, handed him my phone, and explained that the president would like to speak to him. I stood nearby for the next five or ten minutes as they spoke, not wanting to lose my phone in the middle of a crisis.* [My story about the exchange](https://web.archive.org/web/20210107135331/https://mailchi.mp/sltrib/the-rundown-an-upsetting-day-in-america) was cited in the final report from the House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack. The fact that Trump was calling senators mid-riot should have set off sirens. Lee’s behavior after the attack was revealing, too. After the House impeached Trump a second time for inciting the attack on the Capitol, [Lee told Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/mike-lee-senate-trial-end-trump-acquittal-impeachment-capitol-riot?ref=utahpolitics.news) that Trump deserved a “mulligan.” Lee also [met privately with Trump’s legal team](https://web.archive.org/web/20211124055504/https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2021/02/11/impeachment-trial-uses/) during the Senate impeachment trial, even though he would help render a verdict as a juror in the case. During the trial, [Lee loudly objected](https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/538357-impeachment-trial-descends-into-chaos-over-lee-objection/?ref=utahpolitics.news) when the phone call from Trump was introduced into evidence. The first real inkling that Lee played a part in Trump’s scheme to remain in the White House came later that year in September. Bob Woodward and Robert Costa reported in their book, “Peril,” that Lee investigated Trump’s false claims that massive voter fraud was the reason for his loss. They also reported that [Lee received a confidential memo from the White House](https://archive.ph/20210921002650/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/09/20/peril-woodward-costa-graham-lee-fraud/?ref=utahpolitics.news), authored by John Eastman, that if a handful of states sent slates of “dueling electors” to Congress, then-Vice President Mike Pence could throw those results out, handing the election to Trump. On Jan. 27, Lee told an online town hall he’d made “phone call after phone call” to state officials about alternate electors—and quit only when none would go along. In April of 2022, the full scope of Lee’s part in trying to help Trump reverse his election loss started to come into focus. [In a bombshell story](https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/15/politics/read-mark-meadows-texts-mike-lee-chip-roy/index.html?ref=utahpolitics.news), CNN published [leaked text messages](https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/15/politics/mike-lee-chip-roy-text-messages-jan-6-mark-meadows-overturn-election/index.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) between Lee and then-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows. Those texts put Lee inside the fake elector push from day one: - Lee’s efforts to help Trump started on Nov. 7, 2020, the day after Biden was declared the winner of the election. Lee sent Meadows a letter signed by several prominent conservative organizations urging Trump’s team to “exhaust every legal and constitutional remedy” while challenging the results. - Lee helped Sidney Powell gain access to the Trump White House. He would later walk back his support for Powell after a disastrous press conference where Powell alleged Trump’s defeat was orchestrated by a secret cabal that included George Soros and Hugo Chavez (who was dead). According to Powell, this shadowy group rigged voting machines to make sure Trump lost. Most damning: Lee begged Meadows for marching orders. “Please tell me what I should be saying,” Lee texted on Nov. 20. Those text messages also revealed Lee knew about the Eastman memo much earlier than he had claimed. He told Woodward and Costa that he learned about Eastman’s proposal on Jan. 2 and was “surprised” by the plan. In reality, Lee was one of the first people to make the White House aware of Eastman’s idea, texting Meadows on Nov. 27, 2020, “(John) Eastman has some really interesting research on this. The good news is is (sic) that Eastman is proposing an approach that unlike what Sidney Powell has propose (sic) could be examined very quickly.” Lee has repeatedly claimed that he was merely investigating “rumors” that some states were considering sending alternate slates of electors to Congress, but the final report from the House Jan. 6th Committee tells a different story, noting Lee “spent a month encouraging the idea of having State legislatures endorse competing electors for Trump.” He backed off only when it was clear Trump couldn’t stay in office without breaking the Constitution. Lee was in frequent communication with top Trump campaign lawyer Cleta Mitchell as they desperately tried to convince Republican officials in states carried by Joe Biden to put forward a competing slate of electors. Mitchell was part of the infamous phone call where Trump urged Georgia election officials to “find” enough votes to declare him the winner of that state. Mitchell urged Lee to schedule a hearing in the Senate on Trump’s falsehoods about election fraud. “We need a day in the court of public opinion,” Mitchell said. “If we could pull this off, might it obviate the need for the January 6 strategy?” Lee replied, referencing the alternate elector gambit. “It is part of the strategy. To provide factual support for rejecting certain troublesome electors. That’s the point.” Mitchell replied. Lee agreed to pitch Sen. Lindsey Graham on the idea, but the hearing never materialized. By late December, Lee could see the alternate elector plot was collapsing. On Dec. 30, Lee texted Mitchell, “I don’t think we have any valid basis for objecting to electors.” “It cannot be true that we can object to any state’s presidential electors simply because we don’t think they handled their election well or suspect illegal activity.” Despite that realization, Lee was still frenziedly trying to make the fake elector plot work. On Jan. 4, 2021, Lee texted Meadows that he was “spending 14 hours a day” on the fake elector plan, but was not finding anyone willing to go along. “We need something from state legislatures to make this legitimate and to have any hope of winning. Even if they can’t convene, it might be enough if a majority of them are willing to sign a statement indicating how they would vote. And I’ve been working on doing that all day today,” Lee told Meadows. When Lee realized that Trump’s team was moving forward with the plan to have members of Congress object to electoral results without competing electors, Lee warned Mitchell that it could lead to unforeseen circumstances. “Will you please explain to me how this doesn’t create a slippery slope problem for all future presidential elections?” Lee texted. Lee’s story about his involvement in the plot to overturn the 2020 election has shifted several times. When the text messages between Lee and Meadows first leaked, I attempted to ask him about them at a Republican party event in Summit County. Lee refused to answer, and his aides blocked me as he ran and made his getaway. You can see the video below. 0:00 /0:28 1× A few days later, Lee claimed in [an interview with the Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/2022/4/20/23034383/what-mike-lee-says-about-text-messages-donald-trump-2020-election-mark-meadows-fraud/?ref=utahpolitics.news) that, despite the text messages with Meadows, he was not doing the bidding of the White House. Instead, he claimed the text messages were being used out of context for “political motives.” A few days later at the GOP State Convention, Lee changed his story, saying that he was [merely urging the White House to pursue every avenue available](https://web.archive.org/web/20230227013608/https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2022/04/25/what-utah-sen-mike-lee/) to challenge the election results. “I knew what a disaster Joe Biden would be,” Lee said. “I encouraged the Trump campaign, and the president himself, to acknowledge that he’d accept whatever the outcome of the Electoral College was.” During an October 2022 debate against independent Senate candidate Evan McMullin, Lee denied he “supported or ever did support a fake electors plot,” and said allegations he was involved was a “reckless disregard for the truth.” Five years later, the texts and the January 6 Committee record flatly contradict that. ### Should Spencer Cox run for President? URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/should-spencer-cox-run-for-president/ Last updated: 2026-01-08T15:43:55.000Z Politico's Jonathan Martin [recently wrote a column](https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/12/14/spencer-cox-2028-tech-skeptic-00689953?ref=utahpolitics.news) suggesting Utah Gov. Spencer Cox should run for president in 2028. But Martin isn't making the argument you think he is. In the latest episode of "Special Session," Martin lays out why Cox should mount a single-issue presidential campaign focused on tech regulation and AI—not to win the White House, but to force a critical conversation that both parties are avoiding. The case is more compelling than you might expect. Martin points to overwhelming polling showing bipartisan voter support for tech regulation, the wave of state-level reforms including phone bans in schools, and Cox's genuine passion for the issue bordering on what Martin calls "radicalization." But this isn't about Cox being the nice Mormon Republican who Democrats love. Martin argues Cox should embrace his "dark side"—the fired-up governor willing to take on Silicon Valley in ways that would make traditional politicians uncomfortable. Martin envisions Cox potentially partnering with Democrats like Rahm Emanuel, similar to how John McCain and Bill Bradley teamed up on campaign finance reform in 2000\. He also reveals some intriguing details about Cox's political positioning, including plans for a "digital sin tax" that Utah is quietly developing. The timing is fascinating: Cox recently disclosed a book deal, the Washington Post floated him as a potential non-MAGA Republican candidate, and he's been posting campaign-style videos attacking tech companies. Martin insists his column was entirely organic and not pitched by Cox's team. Whether or not Cox actually runs, this conversation explores what might be the defining issue of 2028 and why the gulf between voter sentiment and political reality on tech regulation is wider than almost any other issue in American politics. Listen to the latest episode [at this link](https://special-session.transistor.fm/s1/52?ref=utahpolitics.news). ### Utah 2026 midterms: Five big takeaways from the first candidate filing day URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-2026-midterms-five-big-takeaways-from-the-first-candidate-filing-day/ Last updated: 2026-01-07T15:19:47.000Z Utah’s 2026 midterm filing window opened Friday and unleashed a flood of candidates for 75 Utah House seats and 15 Utah Senate seats on the November ballot. And yes, there were surprises—starting at the top. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****4 days -** Last day candidates (except congressional candidates) can file for the 2026 election. (1/9/2026) ****15 days** \- Start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) ****63 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****71 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****96 days** \- Utah Forward Party nominating convention (4/11/2026) ****110 days** \- Utah State Republican and Democratic State Party nominating conventions (4/25/2026) ****169 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****302 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****1,037 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Horse paste no more: Utah bill would let pharmacists hand out ivermectin URL: https://utahpolitics.news/horse-paste-no-more-utah-bill-would-let-pharmacists-hand-out-ivermectin/ Last updated: 2026-01-06T22:53:56.000Z Just when you thought that Utah lawmakers had moved on from pandemic-era conspiracies, Rep. Trevor Lee has filed a bill to put ivermectin behind the counter, allowing pharmacists to dispense it without a prescription. The anti-parasitic drug, best known for treating river blindness in developing countries and deworming horses in rural America, would be available to any adult who fills out a questionnaire and promises they understand the risks. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****3 days -** First day candidates (except congressional candidates) can file for the 2026 election. (1/2/2026) ****21 days** \- Start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) ****69 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****77 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****116 days** \- Utah Democratic Party's state nominating convention (4/25/2026) ****175 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****298 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****1,043 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Utah lawmaker wants to loosen rules for carrying guns on college campuses URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-lawmaker-wants-to-loosen-rules-for-carrying-guns-on-college-campuses/ Last updated: 2026-01-06T22:54:02.000Z Earlier this year, Utah lawmakers loosened gun rules on Utah college campuses. Now a GOP lawmaker wants to remove some of the last remaining restrictions during the upcoming 2026 session. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****4 days -** First day candidates (except congressional candidates) can file for the 2026 election. (1/2/2026) ****22 days** \- Start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) ****70 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****78 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****117 days** \- Utah Democratic Party's state nominating convention (4/25/2026) ****176 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****299 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****1,044 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) Utah already has some of the [most permissive gun laws in the country](https://everytownresearch.org/rankings/state/utah/?ref=utahpolitics.news). In 2025, [lawmakers passed legislation](https://le.utah.gov/~2025/bills/static/HB0128.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) allowing anyone 18 and older to carry on campus with a concealed‑carry permit. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Judge scolds Utah Legislature for legal gamesmanship in redistricting case, grants appeal anyway URL: https://utahpolitics.news/judge-scolds-utah-legislature-for-legal-gamesmanship-in-redistricting-case-grants-appeal-anyway/ Last updated: 2026-01-05T15:31:14.000Z In an unusually pointed ruling issued late Friday, Third District Judge Dianna Gibson gave Republican lawmakers what they wanted—a fast track to appeal her redistricting decisions—but not before scolding them for deliberately bypassing the proper legal channels available months ago. "With election deadlines imminent, the Legislative Defendants repeatedly stated they intended to appeal but then intentionally elected not to utilize the more appropriate appellate tools available to them," Gibson wrote in her 10-page order. Gibson granted certification of her August 25 ruling that struck down the legislature's repeal of voter-approved Proposition 4 and permanently blocked the 2021 congressional map. The decision allows lawmakers to immediately appeal to the Utah Supreme Court—something they could have done months ago without needing the judge's permission. Proposition 4, passed by voters in 2018, established independent redistricting criteria and banned partisan gerrymandering. The Republican-controlled legislature repealed it in 2020, drawing a congressional map that split Salt Lake County four ways, intentionally diluting Democratic voting power. ### Missed opportunities Gibson noted the irony in a footnote: lawmakers filed their motion 29 days after her November 10 ruling—still within the 30-day window to appeal directly to the Utah Supreme Court. They also had 21 days to petition for an interlocutory appeal after both her August 25 and November 10 rulings. Legislative attorneys [claimed they couldn't appeal](https://utahpolitics.news/legislature-to-judge-finalize-gerrymandering-rulings-so-we-can-appeal/) because the court needed to issue a final judgment first. But Gibson pointed out they had two faster paths that didn't require court permission at all—and chose neither. When the legislature's legal team explained that appealing earlier "would have resulted in the parties simultaneously briefing likelihood of success review in the appellate courts while conducting remedial proceedings before this Court, thereby unnecessarily complicating the proceedings and wasting judicial and party resources," Gibson wasn't buying it. "In other words, it would have been a lot of work in both courts," she wrote. "While that may be true, this statement reveals that the Legislative Defendants were aware of these avenues to an immediate appeal but chose not to use them." ### What Gibson's decision does (and doesn't) do Lawyers for the legislature [argued the case was effectively over](https://utahpolitics.news/judge-signals-trouble-for-legislatures-redistricting-appeal/) since Gibson had already granted the relief plaintiffs requested, asking her to declare the entire case finished. Gibson refused. More than 20 claims remain unresolved in the litigation, including new challenges added in November challenging the legislature's remedial map. She reluctantly agreed to certify specific portions of her August ruling as final: that lawmakers unconstitutionally repealed Proposition 4, that the 2021 congressional map is permanently blocked, and that Prop 4 is the law in Utah. "Quite literally – this Court is between the proverbial rock and a hard spot," Gibson wrote. "This entire case is not 'final.' Count V is not final. But the Court agrees that the important legal issues decided by this Court... should be reviewed by the Utah Supreme Court as quickly as possible." Despite her criticism of the legislature's tactics, Gibson explained why immediate Supreme Court review serves the public interest. "Until there is a final decision on these legal issues from our Supreme Court, there will be a cloud on Utah's congressional elections and an open question regarding the power of the Legislature and the power of the people," she wrote. "These legal questions should be put to rest as soon as possible," Gibson wrote. "There is no just reason to delay the Utah Supreme Court's review... There is no reason to delay bringing some finality on these important issues to the people of Utah." In her conclusion, Gibson did not mince words about the legislature's approach. "This was not an easy call. The Legislative Defendants had a direct, non-discretionary right to immediately and directly appeal to the Utah Supreme Court... They chose not to appeal. No legitimate reason was offered for failing to appeal. Now, they seek a third imperfect avenue requesting the Court certify its August 25, 2025 Ruling and Order as final, to allow them to appeal under Utah law." She added a pointed note to the Utah Supreme Court, essentially saying she did her best under unusual circumstances: "The Court leaves it to the Utah Supreme Court to determine if, as a matter of law, this suffices to establish appellate jurisdiction." ### What happens next Gibson ordered the legislature to draft a formal final judgment consistent with her ruling. Once filed, lawmakers can appeal to the Utah Supreme Court. That appeal will determine not only the fate of Utah's congressional map but also whether voter ballot initiatives can survive legislative opposition. In the meantime, the map currently in effect is one proposed by plaintiffs that creates a Democratic-leaning district in Salt Lake County. Gibson ordered that map used in November after finding that the legislature's remedial map—passed during an October special session—still violated Proposition 4's anti-gerrymandering criteria. It remains unclear how lawmakers plan to respond to Gibson's latest ruling beyond appealing to the Supreme Court. ### 'Twas the year in Utah politics URL: https://utahpolitics.news/twas-the-year-in-utah-politics/ Last updated: 2026-01-05T15:31:21.000Z ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****9 days -** First day candidates (except congressional candidates) can file for the 2026 election. (1/2/2026) ****27 days** \- Start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) ****75 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****83 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****122 days** \- Utah Democratic Party's state nominating convention (4/25/2026) ****181 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****314 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****1,049 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) Twas the year in Utah politics, and all through the state, Public officials were busy deciding our fate. The governor warned of social media's curse, How it's making our politics bitter and worse. [With a book deal](https://utahpolitics.news/does-utah-gov-spencer-cox-have-a-book-deal-in-the-works/) secured and [whispers of '28](https://utahpolitics.news/another-spencer-cox-for-president-trial-balloon/), Some wonder if Spencer has his eyes on a presidential fate. And speaking of Cox, when the drought got severe, He called for prayer and fasting throughout the year. Why regulate lawns or restrict water rights? Just pray for some rain—that should fix our plight! No need for hard choices or conservation plans, No limits on golf courses or development stands. Just bow your heads low and hope God complies, While the Great Salt Lake continues to dry. When out on the floor there arose such a clatter, HB267 passed—unions said, "This matters!" [They gathered their signatures](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-anti-union-law-put-on-hold-as-referendum-exceeds-signature-requirements/), ready to fight, [Till lawmakers retreated](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-republicans-retreat-on-anti-union-law-to-dodge-a-2026-ballot-backlash/) in December's cold night. The legislature [embraced MAHA with pride](https://utahpolitics.news/landmark-health-report-backed-by-utah-leaders-cites-nonexistent-research/), [Banning fluoride in water](https://utahpolitics.news/poll-only-20-of-utah-voters-support-fluoride-ban-but-lawmakers-passed-it-anyway/), science cast aside. RFK Jr. would be proud of this choice, As dental health experts lost their voice. Meanwhile, Trevor Lee continued his culture war crusade Banning Pride flags wherever they're displayed. In classrooms and buildings, no rainbows allowed, The ban was for "neutrality" (or so he avowed). Salt Lake City found a loophole with glee, Made Pride, Trans, and Juneteenth flags official, you see! Gov. Cox [called the fight "dumb,"](https://utahpolitics.news/the-whole-things-dumb-utah-gov-cox-blasts-pride-flag-battle-with-salt-lake-city/) said it cast a cloud There are more important things to worry about, for crying out loud. And Sundance Film Festival? They're leaving for good, After 2026, they're gone from the neighborhood. Years of anti-LGBTQ+ laws took their toll, The Pride flag ban? That was the final roll. Forty years in Park City, now heading away, Utah's culture wars drove Sundance astray. But the biggest battle of all? The maps, let me say, Where courts and the legislature clashed all the way. In August, the legislature's gerrymandering began to unravel After Judge Gibson struck down the maps with her gavel, "Draw new lines," said the judge, "and this time make them fair!" So lawmakers drew "Option C" with partisan care. They submitted their map with confidence and pride, But the court saw through what they tried to hide. "You used partisan data!" the ruling came down, The legislature's new map? Rejected, struck down. Gibson instead chose the plaintiffs' design, A D+14 district—Democrats aligned! Salt Lake County united, a true blue seat, And Republicans threatened impeachment in defeat! A Democratic seat, such a rare thing A legion of candidates jumped into the ring Riebe, McAdams, and Blouin quickly jumped into the fray While Kitchen, and Lopez Chavez, and others joined the electoral speedway. But Republicans weren't finished, oh no, not quite yet, They launched their own signature drive, their biggest bet: Repeal Proposition 4, an effort to remove Utah's anti-gerrymandering law that voters previously approved. So the maps remain tangled in appeals and in court, While candidates campaign and make their retort. Will the D+14 district stand come '26? Or will Utah Republicans have one more trick to fix? Now, let's talk about Utah's congressional crew, Oh my, what a year of shenanigans they flew! Senator Lee was quite busy online, Shitposting away, crossing every line. He mocked murdered Democrats—then had to delete, After days of outrage, made his retreat. He fell for fake news (the Fed chair's resignation!), Proposed selling public lands across the nation. Backed down from that too when Utahns got mad, Then pivoted to NATO—said membership's bad! "Make Elon the Speaker!" Mike Lee declared, "Or maybe Vivek!"—as if anyone cared. And non-citizens voting? He claimed without proof, Using that fiction to change election truth. MMeanwhile,Burgess Owens, bankrupt five times through, Told struggling students: "Get a second job, too!" The irony lost on our congressman dear, Who lectures on finances while his own weren't clear. Senator John Curtis channeled parents scolding their kids, Defending Trump's chaos, whatever he did. "The American people said 'stop the car!'" (Though apparently chaos is how you go far.) Campaign finance violations, ethics complaints galore, Backroom deals and influence by the score. But this poem's already running quite long, And honestly? Keeping track is exhausting—I'm not that strong. Merry Christmas to all Utah politicos tonight, For all our sakes, may your decisions in 2026 shine bright! 🎄 ### Judge signals trouble for Legislature's redistricting appeal URL: https://utahpolitics.news/judge-signals-trouble-for-legislatures-redistricting-appeal/ Last updated: 2026-01-05T15:31:27.000Z ****On the house!** We're making this one available to all readers. If you find it valuable, consider becoming a paid subscriber—your support is what keeps this kind of journalism going. [Subscribe ](#/portal/signup) "What if I told you I disagree?" Third District Judge Dianna Gibson asked, flatly rejecting a key argument from Utah legislative attorneys Monday—and signaling deep trouble for lawmakers' efforts to appeal her redistricting rulings. ****⏰ Tick Tock** ****10 days -** First day candidates (except congressional candidates) can file for the 2026 election. (1/2/2026) ****28 days** \- Start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) ****76 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) ****84 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) ****123 days** \- Utah Democratic Party's state nominating convention (4/25/2026) ****182 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) ****315 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ****1,050 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) In a nearly two-hour hearing held on short notice, Gibson grilled legislative attorney Frank Chang about a pair of motions [seeking to finalize her rulings](https://utahpolitics.news/legislature-to-judge-finalize-gerrymandering-rulings-so-we-can-appeal/) in the case, which the legislature says would [create an immediate path for appeal](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-lawmakers-try-to-michael-scott-their-way-out-of-gerrymandering-mess/)—despite ongoing litigation over newer claims involving recent actions taken by lawmakers. At stake: whether the case goes immediately to the Utah Supreme Court or continues in district court through months more litigation over the legislature's subsequent actions—including SB 1011, which plaintiffs say was another attempt to undermine Prop. 4\. The timing could determine whether any appellate ruling affects the 2026 congressional election. The legislature wants to appeal Gibson’s August 2025 ruling that lawmakers unconstitutionally repealed Prop. 4, the anti-gerrymandering ballot initiative approved by voters in 2018\. Gibson also tossed the congressional map approved by the GOP-controlled legislature in 2021\. Legislative attorneys say they can’t start that appeal until Gibson enters a final judgment—either on the entire case or on the parts that invalidated the 2021 map and her November decision selecting the plaintiffs’ remedial map for the 2026 election. Rule 54(b) allows a judge to certify that a specific legal claim is final and ready for appeal, even while other claims in the same lawsuit continue. But there's a catch: courts can only certify complete "claims"—not individual issues or rulings within a claim. Gibson said the legislature is asking her to certify just the August ruling, which addresses only part of what plaintiffs requested in count five. Count five is the claim that SB 200—which repealed Prop. 4 and imposed legislative standards on the independent redistricting commission—violated the Utah Constitution. It's the heart of the case. In one of the sharpest exchanges, Chang insisted that Gibson’s August order was final because the plaintiffs were given the relief they sought. The 2021 congressional map was permanently blocked from use in any future elections, and SB200, which repealed Prop. 4, was invalid. He also pointed out that the court selected the plaintiffs’ map for the 2026 election. “For all intents and purposes, we think that the court’s order is permanent and has resolved those issues,” Chang said. Judge Gibson wasn’t convinced, saying that those rulings were preliminary, not permanent. “What If I told you I disagree?” Gibson said. “That injunction exists until we get to the end of the case…and who knows when that may or may not be. So again, I disagree with that. So convince me that this is in effect a permanent order and that there’s actually case law that says by granting a preliminary injunction, the case is over.” That was a pivotal moment. If the injunctions are preliminary, not permanent, there’s still litigation pending—and no 54(b) appeal. That clearly caught Chang flat-footed. “If you disagree with me on that, on the characterization of the order, that obviously puts me in a tough spot,” Chang replied. The distinction matters because preliminary injunctions are temporary orders that exist during ongoing litigation. If Gibson's November order is just preliminary—not permanent—then Count Five isn't finished, there's still work to be done, and nothing is final enough for a 54(b) appeal. Gibson also pressed Chang on why the legislature [didn’t use other appellate tools it had available](https://utahpolitics.news/you-snooze-you-lose-did-utah-lawmakers-miss-their-chance-to-appeal-the-gerrymandering-ruling/). Chang’s answer was notably cautious. “Your Honor, so I want to be careful here, you know, without getting into any privileged information. I can’t tell you more than what we put in our papers,” Chang answered. Gibson shot back, “Well, you really didn’t address it in the papers, that’s why I’m asking. There’s really no discussion about why these other appellate tools were not used.” The implication was clear: The legislature chose to fight Gibson's ruling by passing a replacement map (Map C) instead of immediately appealing. Only after Gibson rejected that map too did lawmakers decide they needed to appeal—but by then, they'd missed the window for cleaner appellate routes. Chang then explained that lawmakers thought they didn’t have enough time to pursue an appeal on the November order before congressional candidates started filing to run in the 2026 election. In December, lawmakers approved changes to the 2026 calendar, pushing the filing deadline for congressional candidates from Jan. 9 to March 13. “There was some change in calculus once the governor called a special session in early December. And the legislature was able to convene and push back the election deadlines then. And now we have some time for appeal,” Chang said. ### A hidden motive? Plaintiffs' attorney Mark Garber raised a provocative question: Is the legislature really seeking an appeal—or manufacturing a procedural path to pass yet another map? Garber cited recent comments by Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Woods Cross, [on his podcast](https://utahpoliticalasheck.fireside.fm/?ref=utahpolitics.news) suggesting lawmakers might pass a new map if Gibson entered a "permanent" injunction. With the legislative session starting in January and candidate filing not until March, lawmakers would have ample time. "I guess that is sort of a question mark that I have in light of some of the statements, the public statements that have been made by certain legislators. Senator Weiler on his podcast indicated that the legislature perhaps could pass a new map for the 2026 election if a permanent injunction had been entered,” Garber said. Lawmakers would certainly have ample opportunity to take that path during the upcoming 2026 legislative session, and approve a new map before the filing window opens in March. "So it's not entirely clear to me whether this is entirely about an appeal or if this is also about trying to get around the court's ordering of map one for the 2026 election,” Garber added. When Gibson asked Chang about that possibility, he pushed back. "I have not heard this podcast interview that Mr. Gaber just mentioned. But setting that aside, you know, I don't think you can impute what one member said in a podcast to the entire body,” Chang said. “"I can tell you that sitting here today... it's the legislature's wish to appeal this court's decisions here and get a ruling from the Utah Supreme Court or the U.S. Supreme Court. And that's what we want to do." Reading the tea leaves from Gibson’s questions, the hearing strongly suggested trouble for the legislature’s efforts. Gibson repeatedly told Chang that she couldn’t find case law to support his position and did not seem satisfied with Chang’s explanations. Gibson promised a ruling before Christmas—giving Chang just days to find the legal authority she says doesn't exist. "If there's something out there in Utah law that would support the position that the court can certify that ruling... I would love to see it," she said. Her tone suggested she wasn't optimistic. ### Derek Kitchen makes his case for Congress URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/derek-kitchen-makes-his-case-for-congress/ Last updated: 2025-12-29T14:54:57.000Z Former Utah State Senator Derek Kitchen joined the "Special Session" podcast to discuss his campaign for Utah's Congressional District 1—a seat that might not even exist by the time filing opens in March. Kitchen just finished nearly two years in Washington working for the Biden administration. Now he's back in Utah making the argument that Salt Lake City has been systematically shut out of meaningful representation in Congress through gerrymandering. "We do not share the same values" as the current congressional delegation, Kitchen said, making a direct pitch that Salt Lake County needs someone who won't "waffle or waver" on issues like reproductive health and workers' rights. But there's a catch: Republicans are actively trying to overturn the maps through the courts while Kitchen and other candidates try to build campaigns. The legislature just pushed filing deadlines back to March, hoping their appeals will succeed in reinstating maps that crack Salt Lake County into multiple districts. Kitchen says he's running no matter what the legislature does. "We cannot sit around and wait for them to tinker with our democracy." Listen to the [full episode at this link](https://special-session.transistor.fm/s1/51?ref=utahpolitics.news). ### Legislature to judge: Finalize gerrymandering rulings so we can appeal URL: https://utahpolitics.news/legislature-to-judge-finalize-gerrymandering-rulings-so-we-can-appeal/ Last updated: 2025-12-27T02:28:01.000Z ****On the house!** We're making this one available to all readers. If you find it valuable, consider becoming a paid subscriber—your support is what keeps this kind of journalism going. [Subscribe ](#/portal/signup) ## ⏰ Tick Tock **11 days -** First day candidates (except congressional candidates) can file for the 2026 election. (1/2/2026) **29 days** \- Start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) **77 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) **85 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) **124 days** \- Utah Democratic Party's state nominating convention (4/25/2026) **183 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) **316 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) **1,051 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) --- ## 🎯 Monday's lead Utah’s redistricting brawl is down to the clock and the calendar: the Legislature wants a fast path to appeal Judge Dianna Gibson’s decision throwing out its congressional map, and the plaintiffs say that window has already closed. Lawmakers are pressing Third District Judge Dianna Gibson to finalize two key rulings—her August order invalidating the 2021 map and her November decision choosing the plaintiffs’ remedial map—arguing they need a formal, final judgment to take the fight to the Utah Supreme Court (and possibly the U.S. Supreme Court). Plaintiffs counter that the Legislature blew the 30-day window for a Rule 54(b) appeal, and they’re now pressuring Gibson to issue a final ruling so they can get another bite at the apple. [They also point out ](https://utahpolitics.news/you-snooze-you-lose-did-utah-lawmakers-miss-their-chance-to-appeal-the-gerrymandering-ruling/)a new state law lets government entities immediately appeal when a judge blocks a law on constitutional grounds—exactly what Gibson did. The Legislature didn’t use it. The Legislature says plaintiffs are slow-walking the case to box out any chance at an appeal. In a filing late last week, legislative attorneys argued they couldn’t appeal the August order while the remedial process was still underway, and that Gibson’s November selection of the plaintiffs’ map landed too close to the candidate filing window to make an appeal practical. They’ve since moved the filing deadline for congressional candidates to March, which they say makes an appeal viable. > “Any further appellate review would have been illusory and impractical because November 10 was the Lieutenant Governor’s deadline under then-existing election deadlines to have a map in place to ensure the orderly administration of the 2026 congressional election.” Translation: They say they moved as fast as they could, and there are still big constitutional questions on the table. > “Time is of the essence…there is no just reason for delay.” Gibson is expected to rule on the legislature's request in the coming days. If she says no, the path for an appeal gets steeper—with only 11 weeks until the new candidate filing deadline. ### Mike Lee shares video from antisemitic podcaster who blamed Israel for Charlie Kirk shooting URL: https://utahpolitics.news/mike-lee-shares-video-from-antisemitic-podcaster-who-blamed-israel-for-charlie-kirk-shooting/ Last updated: 2025-12-24T15:29:49.000Z ****On the house!** We're making this one available to all readers. If you find it valuable, consider becoming a paid subscriber—your support is what keeps this kind of journalism going. [Subscribe ](#/portal/signup) ## ⏰ Tick Tock **14 days -** First day candidates (except Congressional candidates) can file for the 2026 election. (1/2/2026) **32 days** \- Start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) **80 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) **88 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) **127 days** \- Utah Democratic Party's state nominating convention (4/25/2026) **186 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) **319 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) **1,054 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) --- ### Mike Lee signal-boosts antisemitic conspiracy theorist Utah Sen. Mike Lee amplified a Pizzagate promoter with a record of antisemitic conspiracy theories—reposting a video from far‑right podcaster Ian Carroll on Thursday night. Lee shared a video from Ian Carroll, a far‑right podcaster who hosts the Ian Carroll Show on YouTube and has more than 1 million followers on X. Carroll drew mainstream attention after an [appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast](https://www.mediaite.com/media/tv/joe-rogan-argues-establishment-used-pizzagate-shooting-to-distract-from-bananas-podesta-emails-turn-it-into-a-kook-thing/?ref=utahpolitics.news) in March 2025. In the nine‑minute clip, Carroll revisits Pizzagate—the debunked claim that top Democrats ran a child‑trafficking ring out of the basement of D.C.’s Comet Ping Pong. Police and reporters found no evidence; the restaurant doesn’t even have a basement. Carroll dismisses debunks as coming from “liberal‑leaning” outlets. > What comes to mind first when you hear that mainstream-news media sources have “debunked” a particular “conspiracy theory”? > > I don’t know this guy, but he asks some legitimate questions > > Watch the video and see for yourself [https://t.co/nKVoEeyW4p](https://t.co/nKVoEeyW4p?ref=utahpolitics.news) > > — Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) [December 19, 2025](https://twitter.com/BasedMikeLee/status/2001872391056822349?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) I don’t know this guy, but he asks some legitimate questions,” Lee wrote—not exactly the due diligence you expect from a U.S. Senator. Carroll’s feed doesn’t stop at Pizzagate. Less than 24 hours after conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk was shot and killed at Utah Valley University, Carroll blamed Israel for the shooting. That post received more than 10 million views and about 100,000 likes, [according to the ADL](https://web.archive.org/web/20250914153254/https://www.adl.org/resources/article/antisemitic-and-anti-israel-conspiracy-theories-follow-fatal-shooting-charlie). > Yesterday was a turning point for Israel US relations. > > Les than 24 hours and the internet already figured out who the most likely culprit was. > > He was their friend. He basically dedicated his life to them. And they murdered him in front of his family. > > Israel just shot… > > — Ian Carroll (@IanCarrollShow) [September 11, 2025](https://twitter.com/IanCarrollShow/status/1966096255064461612?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) He’s also pushed that Israel was responsible for the 9/11 terrorist attacks and made [claims about “Zionist control”](https://x.com/IanCarrollShow/status/1816185941171789954?ref=utahpolitics.news) of the U.S. government. During his appearance on Rogan’s podcast, Carroll said convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein was an “employee” of “organized crime rings” working on behalf of the CIA, the Mossad and British Intelligence.” In July, [Lee floated a similar idea](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-sen-mike-lee-floats-new-theory-about-jeffrey-epstein-he-was-a-government-asset/), suggesting Epstein might have been a government “asset.” While Carroll does not deny the Holocaust, he minimizes it. He’s posted that the Holocaust “[has certainly been milked for all its worth](https://x.com/IanCarrollShow/status/1756854545295257982?ref=utahpolitics.news) by modern Zionist interests” and that “[Israel certainly did their best](https://x.com/IanCarrollShow/status/1764524109709631651?ref=utahpolitics.news) to embellish and inflame the history books” ever since. That’s who Mike Lee chose to platform. ### Rep. Mike Kennedy, architect of Utah's transgender care ban, votes against federal crackdown URL: https://utahpolitics.news/rep-mike-kennedy-architect-of-utahs-transgender-care-ban-votes-against-nationwide-cra/ Last updated: 2025-12-23T15:10:57.000Z Utah Republican Rep. Mike Kennedy—architect of Utah’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors—broke with most of his party on Wednesday, voting against Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s bill that would expand the crackdown on such care nationwide. On Wednesday, Kennedy opposed [H.R. 3492](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3492?ref=utahpolitics.news), Greene’s “Protect Children’s Innocence Act,” which would criminalize gender-affirming medical care for anyone under 18—including surgeries and the prescribing of puberty blockers and hormones. Providers could face fines and up to 10 years in federal prison; in some cases, parents and others who facilitate care could face criminal liability. He was one of four Republicans who voted against the measure. Kennedy did not respond to a request for comment but posted a statement on his official congressional social media. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DSY4J4DDSMX/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Congressman Mike Kennedy, M.D. (@repmikekennedy)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DSY4J4DDSMX/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) “I voted against H.R. 3492 because it expands federal powers in a way that will invite constitutional challenges and leave loopholes that will be exploited,” Kennedy’s statement read. “I am opposed to the evil practice of transgender child mutilation and am committed to finding a solution, as I did in the State of Utah, to protect America’s children.” In 2023, Kennedy sponsored SB16 in Utah, banning gender-affirming surgeries for transgender youth and placing a moratorium on hormone therapy for minors. And on Thursday, he voted for [H.R. 498](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/498?ref=utahpolitics.news), which would prohibit Medicaid funding for certain gender-transition care for minors—reinforcing his preference for restricting access via funding rather than a new federal criminal regime. ### Utah lawmakers try to 'Michael Scott' their way out of gerrymandering mess URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-lawmakers-try-to-michael-scott-their-way-out-of-gerrymandering-mess/ Last updated: 2025-12-23T00:00:11.000Z ## ⏰ Tick Tock **15 days -** First day candidates (except Congressional candidates) can file for the 2026 election. (1/2/2026) **33 days** \- Start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) **81 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) **89 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) **128 days** \- Utah Democratic Party's state nominating convention (4/25/2026) **187 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) **320 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) **1,055 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) --- ****On the house!** We're making this one available to all readers. If you find it valuable, consider becoming a paid subscriber—your support is what keeps this kind of journalism going. [Subscribe ](#/portal/signup) ### Utah legislature missed its own appeal deadline-now wants a mulligan before 2026 Like Michael Scott shouting “I declare bankruptcy!” Utah’s GOP lawmakers seem to think you can appeal by vibes alone. The redistricting plaintiffs say the legislature blew its own 30‑day fast‑track appeal and is now begging the court for a do‑over before the 2026 midterms. In a Wednesday court filing, plaintiffs argued the legislature had a clear 30-day path to appeal Third District Judge Dianna Gibson’s August 2025 order striking down the 2021 congressional map and SB200, which repealed the voter-approved anti-gerrymandering ballot initiative—and chose not to take it. > “Legislative Defendants had the right to appeal both the Court’s August 2025 order and its subsequent November 10 order—and either missed the deadline or intentionally chose not to appeal. Having sat on their appellate rights, they now demand the expeditious entry of final judgment with lightning speed briefing and decision. Lawmakers counter that plaintiffs are stalling to block an appeal to the Utah Supreme Court—and maybe the U.S. Supreme Court—before the 2026 midterms. They’re urging Gibson to enter a final judgment on everything, or certify parts of it so they can start the appeals process. Under Rule 54(b), a judge can certify a ruling on fewer than all claims for appeal while the rest of the case keeps moving. Here’s the twist: they changed the law this year to allow immediate appeals when a judge enjoins a state law on constitutional grounds. Sen. Brady Brammer’s [SB204](https://le.utah.gov/~2025/bills/static/SB0204.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) created that fast lane—now [Utah Code § 78B‑5‑1002](https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title78B/Chapter5/78B-5-S1002.html?v=C78B-5-S1002%5F2025050720250507&ref=utahpolitics.news)—largely in response to courts pausing the state’s near‑total abortion ban after Roe fell. They just didn’t use it here. Even the Utah Supreme Court sounded baffled. [In a Sept. 15 decision](https://legacy.utcourts.gov/opinions/supopin/Utah%20State%20Legislature%20v.%20League%20of%20Women20250915.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news)—inside the original 30‑day window—the justices wrote, “We are unsure why Legislative Defendants doubt that an appeal under section 78B‑5‑1002 would not provide them with a ‘speedy’ or ‘adequate’ remedy… to the extent Legislative Defendants intended to seek review of the district court’s injunctive orders, they could have invoked section 78B‑5‑1002 and pursued a direct appeal.” Plaintiffs argue when Gibson invalidated the 2021 congressional map and found SB200’s repeal of Prop 4—Utah’s voter‑approved anti‑gerrymandering law—unconstitutional. That opened a 30‑day appeal window the legislature didn’t use. Now, plaintiffs say, lawmakers are trying to manufacture a second bite at the apple. > “Legislative Defendants accuse Plaintiffs of seeking ‘to delay the proceedings and prejudice Legislative Defendants’ ability to appeal this Court’s decisions to the Utah Supreme Court and to possibly seek U.S. Supreme Court review before the 2026 election.’ To make that assertion *108 days* after this Court’s August 2025 order and *66 days* after their deadline to appeal the August 2025 order as a matter of right—during which time Legislative Defendants sat on their hands and did nothing to effectuate appeal—is audacious in the extreme. The only party that has delayed is Legislative Defendants. They missed an appellate deadline *they created*.” Put simply, lawmakers had 30 days to file an interlocutory appeal. They didn’t. Now they have to wait for a true final decision—which explains the sudden rush to get Gibson to certify one. Even if Gibson granted a partial final judgment on the August rulings, plaintiffs argue the Utah Supreme Court still couldn’t take up the appeal because major issues remain: the legislature’s “Option C” replacement map, which they say violates Prop 4, and SB1011, the new “fairness” criteria they contend runs afoul of the Utah Constitution. Miss the first window, and you wait until the rest of the case is resolved. Even if Gibson were to agree with the legislature and render a final judgment on this specific part of the lawsuit, plaintiffs point out that the Utah Supreme Court could not consider an appeal because of the other unresolved issues in the case. Plaintiffs have challenged the “Option C” replacement map approved by lawmakers because they claim it violates Prop. 4\. They’ve also challenged SB1011, which created specific criteria for judging whether a congressional map could be considered “fair,” alleging that it violates the Utah Constitution. Once the legislature missed the original 30-day window, any appeal must wait for those issues to play out in the court. The legislature has until Friday to file its response, after which Gibson says she will issue a ruling. ### Dan Bongino is on his way out as FBI No. 2 after less than a year. Sen. Mike Lee's hype isn't aging well URL: https://utahpolitics.news/dan-bongino-is-on-his-way-out-as-fbi-no-2-after-less-than-a-year-sen-mike-lees-hype-isnt-aging-well/ Last updated: 2025-12-23T00:00:19.000Z FBI deputy director Dan Bongino is expected to leave in the coming weeks after less than a year on the job. Utah Sen. Mike Lee, one of Bongino’s loudest boosters, now has little to say. [The New York Times reported this week](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/15/us/politics/kash-patel-fbi.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) that Bongino has been packing up his office and shipping personal items back to Florida, where he plans to resume his right‑wing media career. The looming departure follows reports that President Donald Trump wants a scapegoat for the Epstein-files debacle. [Rachel Bade writes in her Inner Circle Substack newsletter](https://rachaelbade.substack.com/p/scoop-inside-the-alleged-cabinet) that Bongino clashed with Attorney General Pam Bondi over the release of government documents related to the convicted sex trafficker, and even “refused to show up for work for a time.” [And a 115‑page report](https://utahpolitics.news/morning-memo-fbi-directors-wardrobe-malfunction-during-the-hunt-for-charlie-kirks-killer/) prepared for congressional committees on FBI Director Kash Patel and Bongino’s first six months at the bureau savaged Bongino—one longtime agent called him “something of a clown.” Lee’s ties to Bongino go back more than a decade. He endorsed the former U.S. Secret Service agent in Bongino’s 2012 Maryland U.S. Senate bid. Bongino lost to Democrat Ben Cardin by nearly 30 points. [Lee backed Bongino again in 2014](https://web.archive.org/web/20140317130258/https://conservativehq.com/article/16658-mike-lee-endorses-dan-bongino-md-6-congressional-race) when he ran for Maryland’s 6th Congressional District. Bongino narrowly lost that race by about 2,800 votes. In 2018, Bongino returned the favor, [signing a letter supporting Lee](https://web.archive.org/web/20230326031426/http://www.freedomworks.org/press/freedomworks-president-adam-brandon-signs-letter-conservative-leaders-supporting-senator/) as a potential Supreme Court nominee during Trump’s first term. When Bongino was named FBI Deputy Director in February, Lee could barely contain himself, posting on social media, “Let’s freaking go.” > .[@dbongino](https://twitter.com/dbongino?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) as Deputy FBI director > > Let’s freaking go!!! [https://t.co/MSxNsvgAF6](https://t.co/MSxNsvgAF6?ref=utahpolitics.news) > > — Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) [February 24, 2025](https://twitter.com/BasedMikeLee/status/1893843278547591608?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) [He followed up](https://x.com/BasedMikeLee/status/1893854933356630301?ref=utahpolitics.news): “I’ve known @dbongino for 14 years. I think the world of him—he has incredibly sound judgment, the highest standards of integrity, and a work ethic like few people I’ve ever met. I can’t think of a better man \[sic\] serve as @Kash‑Patel’s deputy at FBI.” A few days later, replying to Juanita Broaddrick’s “The FBI needs to be gutted and start all over,” Lee said, “I have great confidence that @Kash\_Patel and @dbongino will fix \[sic\]FBI. It needs fixing—quickly.” > I have great confidence that [@Kash\_Patel](https://twitter.com/Kash%5FPatel?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) and [@dbongino](https://twitter.com/dbongino?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) will fix FBI > > It needs fixing — quickly [https://t.co/kAzDvLui9G](https://t.co/kAzDvLui9G?ref=utahpolitics.news) > > — Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) [February 27, 2025](https://twitter.com/BasedMikeLee/status/1895257193882230860?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) Lee’s office did not respond to a request for comment about Bongino’s impending exit after roughly nine months on the job. ### Press Room recap: Gerrymandering drama, World Cup grifting, and War with Venezuela? URL: https://utahpolitics.news/press-room-recap-gerrymandering-drama-world-cup-grifting-and-war-with-venezuela/ Last updated: 2025-12-17T17:15:42.000Z We covered a lot of ground in last-night's subscriber-only livestream. If you missed it, here are some highlights: ### The Legislature's Gerrymandering Stalling Tactics The dueling filings in the redistricting case are absolutely wild. The plaintiffs basically called out the legislature for pretending they can't appeal Judge Gibson's ruling when they've actually had *two separate opportunities* to do so—including one created by a law they passed themselves earlier this year. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### You snooze, you lose: Did Utah lawmakers miss their chance to appeal the gerrymandering ruling? URL: https://utahpolitics.news/you-snooze-you-lose-did-utah-lawmakers-miss-their-chance-to-appeal-the-gerrymandering-ruling/ Last updated: 2025-12-23T00:00:27.000Z ## ⏰ Tick Tock **17 days -** First day candidates (except Congressional candidates) can file for the 2026 election. (1/2/2026) **35 days** \- Start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) **83 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) **91 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) **130 days** \- Utah Democratic Party's state nominating convention (4/25/2026) **189 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) **322 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) **1,057 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) --- ## 📰 Above the fold Utah’s congressional map fight has turned into a blame-a-thon. In dueling filings late last week, the Legislature and the plaintiffs accused each other of stalling—and the clock for a pre-2026 appeal is ticking. ****On the house!** We're making this one available to all readers. If you find it valuable, consider becoming a paid subscriber—your support is what keeps this kind of journalism going. [Subscribe ](#/portal/signup) The Legislature is pushing Third District Judge Dianna Gibson to enter a final judgment on the case, in which she tossed the congressional map approved by lawmakers in 2021, then rejected lawmakers’ remedial map because it does not comply with the state’s anti-gerrymandering law. She instead implemented the plaintiffs’ map, which creates a Democratic-leaning district centered on Salt Lake County. Now the Legislature wants a final judgment entered so it can sprint to the Utah Supreme Court—or even the U.S. Supreme Court. Plaintiffs say lawmakers could have appealed months ago and simply chose not to. On Friday, legislative attorneys urged Judge Gibson to enter final judgment immediately so they can file appeals. "The window for the Legislature to have its day in appellate court before the 2026 election is imminently closing. It is time for a final judgment and an appeal on the merits,” they wrote. “Only one possible explanation exists for why Plaintiffs continue to oppose entering a final judgment awarding all the relief they’ve sought: They want to delay.” On Sunday, plaintiffs countered that lawmakers had multiple clear opportunities to appeal—and blew past them. > “Nearly four months have gone by during which time Legislative Defendants could have filed an appeal and obtained a decision by the Utah Supreme Court. Rather than do so, they have blown by their appeal deadlines and loudly blamed everyone but themselves for their predicament.” Plaintiffs note a legislative change earlier this year that allows immediate appeals when a plaintiff wins an injunction on constitutional grounds. When the court enjoined the 2021 map in August—and amended the injunction in early September—lawmakers did nothing. > “At any time up until October 6—30 days after this court’s September 6 Amended Order—Legislative defendants could have filed a notice of appeal. The Utah Supreme Court made it clear it would expedite that appeal. *That appeal could have been briefed, argued and decided by now.*” They add that when Judge Gibson rejected the Legislature’s remedial map on November 10, lawmakers had another 21-day window to appeal—and let it lapse. > “Instead of simply filing a notice of appeal, various legislators appeared on television, radio and social media *saying* that they desperately wanted to appeal and claiming that this Court was somehow blocking them from doing so, while simultaneously *doing nothing* to advance such an appeal.” > “Filing a notice of appeal is not difficult, and Plaintiffs cannot imagine that Legislative Defendants, represented by sophisticated counsel in this case, were unaware of how to file one. Utah’s judiciary makes it simple, even providing a ‘Notice of Appeal’ form on its ‘How To’ website.” Plaintiffs even attached the form, helpfully circling the line for the date of the order. ""Legislative Defendants simply needed to fill out this form and file it by the deadline. That's it,” they wrote. ### Another Spencer Cox for president trial balloon? URL: https://utahpolitics.news/another-spencer-cox-for-president-trial-balloon/ Last updated: 2025-12-19T17:08:05.000Z ## ⏰ Tick Tock **18 days -** First day candidates (except Congressional candidates) can file for the 2026 election. (1/2/2026) **36 days** \- Start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) **84 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) **92 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) **131 days** \- Utah Democratic Party's state nominating convention (4/25/2026) **190 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) **323 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) **1,058 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) --- ## 📰 Above the fold Politico’s Jonathan Martin [just floated Utah Gov. Spencer Cox](https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/12/14/spencer-cox-2028-tech-skeptic-00689953?ref=utahpolitics.news) as a 2028 GOP contender — not for Cox’s “disagree better” shtick, but for his crusade against Big Tech. The pitch is simple: Cox the tech pessimist, not Cox the civility mascot. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### The Legislature plays Calvinball with redistricting rules URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/the-legislature-plays-calvinball-with-redistricting-rules/ Last updated: 2025-12-18T17:14:04.000Z The Utah Legislature called a special session this week to deal with the fallout from Judge Diana Gibson's redistricting ruling—and their solution was to change the rules of the game. If you haven't been following along: Gibson ruled last month that the legislature's 2021 congressional maps were unconstitutional because lawmakers illegally overturned Proposition 4, the voter-approved redistricting reform. She imposed new maps. The legislature, unsurprisingly, was not pleased. Their response in Tuesday's special session? Move the congressional filing deadline to buy time for appeals, change court rules so they can appeal immediately, and route any future election lawsuits directly to the state Supreme Court, bypassing lower courts entirely. They're playing Calvinball—changing the rules as they go. ## Why They Really Repealed the Union Busting Bill The special session also saw lawmakers repeal HB 267, the controversial bill that would have gutted public employee union organizing. But this wasn't a change of heart. Labor unions collected referendum signatures at a stunning pace, and lawmakers took notice. With two ballot measures they care about coming in 2026—a GOP-backed effort to repeal Prop 4 and a constitutional amendment giving the legislature power to override voter initiatives—they didn't want to give union organizers a reason to mobilize voters against them. The calculus was simple: remove the lightning rod now, rather than face an energized opposition at the polls next year. ## Listen to the Full Breakdown We cover all of this on the latest episode of **Special Session**—redistricting appeals, the union bill strategy, tax policy, and why the compressed congressional timeline benefits well-known candidates at the expense of newcomers. [Listen now at this link](https://special-session.transistor.fm/s1/50?ref=utahpolitics.news), or wherever you get your podcasts. ### Analysis: Utah Republicans retreat on anti-union law to dodge a 2026 ballot backlash URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-republicans-retreat-on-anti-union-law-to-dodge-a-2026-ballot-backlash/ Last updated: 2025-12-17T21:05:33.000Z Utah Republicans didn’t see the light; they saw the numbers. In Tuesday’s special session, lawmakers repealed HB267—branded by critics as a “union‑busting” law—to keep a potentially electorally damaging referendum off the 2026 ballot. HB267 stripped public‑sector unions of collective‑bargaining power on wages and benefits. The GOP muscled it through the 2025 session over loud labor opposition. A coalition of labor groups, dubbed Protect Utah Workers, launched a referendum, gathered hundreds of thousands of signatures in a few weeks, putting the law on ice until voters could weigh in. Tuesday’s repeal takes that vote off the table—and the issue off the 2026 ballot. Using [voter data from the firm L2](https://www.l2-data.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news), Utah Political Watch matched more than 200,000 petition signers to the statewide voter file. Another roughly 50,000 signers couldn’t be matched because their information isn’t public. Among the matched signers, 40% were registered as Republicans, nearly 30% were unaffiliated, and 24% were Democrats. That cross-partisan opposition helps explain why Legislative Republicans worried about backlash in 2026 if the referendum stayed on the ballot. To qualify, organizers needed signatures from 8% of registered voters in at least 15 of 29 Senate districts. Protect Utah Workers blew past that, [hitting the mark](https://vote.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/HB-267-Signature-Validity-by-District.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news) in 23 districts. Our breakdown of signatures by House district shows the biggest hauls in safe Democratic seats: - HD24 - Rep. Grant Miller - HD23 - Rep. Hoang Nguyen - HD22 - Rep. Jennifer Dailey-Provost - HD33 - Rep. Doug Owens - HD41 - Rep. John Arthur - HD32 - Rep. Saraha Hayes But the numbers also point to real exposure for a pair of vulnerable Republicans if the question stayed on the ballot. GOP Reps. Jill Koford and Clint Okerlund won their 2024 elections by single digits, and both districts ranked in the top 20 for signatures. Koford won by 309 votes—under 2%, the tightest House race in 2024\. Okerlund won by 2,254 votes, just over 9 points. Okerlund’s HD42 cracked the top 10 for Republican signers (4th), Democratic signers (9th) and unaffiliated signers (6th). Koford’s HD10 ranked 9th for unaffiliated signers and 13th for Democrats, but just 44th for Republicans. If voters were in the mood to punish Republicans next year over HB267, Democrats like Rep. Rosalba Dominguez could stand to gain. The freshman lawmaker won in 2024 by just 668 votes (3.92%), and HD35 landed in the top 15 House districts for signatures. On the other hand, other Republicans who had close calls in the 2024 election represent House seats that were near the bottom for signatures. - Rep. Matt MacPherson won by under 1,000 votes, but HD26 ranked 51st for signatures. - Rep. Jason Thompson won by just over 8%, and HD3 ranked 61st. In the Senate, five GOP seats landed in the top 10 for raw number of Republican signers. - SD21 - Sen. Brady Brammer - 2nd - SD23 - Sen. Keith Grover - 3rd - SD19 - Sen. Kirk Cullimore - 4th - SD18 - Sen. Dan McCay - 7th - SD7 - Sen. Stuart Adams - 9th. As the Senate sponsor of HB267, Cullimore could be even more vulnerable. His district also ranked 5th for unaffiliated signers and 6th for Democrats. All five are up for re-election in 2026. ### Post-Dobbs abortion rates are up-including in Utah URL: https://utahpolitics.news/post-dobbs-abortion-rates-are-up-including-in-utah/ Last updated: 2025-12-16T15:33:43.000Z ## ⏰ Tick Tock **22 days -** First day candidates (except Congressional candidates) can file for the 2026 election. (1/2/2026) **40 days** \- Start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) **88 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) **96 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) **135 days** \- Utah Democratic Party's state nominating convention (4/25/2026) **194 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) **327 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) **1,062 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) --- ## 📰 Above the fold Abortions are up in post-Roe America — nationally and in Utah. New data shows the procedure’s monthly tally rose each year after the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Utah earns an 'F' for its gun laws URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-earns-an-f-for-its-gun-laws/ Last updated: 2025-12-29T14:19:02.000Z ## ⏰ Tick Tock **23 days -** First day candidates (except Congressional candidates) can file for the 2026 election. (1/2/2026) **41 days** \- Start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) **89 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) **97 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) **136 days** \- Utah Democratic Party's state nominating convention (4/25/2026) **195 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) **328 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) **1,063 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) --- ## 📰 Above the fold Utah's gun laws earned a failing grade according to a new report, driven by lawmakers’ recent expansion of gun rights and resistance to new safety measures. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Lawmakers want to fast-track election court cases, shift signature rules for 2026 election URL: https://utahpolitics.news/lawmakers-want-to-fast-track-election-court-cases-shift-signature-rules-for-2026-election/ Last updated: 2025-12-16T15:33:57.000Z ****On the house!** We're making this one available to all readers. If you find it valuable, consider becoming a paid subscriber—your support is what keeps this kind of journalism going. [Subscribe ](#/portal/signup) ## ⏰ Tick Tock **Today** \- Special session on redistricting. (12/9/2025) **24 days -** First day candidates (except Congressional candidates) can file for the 2026 election. (1/2/2026) **42 days** \- Start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) **90 days** \- First day congressional candidates can file to run for the 2026 election. (3/9/2026) **98 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) **137 days** \- Utah Democratic Party's state nominating convention (4/25/2026) **196 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) **329 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) **1,064 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) --- # 📰 Above the fold Utah legislators want to fast-track their appeal in the state's gerrymandering lawsuit. Two bills up for vote today would force all election and redistricting cases straight to the Utah Supreme Court on an expedited timeline. [SB2002](https://le.utah.gov/~2025S2/bills/static/SB2002.html?ref=utahpolitics.news), sponsored by Sen. Brady Brammer (R-Highland) would require any election or redistricting dispute to go directly to the Utah Supreme Court. It also makes any judicial decision immediately appealable—even if attorney‑fee motions are still pending. This bill is a direct response to lawmakers complaints about the lengthy delays in the gerrymandering case. The legislature is still waiting for Third District Judge Dianna Gibson to issue her final ruling in the case, delaying their expected appeal to the Utah Supreme Court. If SB2002 clears both chambers with a two‑thirds vote and Gov. Spencer Cox signs it—which is likely—it would take effect immediately and let lawmakers start the appeal process. [SJR201](https://le.utah.gov/~2025S2/bills/static/SJR201.html?ref=utahpolitics.news), also sponsored by Brammer, would change how courts handle election and redistricting cases. The clock for appeals would start immediately when a judgment is entered, and courts must set briefing schedules and issue decisions “with sufficient promptness” to avoid impacting candidates, voters and election deadlines. It also bars either party from seeking attorneys’ fees until all appeals are resolved. Like SB2002, SJR201 goes into effect immediately if it passes with a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate. As a resolution, it does not need the governor’s signature. A third piece of legislation on today’s agenda makes a one-time only change to the rules in congressional races in Utah, moving the filing window and allows candidates to “hedge their bets” in case the congressional map changes. [SB2001](https://le.utah.gov/~2025S2/bills/static/SB2001.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) from Sen. Scott Sandall (R-Tremonton) would move the filing period for congressional candidates from the first week of January to March 9–13, 2026\. Filing windows for all other races would remain the first week of January. Congressional candidates could start gathering signatures on the same timeline as other candidates. This is a one‑time change for 2026. While gathering signatures for Congress, candidates could also collect signatures for another state or county office, as long as they withdraw from the other race before officially filing for Congress. SB2001 also loosens signature‑gathering rules for congressional primaries in 2026\. Instead of collecting only from voters inside a candidate’s district, campaigns could gather signatures from any eligible voter statewide who can vote in that party’s primary. Republicans could still collect only from registered Republicans; Democrats could collect from registered Democrats or unaffiliated voters. SB2001 makes one other small, but permanent change, allowing candidates to submit signature packets weekly during the gathering period, rather than all at once. Submitting packets as they go would let campaigns monitor validity rates and adjust tactics—and keep turning in signatures even after hitting the threshold. This change is likely a response to the ongoing attempts by former gubernatorial candidate Phil Lyman to overturn his GOP primary loss to Spencer Cox. Lyman has repeatedly claimed, without evidence, that Cox did not secure enough signatures to qualify for the primary ballot. [Post-election audits](https://utahpolitics.news/legislative-audit-calls-for-overhaul-in-candidate-signature-verification-citing-lack-of-transparency/) have found some issues with signature validation procedures, but Lyman and his supporters [have misrepresented those findings](https://utahpolitics.news/game-over-supreme-court-slams-door-on-lymans-last-ditch-election-challenge/) to claim Cox fell short. There is no evidence Cox missed the signature threshold. ### Ben McAdams is back URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/ben-mcadams-is-back/ Last updated: 2025-12-16T15:34:03.000Z Former Democratic Congressman Ben McAdams sat out 2022 and 2024\. He's not sitting out 2026. McAdams joins "Special Session" to talk about his decision to get back into electoral politics with a run in Utah's newly drawn 1st Congressional District—the Salt Lake County-centered seat created by a judge's ruling last month. McAdams represented the old 4th District from 2019 to 2021 after defeating Mia Love in what was then the most Republican district in the country to flip to a Democrat. Before that, he served as Salt Lake County Mayor and in the Utah State Senate. In our conversation, he talks about what's driving him back into the arena, how he plans to navigate a district where Democrats are the largest voting bloc but still only make up a quarter of registered voters, and what happens to his campaign if the legislature successfully appeals the new maps. I also asked him directly about lingering anger from some Democrats over his role in the 2022 U.S. Senate race, when he pushed for the party to clear the field for Evan McMullin. Listen to the full interview [at this link](https://share.transistor.fm/s/6e1055ff?ref=utahpolitics.news). ### Utah special session freezes out the public: No hearings, fast votes URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-special-session-freezes-out-the-public-no-hearings-fast-votes/ Last updated: 2025-12-10T17:26:02.000Z ## ⏰ Tick Tock **Tomorrow** \- Special session on redistricting. (12/9/2025) **25 days -** Candidate filing opens for the 2026 midterm elections (1/2/2026) **32 days** \- Last day for candidates to file for the 2026 midterm elections. (1/9/2026) **43 days** \- Start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026). **99 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) **138 days** \- Utah Democratic Party's state nominating convention (4/25/2026) **197 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) **330 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) **1,065 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) --- ****On the house!** We're making this one available to all readers. If you find it valuable, consider becoming a paid subscriber—your support is what keeps this kind of journalism going. [Subscribe ](#/portal/signup) ## 📰 Above the fold Utah’s special legislative sessions are, by design, fast and often rushed. Lawmakers scramble to make urgent fixes that can’t wait until the regular legislative session in January - usually addressing a pressing budget issue or closing an unexpected loophole in the law. Tomorrow’s special session is unusually aggressive: the GOP-controlled Legislature is seeking to buy time and blunt court-ordered consequences in the Utah redistricting lawsuit. The proposed changes on Tuesday’s agenda include altering the filing deadline and signature requirements for congressional candidates, changing the rules when government officials and entities appeal a court ruling, and sending any redistricting cases directly to the Utah Supreme Court. Lawmakers will consider all of those substantive proposals tomorrow while freezing the public out of the process. Typically, bills go to a standing committee, where lawmakers debate the proposal and the public has a chance to offer testimony and weigh in. For special session legislation, those hearings happen during interim committee meetings. That won’t be the case on Tuesday. Because the final interim committee meetings were last month, the proposed legislation will head straight to the House or Senate floor without public testimony. As of Monday morning, none of the proposed pieces of legislation have been posted to the legislature’s website, leaving the public little time to review what their representatives plan to vote on Tuesday evening. These are not insignificant changes. For instance, moving the filing deadline for congressional candidates means a shorter campaign, giving an advantage to the four Republican incumbents and Democratic challengers who may be more established than other hopefuls. - The compressed timeline leaves less time for candidates to introduce themselves to voters, hindering efforts to overcome opponents with stronger name recognition. - Incumbents have existing campaign infrastructure and donor networks. Challengers will have less time to raise money and build campaign teams and volunteer operations, limiting ballot access efforts. **UPDATE** \- Late Monday morning, lawmakers hastily announced the Government Operations Interim Committee would meet on Tuesday afternoon to hold a hearing on several proposed bills for the Special Session. ### Utah lawmakers negotiating repeal of 'union busting' bill with labor unions URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-lawmakers-negotiating-repeal-of-union-busting-bill-with-labor-unions/ Last updated: 2025-12-10T15:51:00.000Z Utah legislative leaders are negotiating with labor unions on a deal to repeal HB267, the GOP-backed “union busting” law that stripped public‑sector unions of collective bargaining over wages and benefits. The repeal could be added to Tuesday’s special‑session agenda, according to multiple sources. [HB267 was fast‑tracked](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-legislative-republicans-torpedo-public-employee-unions/) in the first two weeks of the 2025 session despite fierce union opposition. After labor unions [qualified a referendum](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-anti-union-law-put-on-hold-as-referendum-exceeds-signature-requirements/) for the 2026 ballot, the law was paused under Utah’s referendum rules. Sources with direct knowledge of the talks say legislative Republicans fear a voter backlash in 2026 and that leaving HB267 on the ballot could boost turnout among voters angry at the legislature. The special session is already set for Tuesday to address election‑law changes tied to the redistricting lawsuit. Last month, Third District Judge Dianna Gibson rejected the legislature's replacement congressional map and adopted the plaintiffs’ plan, which creates a Democratic‑leaning district centered on Salt Lake County. Sources say the session agenda will be released Sunday. It remains unclear whether Gov. Spencer Cox will include an HB267 repeal in the call. Spokespersons for the Utah House, Senate and Gov. Cox did not respond to a request for comment. ### 'People want fighters right now.' Sen. Nate Blouin on his congressional campaign URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/people-want-fighters-right-now-sen-nate-blouin-on-his-congressional-campaign/ Last updated: 2025-12-09T15:20:43.000Z Utah state Sen. Nate Blouin isn't wasting any time. Just days after Judge Diana Gibson approved new congressional maps that created a D+14 district in Salt Lake County, Blouin announced he's running for Congress. He launched his campaign Monday, picked up an endorsement from Bernie Sanders, and is already taking shots at his Democratic opponents — without naming them directly. On the latest episode of Special Session, Blouin lays out his pitch: he's a progressive who won't moderate his positions to win, he's sworn off corporate and PAC money, and he thinks Democrats are on track to take back the House in 2026. We covered a lot of ground: He was blunt about the maps. Blouin said he would [not have run under Map C](https://utahpolitics.news/map-tossed-math-changed/), the legislature's preferred option that Gibson rejected. And if the courts somehow restore the 2021 maps? He'd have to think hard about whether that makes sense for a candidate running in the progressive lane. This race is shaping up to be one of the most competitive Democratic primaries Utah has seen in years. Blouin is positioning himself as the progressive alternative to Ben McAdams, who reportedly has a $500,000 head start on fundraising. Give it a listen below [or at this link](https://special-session.transistor.fm/s1/48?ref=utahpolitics.news). Subscribe to the show on [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/special-session-with-bryan-schott/id1776928501?ref=utahpolitics.news), [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/2rqlQnmyUwYq7RMbNs5BAE?ref=utahpolitics.news), [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@UtahPoliticalWatch/podcasts?ref=utahpolitics.news) or wherever you get your podcasts. ### Lee joins push to curb First Amendment challenges to Ten Commandments in schools URL: https://utahpolitics.news/lee-joins-push-to-curb-first-amendment-challenges-to-ten-commandments-in-schools/ Last updated: 2025-12-08T23:15:36.000Z ## ⏰ Tick Tock **4 days** \- Special session on redistricting. (12/9/2025) **28 days -** Candidate filing opens for the 2026 midterm elections (1/2/2026) **35 days** \- Last day for candidates to file for the 2026 midterm elections. (1/9/2026) **46 days** \- Start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026). **102 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) **141 days** \- Utah Democratic Party's state nominating convention (4/25/2026) **200 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) **333 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) **1,068 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) --- ## 📰 Above the fold Utah Sen. Mike Lee joined with nearly 50 other members of Congress to argue in favor of a Texas law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in every classroom, arguing in a court filing that individuals should not be allowed to challenge government decisions merely because they disagree with them. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Utah House Republicans charge taxpayers for swanky resort retreat URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-house-republicans-charge-taxpayers-for-swanky-resort-retreat/ Last updated: 2025-12-06T17:54:43.000Z Utah taxpayers picked up a $26,584 tab for a day‑and‑a‑half House Republican retreat at the swanky [Zermatt Resort](https://zermattresort.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) near Midway. The charge covers dozens of rooms and catered meetings. House Republican leaders have not explained why they chose to use taxpayer funds instead of tapping the hundreds of thousands of dollars of PAC money they’re sitting on. The majority declined to answer questions about the retreat. According to contracts obtained by Utah Political Watch through an open records request, the House Majority Caucus booked a bloc of 67 rooms at the resort for a meeting on Sept. 29 and 30\. 41 of those were standard rooms and another 26 were larger villas that featured a kitchen and living room. Rooms for a one night stay totaled a little more than $13,000 at group rates ($155.21 for standard rooms, $270.18 for villas), plus $2,250 for meeting space and nearly $11,000 for catering. The majority also hired a Montana‑based facilitator for $2,299.44, which included airfare and a rental car. Four rooms went unused after cancellations or early departures. 51 Republican representatives and roughly a dozen staffers, including Chief of Staff Abby Osborne and Deputy Chief of Staff Ryan Hunter, plus an intern attended the event. The House majority reserved a total of 67 rooms. It remains unclear whether spouses or guests also stayed. The final bill came to $26,584.30\. A transaction from the Legislature for the same amount appears on the state’s financial transparency website, labeled as “resort.” ### Unanswered questions The majority did not respond to why taxpayer funds were used for the meeting instead of money from the House Republicans or House Speaker’s PACs, which each have hundreds of thousands of dollars in the bank. For contrast, the House Democratic Caucus, which is much smaller than the Republican supermajority, also hosts planning retreats for members and staffers paid for with state funds. Those meetings typically have much more meager accommodations—usually held at the Capitol, with bagels or sandwiches provided for catering. Any fees for speakers come out of the House Democratic political action committee. ### John Curtis's yes vote on Pete Hegseth comes due URL: https://utahpolitics.news/john-curtiss-yes-vote-on-pete-hegseth-comes-due/ Last updated: 2025-12-18T17:13:53.000Z ****This Morning Memo is usually for paid subscribers. We're unlocking it today so you can see what you're missing.** Like it? Support it. Become a paid subscriber or make a donation. This costs money to do well, and reader support is how we stay independent and fearless. [Support our work ](#/portal/signup) ## ⏰ Tick Tock **6 days** \- Special session on redistricting. (12/9/2025) **30 days -** Candidate filing opens for the 2026 midterm elections (1/2/2026) **37 days** \- Last day for candidates to file for the 2026 midterm elections. (1/9/2026) **48 days** \- Start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026). **104 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) **143 days** \- Utah Democratic Party's state nominating convention (4/25/2026) **202 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) **335 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) **1,070 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) --- ## 📰 Above the fold Twenty days into his Senate career, Utah’s John Curtis met his first tragic dilemma: confirm Pete Hegseth—a Fox News weekend host with a loyal MAGA following—as Secretary of Defense, or defy the pressure and sink the nomination. Curtis said he had concerns. Hegseth had never run a large organization. Two nonprofits he led faced accusations of financial mismanagement. There were allegations of personal misconduct. [Three of his Republican colleagues](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/25/us/politics/hegseth-confirmation-republican-senators-votes.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) had already signalled they would vote no on Hegseth’s nomination. One more and the nomination would fail. It was almost Shakespearean, if Hamlet were a brand-new Senator in Washington. “To confirm, or not to confirm—that is the question; whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of MAGA and Fox News, or to take arms against a sea of valid criticisms, and by opposing, end them.” Curtis voted yes. The Senate tied. [Vice President JD Vance broke the tie](https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll%5Fcall%5Fvotes/vote1191/vote%5F119%5F1%5F00015.htm?ref=utahpolitics.news#position). Hegseth got the job. “While there are actions from his past that give me pause, I carefully weighed these concerns against his qualifications, leadership style, and commitment to bolstering the world’s most respected military,” [Curtis said after the vote](https://www.curtis.senate.gov/press-releases/statement-from-senator-curtis-on-the-nomination-of-pete-hegseth/?ref=utahpolitics.news). “I am confident Mr. Hegseth shares my vision of ensuring our armed services are prepared to meet the evolving challenges of the 21st century.” Now Hegseth and the Trump administration face scrutiny over strikes on alleged drug smuggling boats in the Caribbean, after [the Washington Post reported](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/11/28/hegseth-kill-them-all-survivors-boat-strike/?ref=utahpolitics.news) Hegseth gave a verbal order to “kill everybody” after the first strike on Sept. 2 left survivors. The Trump administration [has confirmed there was a second strike](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-alleged-drug-boat-strike-venezuela-hegseth/?ref=utahpolitics.news) on the boat, but said the order came from Navy Admiral Frank “Mitch” Bradley, not Hegseth. The Post’s report said Bradley was following Hegseth’s directive. Legal questions already swirled around the military operation in the Caribbean, but the second strike has fueled a more explosive debate about whether the U.S. is committing war crimes. On Monday, [Curtis told KSL](https://ksltv.com/politics-elections/utah-senator-vows-to-conduct-oversight-into-second-boat-strike-that-killed-survivors/852663/?ref=utahpolitics.news) that he is “concerned” about the second military strike that killed two survivors, and is “working to conduct his own oversight” into the incident. While Curtis may have been more Hamlet before the vote, the story now reads closer to King Creon in Antigone. After the civil war between Oedipus’s sons, Creon decreed a hero’s burial for Eteocles, who defended Thebes, and left Polynices—the attacker—unburied, which was an extreme sacrilege. The Greeks believed even their enemies deserved funeral rites, and leaving a body unburied offended the gods. The prophet Tiresias warned Creon that his actions had angered the gods, and there would be consequences. “The Furies who destroy, the ones from Hades and the gods, lie waiting for you, ready to ambush you with the same disasters you’ve created,” Tiresias warns. Creon finally admits his mistake, but only after his son and wife are dead. “Alas, my errors—they’re so stubborn, deadly,” Creon wails. “Oh, my own disastrous decisions.” Curtis’s office did not respond to questions about whether he had any second thoughts about Secretary Hegseth’s qualifications or his vote to confirm him in light of the reporting about the second strike. In Antigone, the chorus delivers the last word—a coda that seems tailor-made for this moment. “Wisdom is by far the greatest part of happiness. We must never be disrespectful to the gods. The great words of arrogant men are paid for with great blows, and as the years pass, these blows teach wisdom." If the Post’s reporting holds, the consequences of Curtis’s vote may now be coming due. ### FBI Director's wardrobe malfunction during the hunt for Charlie Kirk's killer URL: https://utahpolitics.news/morning-memo-fbi-directors-wardrobe-malfunction-during-the-hunt-for-charlie-kirks-killer/ Last updated: 2025-12-05T23:08:55.000Z ## ⏰ Tick Tock **7 days** \- Special session on redistricting. (12/9/2025) **31 days -** Candidate filing opens for the 2026 midterm elections (1/2/2026) **38 days** \- Last day for candidates to file for the 2026 midterm elections. (1/9/2026) **49 days** \- Start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026). **105 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) **144 days** \- Utah Democratic Party's state nominating convention (4/25/2026) **203 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) **336 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) **1,071 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) ## 📰 Above the fold As FBI agents searched for the killer of conservative commentator and podcaster Charlie Kirk, FBI Director Kash Patel allegedly would not step off his plane at the Provo, Utah airport unless he was wearing an FBI raid jacket with the proper shoulder patches. The search for those items interrupted the investigation, according to a report sent to congressional committees. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Dark money blitz: Trump-aligned group flooding Utah with cash to overturn anti-gerrymandering law URL: https://utahpolitics.news/dark-money-blitz-trump-aligned-group-flooding-utah-with-cash-to-overturn-anti-gerrymandering-law/ Last updated: 2025-12-04T18:00:02.000Z A Trump‑aligned dark money network is pouring cash into Utah to kill the state’s anti‑gerrymandering law—another $1 million last week—bringing the repeal campaign to $4.35 million in roughly five weeks. Securing American Greatness, a 501(c)(4) that can raise unlimited amounts of money without disclosing its donors, sent the latest $1 million to Utahns for Representative Government (UFRG), the organization pushing the repeal of Prop. 4\. So far, it’s the only funder. UFRG, the political issue committee headed by Utah GOP Chairman Rob Axson, has until Feb. 15 to collect just over 140,000 signatures statewide, plus signatures from 8% of registered voters in 26 of Utah’s 29 state Senate districts, to land the repeal on the 2026 ballot. Prop. 4, passed by voters in 2018, created an independent commission to redraw the state’s political boundaries during the once-a-decade redistricting cycle. The measure also outlawed partisan gerrymandering. In 2020, the GOP-controlled legislature repealed Prop. 4 before it could be implemented. After a coalition of organizations sued, a judge threw out the congressional map approved by the legislature in 2021. The eye-popping $4.35 million donated to UFRG by Securing American Greatness far outpaces the $2.8 million the group that initially qualified Prop. 4 raised in 2018\. The largest donor to the original ballot initiative was the Action Now Initiative, a non-partisan organization that contributed just over $1.1 million. The largest individual donor was former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mike Weinholtz, who kicked in $200,000. The millions contributed by Securing American Greatness to the Prop. 4 repeal effort is also more than what backers raised by the groups that put two other successful initiatives on the 2018 ballot. - Utah Patients Coalition, the group that sponsored the Medical Cannabis Act, raised $956,996 in that effort. - Utah Decides Healthcare, which sponsored the initiative that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, raised more than $3.7 million. Most of the money behind the effort came from [The Fairness Project](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairness%5FProject?ref=utahpolitics.news), a Washington, D.C. social justice organization. Though not a ballot initiative, the 2007 ballot box fight over school vouchers was one of the most expensive in Utah history. That year, the Utah Legislature passed the nation’s first statewide private school voucher program. Opponents launched a referendum effort, successfully collecting enough signatures to block the program and put it on the November ballot. The pro and anti-voucher sides of the issue raised more than $9.3 million trying to sway voters. The pro-voucher Parents for Choice in Education raised more than $5.1 million, with 75% of the money coming from former Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne and his parents. The National Education Association and Utah Education Association funneled more than $3 million to the anti-voucher effort. [More than 62% of Utahns voted](https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/utah-vouchers-rejected-in-overwhelming-vote/2007/11?ref=utahpolitics.news) to reject the school voucher program. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Sanders backs Blouin in UT-01: Does the endorsement move votes or just headlines? URL: https://utahpolitics.news/sanders-backs-blouin-in-ut-01-does-the-endorsement-move-votes-or-just-headlines/ Last updated: 2025-12-04T18:00:17.000Z ## ⏰ Tick Tock **8 days** \- Special session on redistricting. (12/9/2025) **32 days -** Candidate filing opens for the 2026 midterm elections (1/2/2026) **39 days** \- Last day for candidates to file for the 2026 midterm elections. (1/9/2026) **50 days** \- Start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026). **106 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) **145 days** \- Utah Democratic Party's state nominating convention (4/25/2026) **204 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) **337 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) **1,072 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) ****Independent Journalism Can't Be Bought or Silenced** No corporate ownership. No billionaire backers. Just accountability reporting that makes powerful people uncomfortable. ****Start with our free newsletter** or ****go all-in with a paid subscription** and get full access and the knowledge you're funding fearless journalism. [Subscribe ](#/portal/signup) ## 📰 Above the fold Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders handed [Democrat Nate Blouin](https://www.nateforutah.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) a marquee endorsement in the race for Utah’s newly-drawn 1st Congressional District, injecting national attention into the contest. The question is simple: How much does it matter? _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Trump-aligned dark money group drops another $2.1 million into Prop. 4 repeal effort URL: https://utahpolitics.news/morning-memo-trump-aligned-dark-money-group-drops-another-2-1-million-into-prop-4-repeal-effort/ Last updated: 2025-12-03T19:08:27.000Z ## ⏰ Tick Tock **38 days -** Candidate filing opens for the 2026 midterm elections (1/2/2026) **45 days** \- Last day for candidates to file for the 2026 midterm elections. (1/9/2026) **56 days** \- Start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026). **112 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) **151 days** \- Utah Democratic Party's state nominating convention (4/25/2026) **210 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) **343 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) **1,078 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) --- ****This Morning Memo is usually for paid subscribers. We're unlocking it today so you can see what you're missing.** Like it? Support it. Become a paid subscriber or make a donation. This costs money to do well, and reader support is how we stay independent and fearless. [Support our work ](#/portal/signup) ## 📰 Above the fold A Trump-aligned dark money group just dropped another $2.175 million to help repeal Utah’s anti-gerrymandering law—bringing its total to nearly $3.3 million and making it the sole funder of the campaign. [Utahns for Representative Government (UFRG)](https://www.ufrg.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news), a political issue committee led by Utah Republican Party Chair Rob Axson, is circulating petitions to [put a full repeal of Proposition 4](https://vote.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Repeal-of-Independent-Redistricting-Commission-Direct-Initiative%5FFinal.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news)—the anti-gerrymandering measure voters approved in 2018—on the ballot. In late October, [Securing American Greatness donated $1,087,500](https://utahpolitics.news/trump-aligned-dark-money-group-bankrolling-utah-gop-effort-to-repeal-prop-4/) to UFRG for the petition drive. Last week, it added $2,175,000 more. So far, Securing American Greatness has donated just shy of $3.3 million to the effort. They are UFRG’s only donor. Securing American Greatness is a 501(c)(4) “dark money” group. It can raise unlimited funds without disclosing donors. [The only known corporate donor](https://www.citizensforethics.org/reports-investigations/crew-investigations/qualcomm-gave-1-million-to-pro-trump-dark-money-group/?ref=utahpolitics.news) so far is technology company Qualcomm, which corporate filings show gave $1 million sometime between September 2024 and March 2025. Utah isn’t the only redistricting battleground drawing the group’s money. Earlier this year, it sent [$1 million to a Missouri group](https://www.kfvs12.com/2025/11/22/text-blast-draws-attention-out-of-state-money-fueling-dueling-campaigns-over-missouris-new-congressional-map/?ref=utahpolitics.news) working to stop a petition drive targeting a new congressional map that could give Republicans an extra seat. The group formed during the 2024 presidential campaign and spent more than $60 million to boost Trump. It later dropped nearly [$8 million on ads pressuring congressional Republicans](https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/29/politics/republicans-ad-campaign-trump-bill?ref=utahpolitics.news) to back his economic agenda, and it was [behind a video](https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5220799-trump-posts-new-greenland-video-now-is-the-time-to-stand-together/?ref=utahpolitics.news) promoting Trump’s push to annex Greenland. UFRG has until Feb. 15 to [collect just over 140,000 signatures](https://vote.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-Signature-Requirements-for-a-Statewide-Initiative-Ballot.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news) from registered voters statewide, plus signatures from 8% of registered voters in 26 of Utah’s 29 state Senate districts. ### Does Utah Gov. Spencer Cox have a book deal in the works? URL: https://utahpolitics.news/does-utah-gov-spencer-cox-have-a-book-deal-in-the-works/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T18:02:31.000Z Utah Gov. Spencer Cox appears to have landed a book deal with Penguin Press: a new state conflict-of-interest disclosure shows the publisher paid him at least $5,000. Late last week, Cox filed [a new conflict of interest disclosure](https://disclosures.utah.gov/Search/PublicSearch/ViewConflictOfInterest?year=11%2F21%2F2025%2014%3A06%3A00&sooId=1414665&ref=utahpolitics.news) with the state listing Penguin Press as an organization that paid him $5,000 or more. Penguin Press does not appear his prior disclosures. The disclosure does not specify the purpose of the payment, but the timing and publisher strongly suggest an advance tied to a forthcoming book project. Spokespeople for Cox and Penguin Press did not immediately respond to questions from Utah Political Watch. [Embed from Getty Images](https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2234366913) The timing tracks with Cox’s recent rise in national media. He [drew praise for his pleas](https://www.wsj.com/opinion/spencer-cox-utah-charlie-kirk-tyler-robinson-18c12c25?st=a69rPt&ref=utahpolitics.news) for unity following the fatal shooting of conservative activist and podcaster Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University in September. That led to an [appearance on 60 Minutes](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/charlie-kirk-utah-spencer-cox-civility-unity-plea-60-minutes-transcript/?ref=utahpolitics.news) and a [guest slot on the Ezra Klein Show](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/19/opinion/ezra-klein-podcast-spencer-cox.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) podcast. Authoring a book now would cement Cox’s “civility” brand and test his appeal beyond Utah—potentially giving him a platform with donors, media and voters. Cox would be the second prominent Utah Republican with a book in the works. In August, Sen. Mike Lee disclosed a forthcoming [HarperCollins title, “The Uniparty,”](https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-uniparty-mike-lee?variant=43822972764194&ref=utahpolitics.news) set for publication early next year. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Mike Lee's public lands sell-off hit a wall-here's why URL: https://utahpolitics.news/mike-lees-public-lands-sell-off-hit-a-wall-heres-why/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T18:15:37.000Z ## ⏰ Tick Tock **39 days -** Candidate filing opens for the 2026 midterm elections (1/2/2026) **46 days** \- Last day for candidates to file for the 2026 midterm elections. (1/9/2026) **57 days** \- Start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026). **113 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) **152 days** \- Utah Democratic Party's state nominating convention (4/25/2026) **211 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) **344 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) **1,079 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) --- ****Help us reach 100** Utah Political Watch is reader-funded. We need 100 new paid subscribers to keep this work going. We're independent. We don't pull punches. We answer only to readers—not corporations, billionaires, or political agendas. ****Fewer than 1% of our readers support this work.** Be different. Support journalism that holds power accountable. [SUBSCRIBE - BE ONE OF 100 ](#/portal/signup) ## What you need to know this morning Utah Sen. Mike Lee was widely criticized for a proposal to open millions of acres of federally owned land to private developers—a plan he says would ease the housing crisis and help pay down the national debt. On 60 Minutes Sunday, Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke—Donald Trump’s former Interior secretary—rebuffed the idea, arguing it wouldn’t solve either problem. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### A surprising left lane opens in ruby red Utah URL: https://utahpolitics.news/a-surprising-left-lane-opens-in-ruby-red-utah/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T18:15:53.000Z ****Help us reach 100** Utah Political Watch is reader-funded. We need 100 new paid subscribers to keep this work going. We're independent. We don't pull punches. We answer only to readers—not corporations, billionaires, or political agendas. ****Fewer than 1% of our readers support this work.** Be different. Support journalism that holds power accountable. [SUBSCRIBE - BE ONE OF 100 ](#/portal/signup) ## ⏰ Tick Tock **43 days -** Candidate filing opens for the 2026 midterm elections (1/2/2026) **49 days** \- Last day for candidates to file for the 2026 midterm elections. (1/9/2026) **61 days** \- Start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026). **116 days** \- Neighborhood caucus night. (3/17/2026) **155 days** \- Utah Democratic Party's state nominating convention (4/25/2026) **214 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) **348 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) **1,083 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) --- ## 📰 Above the fold With apologies to Beyoncé: every Democrat, get in line—to the left. Utah is about to see something it hasn’t in decades: a wide‑open congressional race fought to the left of the perceived frontrunner. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Will the maps stand? URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/podcast-will-the-maps-stand/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T18:53:27.000Z That's the question on everybody's mind after Judge Dianna Gibson's redistricting decision. The legislature sure seems to be talking like they don't think they can overturn it. ****Help us reach 100** Utah Political Watch is reader-funded. We need 100 new paid subscribers to keep this work going. We're independent. We don't pull punches. We answer only to readers—not corporations, billionaires, or political agendas. ****Fewer than 1% of our readers support this work.** Be different. Support journalism that holds power accountable. [SUBSCRIBE - BE ONE OF 100 ](#/portal/signup) In this week's episode of "Special Session," we break down why January 2nd—not the statutory deadlines everyone keeps citing—is the real date to watch. That's when candidate filing begins, and as we just saw in Texas, courts want to get these decisions finalized before candidates start running. But redistricting isn't the only story moving right now. ### Follow the money We've been digging into who's bankrolling the GOP's Prop 4 repeal effort, and what we found is remarkable: over $1 million from Securing American Greatness Inc., a dark money group deeply tied to Donald Trump. This is the same organization that dumped $62 million into Trump's super PAC during the 2024 election. Remember all those speeches from Republican lawmakers about "outside money" corrupting Utah's ballot initiative process? Well, here's $1,087,500 of outside money flowing into the state to fund their signature gathering operation. ### The CD1 money race Ben McAdams raised $500,000 in his first day as a declared candidate. To put that in perspective, that's more than every Democratic congressional candidate in Utah raised in 2022 and 2024 combined. In the episode, we'll break down what this means for other potential Democratic candidates and why the math in this new D+14 district isn't as simple as some people think. Spoiler: it's still 35% Republican, 33% Independent, and only 25% Democratic. Democrats will need crossover voters to win, just like they always have. ### Press freedom update An update on the federal lawsuit against the Utah Legislature over press credentials just got two major amicus briefs in support—one from the ACLU of Utah, another from FIRE and the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. The legislature's response is due December 10th. The core issue remains: should the government get to decide who is and isn't a legitimate journalist? The ACLU brief makes a compelling argument that what's happening here is essentially government licensing of the press, and that's a First Amendment problem. ### Listen to the full episode [Listen at this link](https://special-session.transistor.fm/s1/47?ref=utahpolitics.news) or on [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/special-session-with-bryan-schott/id1776928501?ref=utahpolitics.news), [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/2rqlQnmyUwYq7RMbNs5BAE?ref=utahpolitics.news), [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@UtahPoliticalWatch/podcasts?ref=utahpolitics.news) or wherever you get your podcasts. ### Utah Republicans rage at court-approved map. It might be a lifeline in 2026 URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-republicans-rage-at-court-approved-map-it-might-be-a-lifeline-in-2026/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T18:16:10.000Z ## ⏰ Tick Tock **44 days -** Candidate filing opens for the 2026 midterm elections (1/2/2026) **62 days** \- Start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026). **156 days** \- Utah Democratic Party's state nominating convention (4/25/2026) **215 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) **349 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) **1,084 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) --- ## 📰 Above the fold Utah Republicans are furious that 3rd District Judge Dianna Gibson rejected the legislature’s proposed congressional map in favor of one submitted by plaintiffs in the gerrymandering lawsuit. That ruling could become a lifeline for the GOP in the 2026 midterms—it could be the difference between three safe seats and a surprise loss. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Utah weighs ban on paper petitions; digital only by 2030 URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-weighs-ban-on-paper-petitions-digital-only-by-2030/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T18:16:30.000Z ****Help us reach 100** Utah Political Watch is reader-funded. We need 100 new paid subscribers to keep this work going. We're independent. We don't pull punches. We answer only to readers—not corporations, billionaires, or political agendas. ****Fewer than 1% of our readers support this work.** Be different. Support journalism that holds power accountable. [SUBSCRIBE - BE ONE OF 100 ](#/portal/signup) ## ⏰ Tick Tock **45 days -** Candidate filing opens for the 2026 midterm elections (1/2/2026) **63 days** \- Start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026). **157 days** \- Utah Democratic Party's state nominating convention (4/25/2026) **216 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) **350 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) **1,085 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) --- ## 📰 Above the fold Utah is the only state that currently permits collecting petition signatures electronically. A proposal before lawmakers would go further: by 2030, electronic signature gathering would be the only way to collect signatures for candidates, initiatives and referendums. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Trump-aligned dark money group bankrolling Utah GOP effort to repeal Prop. 4 URL: https://utahpolitics.news/trump-aligned-dark-money-group-bankrolling-utah-gop-effort-to-repeal-prop-4/ Last updated: 2025-12-01T17:27:12.000Z A Trump-aligned dark money group that poured tens of millions into Donald Trump’s 2024 bid is bankrolling the Utah GOP’s push to repeal the state’s anti-gerrymandering law, Prop 4. ****Help us reach 100** Utah Political Watch is reader-funded. We need 100 new paid subscribers to keep this work going. We're independent. We don't pull punches. We answer only to readers—not corporations, billionaires, or political agendas. ****Fewer than 1% of our readers support this work.** Be different. Support journalism that holds power accountable. [SUBSCRIBE - BE ONE OF 100 ](#/portal/signup) In October, Utah Republican Party leaders [launched an effort to repeal Prop. 4](https://utahpolitics.news/podcast-the-utah-gop-finds-the-redistricting-uno-reverse-card/), the anti-gerrymandering ballot initiative approved by Utah voters in 2018\. They first pursued the state’s indirect initiative process to force a vote by the legislature, then pivoted to a direct initiative for the 2026 ballot after Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson signalled [she would likely reject the indirect route](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-gop-shifts-gears-after-anti-gerrymandering-repeal-strategy-hits-constitutional-wall/) on constitutional grounds. According to financial disclosures with Utah’s Lt. Governor office, an organization named “Securing American Greatness, Inc.” donated $1,087,500 to Utahns for Representative Government, the political issues committee (PIC) behind the ballot initiative seeking to repeal Prop. 4\. The PIC is headed up by Utah GOP chairman Rob Axson. [Securing American Greatness](https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/securing-american-greatness/summary?id=D000114050&ref=utahpolitics.news), a 501(c)(4) nonprofit, can raise unlimited amounts of money without disclosing its donors. The organization is headed by Taylor Budowich, who served as deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel in the early days of the second Donald Trump administration. He [left the White House in September](https://www.notus.org/trump-white-house/trump-adviser-taylor-budowich-white-house?ref=utahpolitics.news). Securing American Greatness first popped up during the 2024 presidential campaign, when it [spent a reported $2 million on ads](https://www.politico.com/news/2024/05/31/trump-dark-money-group-00161122?ref=utahpolitics.news) in Pennsylvania attacking Democrat Joe Biden. During the final stretch of the campaign, the organization [donated $62 million to Trump’s super PAC](https://readsludge.com/2024/12/10/trump-got-last-minute-dark-money-injection/?ref=utahpolitics.news) Make America Great Again (MAGA Inc.), which Budowich founded. Earlier this year, Securing American Greatness [donated another $13.75 million](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/trumps-super-pac-raises-massive-177-million-bolstering-political-influ-rcna222400?ref=utahpolitics.news) to Trump’s super PAC. The group also spent a reported $17 million on [ads pressuring Republican members of Congress](https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/unprecedented-big-money-surge-super-pac-tied-trump?ref=utahpolitics.news) to support his budget proposal. The seven-figure Utah donation arrives as organizers race to qualify the repeal measure for the ballot. They have until Feb. 15 to collect more than 140,000 signatures statewide, plus signatures from 8% of registered voters in 26 of Utah’s 29 state Senate districts. That signature gathering effort officially kicked off on Tuesday. It’s likely that the seven-figure donation is mostly to help fund their signature-gathering effort. Before they abandoned the indirect initiative, organizers [put out a call to hire paid signature gatherers](https://utahpolitics.news/40-an-hour-to-save-utah-gop-hiring-paid-signature-gatherers-for-redistricting-battle/). In an email to Utah Political Watch, Axson expressed appreciation for the support, but did not detail how the money would be used. "We will continue to raise all that we need to be successful. Any donation will be used to execute on all we need to do. Signature gathering is one of those things and grateful for those standing with us," Axson said. Using paid petition collectors in Utah for a ballot initiative is a costly proposition. In 2021, lawmakers voted to make the process for qualifying an initiative for the ballot more difficult by barring companies from paying signature gatherers based on the number of signatures they collect, mandating that they can only be paid an hourly rate. Conveniently, that restriction does not apply to political candidates. Earlier this year, paid signature gathering for the [successful referendum effort targeting HB267](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-anti-union-law-put-on-hold-as-referendum-exceeds-signature-requirements/), the so-called “union busting” bill, cost organizers more than $1.5 million. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Melissa Holyoak named interim U.S. Attorney for Utah by AG Pam Bondi URL: https://utahpolitics.news/melissa-holyoak-named-interim-u-s-attorney-for-utah-by-ag-pam-bondi/ Last updated: 2025-12-01T19:11:31.000Z Melissa Holyoak, a former Utah solicitor general and sitting Federal Trade Commission (FTC) commissioner, was appointed interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Utah by Attorney General Pam Bondi on Monday. ****Independent Journalism Can't Be Bought or Silenced** No corporate ownership. No billionaire backers. Just accountability reporting that makes powerful people uncomfortable. ****Start with our free newsletter** or ****go all-in with a paid subscription** and get full access and the knowledge you're funding fearless journalism. [Subscribe ](#/portal/signup) In July, [reports surfaced](https://utahpolitics.news/report-trump-eyes-ftc-commissioner-for-utahs-top-federal-prosecutor/) the Trump administration was considering nominating Holyoak to replace former U.S. Attorney Trina Higgins, who resigned in February. Higgins was the first woman to serve as U.S. Attorney for Utah. After her resignation, Felice Viti took over as acting U.S. Attorney. “It has been a blessing to serve alongside her for almost four years,” FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson said in a [press release announcing Holyoaks’s resignation](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/11/ftc-commissioner-melissa-holyoak-appointed-interim-us-attorney?ref=utahpolitics.news) from the agency following her appointment. “She will be sorely missed at the FTC. But our loss is Utah’s great gain. As US Attorney, she will be a fearless champion for the people of Utah and for President Trump’s Golden-Age agenda. I will be rooting for her in her new role.” Holyoak served as Utah’s solicitor general under former Attorney General Sean Reyes from 2020 to 2024\. During her tenure she She was nominated to fill one of the Republican seats on the FTC in 2023 and was confirmed in 2024. Holyoak was [criticized earlier this year](https://nypost.com/2025/03/31/business/ftc-commissioner-melissa-holyoak-working-remotely-from-utah-despite-trumps-rto-order-for-us-workers-sources/?ref=utahpolitics.news) for working from her home in Utah after President Trump demanded that federal employees cease remote work and show up in person five days a week or be fired. Holyoak’s departure leaves the FEC with just two commissioners. The five-member commission is usually bipartisan, but earlier this year President Trump fired the two Democratic members. After challenging the dismissals, [Alvaro Bedoya formally resigned in June](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/09/fired-ftc-commissioner-formally-resigns-00394242?ref=utahpolitics.news). Melissa Slaughter will [argue that her firing was illegal](https://www.axios.com/2025/11/07/fired-ftc-commissioner-supreme-court-brief?ref=utahpolitics.news) before the Supreme Court on Dec. 8. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### McAdams flexes early fundraising muscle URL: https://utahpolitics.news/mcadams-flexes-early-fundraising-muscle/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T18:16:52.000Z ## ⏰ Tick Tock **47 days -** Candidate filing opens for the 2026 midterm elections (1/2/2026) **65 days** \- Start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026). **159 days** \- Utah Democratic Party's state nominating convention (4/25/2026) **218 days** \- Utah's 2026 primary election (6/23/2026) **352 days** \- 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) **1,087 days** \- 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) --- ****This Morning Memo is usually for paid subscribers. We're unlocking it today so you can see what you're missing.** Like it? Support it. Become a paid subscriber or make a donation. This costs money to do well, and reader support is how we stay independent and fearless. [Become a paid subscriber ](#/portal/signup) # 📰 Above the fold Former Congressman Ben McAdams said Friday he raised $500,000 in the first 24 hours of his comeback bid. Impressive, but not surprising. McAdams has proven he can raise money. In his first bid for Congress, he raised nearly $3.5 million against Republican Mia Love. Two years later, he pulled in more than $5.6 million. His status as a former member of Congress undoubtedly gives him a big advantage. Dave Hansen, who ran campaigns for Republicans Orrin Hatch and Mia Love, once told me money, or the lack of it, is the difference between “running the kind of campaign you want to run and the kind of campaign you’re forced to run.” The race for the nomination in Utah’s newly-created 1st District will be extraordinarily short for a congressional race. As of Monday morning, there are just 159 days remaining until the Democratic nominating convention on April 25, and just 218 days before the 2026 primary election on June 23\. That means less time for everything—especially raising money. Announcing a large fundraising haul is a common way for campaigns to generate some positive press. For McAdams, it’s a way to put any potential rivals for the Democratic nomination on notice that his fundraising operation is back up and running after lying dormant for the last two election cycles. Money signals viability—donors give to candidates they think can win—and name recognition like McAdams’ attracts more of it. The psychological effect matters, too: a haul this big can give would‑be rivals second thoughts. Former Republican Speaker of the House Brad Wilson tried the same gambit during his run for U.S. Senate in 2024, hoping that by announcing a large fundraising haul, he would scare other Republicans away from the race. But Wilson’s large campaign war chest was mostly an illusion. Of the $4.6 million he raised, $3 million came from loans he made to his own campaign. In October 2023, Wilson’s campaign sent out a splashy press release trumpeting that he had raised $1 million for the second straight quarter. Later disclosures showed he loaned his campaign $600,000 on the final day of the period to push the total over $1 million. To be clear, money alone does not win elections, but it sure helps. Congressional candidates who raise the most money win roughly 90-95% of the time, according to Open Secrets. The lure of a what could be a Democratic-leaning congressional seat in Utah could lead to a crowded Democratic primary. Campaign cash for Democrats in Utah is a finite resource, and McAdams just hoovered up a huge chunk of it. McAdams’ single-day total is more than the entire fundraising total for every Utah Democratic congressional candidate in 2022 and 2024 combined. The only Democrat who has come close to McAdams’ fundraising total in recent years was state Sen. Kathleen Riebe, who raised just under $350,000 for the special election to replace Republican Chris Stewart in 2023. Last week, Riebe also announced she’s running for the Democratic nomination in the 1st District, but has not yet filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission. ### Utah's new 1st District: Democratic-leaning, not a lock URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utahs-new-1st-district-democratic-leaning-not-a-lock/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T18:25:01.000Z ## ⏰ Tick Tock **49** \- Days until candidate filing opens for the 2026 midterm elections (1/2/2026) **67** \- Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026). **354** \- Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) **1,089** \- Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) --- ****Help us reach 100** Utah Political Watch is reader-funded. We need 100 new paid subscribers to keep this work going. We're independent. We don't pull punches. We answer only to readers—not corporations, billionaires, or political agendas. ****Fewer than 1% of our readers support this work.** Be different. Support journalism that holds power accountable. [SUBSCRIBE - BE ONE OF 100 ](#/portal/signup) ## 📰 Above the fold How Democratic is Utah’s newly created 1st Congressional District, which covers most of Salt Lake County? It’s accurate to call the district Democratic‑leaning, but it’s not the deep‑blue stronghold some assume. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Utah Dems form a conga line for Salt Lake County's new House seat URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-dems-form-a-conga-line-for-salt-lake-countys-new-house-seat/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T18:25:54.000Z ## ⏰ Tick Tock **50** \- Days until candidate filing opens for the 2026 midterm elections (1/2/2026) **68** \- Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026). **355** \- Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) **1,090** \- Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) --- ****This Morning Memo is usually for paid subscribers. We're unlocking it today so you can see what you're missing.** Like it? Support it. Become a paid subscriber or make a donation. This costs money to do well, and reader support is how we stay independent and fearless. [Support our work ](#/portal/signup) ## 📰 Above the fold In a move few Utah political observers will find surprising, former Democratic congressman [Ben McAdams announced a run for Congress](https://benmcadamsutah.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) on Thursday morning. He joins a fast-growing field of Democrats eyeing a newly created, Democratic-leaning congressional district centered in Salt Lake County. McAdams is the most prominent Democrat in the race, followed closely by [state Sen. Kathleen Riebe](https://benmcadamsutah.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) who kicked off her campaign a day earlier. Several other Utah Democrats have filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission—though it’s likely not all are seeking the same seat. They include: They include: - [Jonathan Larsen](https://jonnyutah4congress.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) - [Steven Burt](https://stevenburt.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) - [Anthony Tomkins](https://tomkinsforutah.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) - [Peter Crosby](https://www.petercrosbyforcongress.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news) - [Tyler Farnsworth](https://www.tylerfarnsworthforutah.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) - [Steve Merrill](https://www.vote4merrill.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) - [Jarom Gillins](https://www.jaromforcongress.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) The field could grow larger. State Sen. Nate Blouin is said to be eyeing a run, as is [Caroline Gleich](https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ-ZidjEXIl/?ref=utahpolitics.news), the 2024 Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate who lost to Republican John Curtis. Even if every declared and potential Democrat jumps in, it still wouldn’t be the most crowded congressional primary in Utah history. When former congressman Jason Chaffetz abruptly announced his resignation in 2017, a whopping 15 Republican candidates jumped into the special election contest to replace him. Four dropped out of the race before the GOP convention, where Chris Herrod advanced to the primary election. He faced off against John Curtis and Tanner Ainge, who collected signatures. Curtis won the primary with a plurality, then cruised in the general election, defeating Democratic nominee Kathie Allen and United Utah Party candidate Jim Bennett. ### I feel like Dora the Explorer URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/podcast-i-feel-like-dora-the-explorer/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T18:54:43.000Z What a couple of days it has been in Utah politics. Just before midnight on Monday night, Judge Dianna Gibson dropped a political bomb that's going to scramble everything we thought we knew about Utah's congressional races. She rejected the legislature's gerrymandered map and instead implemented one with Utah's first Democratic-leaning congressional district in recent memory. That blue donut you're seeing in the middle of all that red on social media? That's the new First Congressional District, covering most of Salt Lake County. In this episode of Special Session, we dig into the new map and a potential constitutional conflict brewing under the surface. There's a compelling argument that Prop 4 itself violates the Utah Constitution. We've also got Republicans threatening to impeach not just Judge Gibson, but possibly Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson too. Democrat Ben McAdams is expected to announce he's running for Congress this week. This could be the most crowded, most expensive, most bruising primary fight in Utah history—assuming the map survives legal challenges. We break down all of it: why the judge rejected the legislature's map, whether this ruling will survive appeal, which Republican incumbents run where, who's jumping into the Democratic primary, and what it means if control of Congress comes down to a single seat in Utah. **Listen now** [**at this link**](https://special-session.transistor.fm/s1/46?ref=utahpolitics.news) **on your favorite podcast platform, or become a paid subscriber for the ad-free version.** ### Utah's new congressional map: still gerrymandered, but fairer URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utahs-new-congressional-map-still-gerrymandered-but-fairer/ Last updated: 2025-12-01T19:13:14.000Z ## ⏰ Tick Tock **51** \- Days until candidate filing is open for the 2026 midterm elections (1/2/2026) **69** \- Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026). **356** \- Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) **1,091** \- Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) --- ****Help us reach 100** Utah Political Watch is reader-funded. We need 100 new paid subscribers to keep this work going. We're independent. We don't pull punches. We answer only to readers—not corporations, billionaires, or political agendas. ****Fewer than 1% of our readers support this work.** Be different. Support journalism that holds power accountable. [SUBSCRIBE - BE ONE OF 100 ](#/portal/signup) ## 📰 Above the fold Utah’s new congressional map—approved by a judge in the gerrymandering case—gives Democrats a real shot at flipping a GOP-held seat in the 2026 midterms. Republicans call it a Democratic gerrymander in a deep‑red state. The numbers say it’s significantly fairer than the 2021 plan. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Utah GOP lawmaker moves to impeach judge over gerrymandering ruling URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-gop-lawmaker-moves-to-impeach-judge-over-gerrymandering-ruling/ Last updated: 2025-12-01T19:15:13.000Z # A Utah Republican lawmaker says he has opened a bill to file articles of impeachment against the state judge overseeing Utah’s gerrymandering case, escalating the fight over the state’s congressional map. ****Help us reach 100** Utah Political Watch is reader-funded. We need 100 new paid subscribers to keep this work going. We're independent. We don't pull punches. We answer only to readers—not corporations, billionaires, or political agendas. ****Fewer than 1% of our readers support this work.** Be different. Support journalism that holds power accountable. [SUBSCRIBE - BE ONE OF 100 ](#/portal/signup) Rep. Matt MacPherson, R-West Valley City, wrote on X/Twitter that he has opened a bill to impeach Third District Judge Dianna Gibson. “I have opened a bill to file articles of impeachment against Judge Gibson for gross abuse of power, violating the separation of powers and failing to uphold her oath of office to the Utah Constitution,” MacPherson wrote. > I have opened a bill to file articles of impeachment against Judge Gibson for gross abuse of power, violating the separation of powers and failing to uphold her oath of office to the Utah Constitution. > > — Matt MacPherson (@UtahVote4Matt) [November 11, 2025](https://twitter.com/UtahVote4Matt/status/1988140034193846697?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) Gibson has enraged the Republican-controlled Legislature for a series of rulings in the lawsuit challenging Utah’s congressional map. Earlier this year, she found that lawmakers unconstitutionally repealed Proposition 4 — the anti-gerrymandering ballot initiative voters approved in 2018 — and threw out the congressional map the Legislature approved in 2021. MacPherson’s post came before [Gibson’s late night ruling on Monday](https://utahpolitics.news/who-wants-a-donut-judge-throws-out-legislatures-map-proposal/) that the Legislature’s redrawn congressional map violated Proposition 4’s guidelines. Gibson adopted a map drawn by the plaintiffs that makes at least one of Utah’s four congressional districts more favorable to Democrats. MacPherson did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Utah Political Watch. Utah’s Constitution allows for the legislature to impeach a judge for “high crimes, misdemeanors, or malfeasance in office,” but it has never happened in state history. The process requires a two-thirds vote in the House to impeach, followed by a trial in the Senate. Republicans currently hold supermajorities in both chambers. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Who wants a donut? Judge throws out legislature's map proposal URL: https://utahpolitics.news/who-wants-a-donut-judge-throws-out-legislatures-map-proposal/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T18:12:20.000Z ## ⏰ Tick Tock **52** \- Days until candidate filing is open for the 2026 midterm elections (1/2/2026) **70** \- Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026). **357** \- Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) **1,092** \- Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) --- ****The "Morning Memo" newsletter is usually for paid subscribers. We're unlocking it today so you can see what you're missing.** Like it? Support it. Become a paid subscriber or make a donation. This costs money to do well, and reader support is how we stay independent and fearless. [Support our work ](#/portal/signup) ## 📰Above the fold After 969 days, Utah’s congressional map fight has a ruling. Near midnight Monday, Third District Judge Dianna Gibson rejected the legislature’s map as an “extreme partisan outlier” under Proposition 4 and adopted an [alternative proposed by the plaintiffs](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-judge-will-choose-from-three-possible-congressional-maps/), which creates an electoral “donut hole” with [one strongly Democratic district](https://davesredistricting.org/join/65969848-acb7-45bb-aa75-23a8eef379f8?ref=utahpolitics.news) centered on Salt Lake County surrounded by three GOP-heavy districts. Prop. 4 is the voter-approved anti-gerrymandering reform that bars partisan favoritism and limits the use of political data in line-drawing. Gibson found the legislature’s map violated those standards. The ruling scrambles the 2026 midterm landscape for both parties. The legislature’s map produced four GOP-leaning seats; by slicing Salt Lake County, two districts looked competitive for Democrats. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/Plaintiffs----map-proposal-1.jpg) Election data from Redistricter 💡 Dig into the new Utah congressional map [at this link](https://davesredistricting.org/maps?ref=utahpolitics.news#viewmap::7ba172b4-5450-47f8-8d34-6c2c92cd7953). Gibson wrote that the legislature’s plan (Map C) exhibits “a level of pro-Republican favoritism” amounting to a gerrymander. - Simulations by the plaintiffs’ expert produced four GOP-leaning districts just 0.06% of the time—evidence of extreme partisan tilt. - The map was drawn using partisan political data, which violates Prop. 4’s ban on using that data. - It split three cities into 11 pieces and carved three counties four times, contrary to Prop. 4’s guidance to keep communities intact. - The least-Republican district still had an expected GOP vote share of 56%, a statistical outlier across simulations. Map C [split northern Salt Lake County](https://utahpolitics.news/how-splitting-salt-lake-city-could-decide-a-democratic-seat-or-keep-the-gop4-0-hold/), peeling heavily Democratic Salt Lake City away from the urban core. Gibson said the intent was to “crack” Democratic voters and dilute their ballot strength. In adopting the plaintiffs’ map, Gibson said it “does not exhibit partisan favoritism,” even though the Salt Lake County–centered district would have gone for Democrat Kamala Harris by more than 23 points in 2024—which suggests a safe Democratic seat. Gibson also struck down SB1011, the bill lawmakers rushed through before passing their map. SB1011 attempted to codify standards for evaluating whether a proposed congressional map had a partisan bias. Gibson didn’t buy that argument. “The Court concludes that SB1011 impairs, and in fact nullifies, the core reform of Proposition 4 to prohibit partisan favoritism that leads to partisan gerrymandering,” Gibson wrote. The legislature will undoubtedly appeal Gibson’s decision, hoping to keep the congressional map they approved in 2021 in place. But for now, the new map creates a conundrum for both Republicans and Democrats. With one fewer safe GOP district, one member of Utah’s all-Republican House delegation faces a tougher general election. (Members are not required to live in the district they represent.) [As we previously reported](https://utahpolitics.news/option-c-option-chaos-legislatures-map-jams-3-gop-incumbents-into-one-district/), under the court map, Rep. Blake Moore’s home falls in the Democratic-leaning 1st District, but he’s expected to seek re-election in the 2nd, which covers Northern Utah. The likely “odd man out” is either freshman Rep. Mike Kennedy or Rep. Burgess Owens. - Kennedy’s home lands in the sprawling 3rd District around eastern and southern Utah—the same district as Rep. Celeste Maloy (Washington County/St. George). It’s unlikely that Republicans will push Southern Utah’s lone member in Congress into another seat. - Owens’ home sits in the solidly Republican 4th. Does he yield a safe seat to Kennedy, or stay put and force a reshuffle? The new map gives Democrats their best shot at a Utah House seat in years. In the three GOP-leaning districts, registered Republicans constitute a majority; registered Democrats are roughly 10%. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/Plaintiffs----Map-1.jpg) Voter registration data provided by L2 The Salt Lake County–centered district has the highest concentration of Democratic voters, though not a majority: Republicans and independents are each about a third; Democrats just over 25%. If the map remains in place, expect a stampede of Democratic candidates. Former Congressman Ben McAdams [is expected to launch his bid](https://utahpolitics.news/welcome-pac-pushes-texts-to-recruit-democrat-ben-mcadams/) to later this week, joining more than a half-dozen Democrats who have filed with the FEC or announced campaigns—with more likely. The Democratic field in District 1 could rival the 11 Republicans who jumped into the 2018 U.S. Senate race after Orrin Hatch retired. Ironically, Mike Kennedy won the convention delegate vote over Mitt Romney—but Romney won the primary in a landslide. ### Welcome PAC pushes texts to recruit Democrat Ben McAdams URL: https://utahpolitics.news/welcome-pac-pushes-texts-to-recruit-democrat-ben-mcadams/ Last updated: 2025-12-01T19:15:38.000Z A center-left political action committee is already fundraising to “recruit” former Democratic congressman Ben McAdams for a likely run next year, peppering Utahns with texts even though he hasn’t officially announced. ****Help us reach 100** Utah Political Watch is reader-funded. We need 100 new paid subscribers to keep this work going. We're independent. We don't pull punches. We answer only to readers—not corporations, billionaires, or political agendas. ****Fewer than 1% of our readers support this work.** Be different. Support journalism that holds power accountable. [SUBSCRIBE - BE ONE OF 100 ](#/portal/signup) [Welcome PAC](https://www.welcomestack.org/about?ref=utahpolitics.news), which backs center-left Democratic candidates, is blasting fundraising texts that link to a donation page for McAdams. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/ed628415-a84b-4b39-930d-cd6863ce1231.jpg) In a letter [first reported by Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/31/centrist-democrats-utah-house-00631729?ref=utahpolitics.news), the group argues that court‑ordered redistricting in Utah could open a path for McAdams to reclaim a seat he narrowly lost to Republican Burgess Owens by fewer than 4,000 votes in 2020. The texts are headlined “Recruit Ben McAdams” and say: “Republicans thought their new congressional maps in Utah would lock in their power, but it might have backfired. Ben McAdams could flip this seat blue again.” The link directs [to a fundraising page](https://secure.actblue.com/donate/wpus-all-partner-oct2025-fr-benmcadams?refcode=T2265-20251107-BenMcAdamsSterling-SL&amount=25&ref=utahpolitics.news) with the same message. As of Monday afternoon, it has received more than 500 donations. Welcome PAC did not respond to a request for comment. McAdams is widely expected to launch his campaign later this week, after a judge rules on a redrawn congressional map in Utah’s redistricting case. He could not be reached for comment. [An analysis by Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/analysis-proposed-utah-congressional-maps-could-crack-gop-stranglehold/) of the legislature’s proposed map finds two districts that could be competitive for a Democrat. On that map, Donald Trump carries all four districts based on the 2020 and 2024 results, but his margin of victory is under 7 points in two of them. - District 2, which covers the western portion of Salt Lake County and all of Tooele County, goes for Trump by about 6.4% in 2024 and 5% in 2020. - District 3, which includes the eastern part of Salt Lake County and stretches across the state’s southwest, votes for Trump by 2.28% in 2024 and 0.52% in 2020. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/XGR-Option-C.jpg) McAdams is most likely to run in the proposed 3rd District, where he lives. The Republican field remains unsettled, as the legislature’s proposal jams three of Utah’s four incumbent House Republicans [into the same proposed district](https://utahpolitics.news/option-c-option-chaos-legislatures-map-jams-3-gop-incumbents-into-one-district/) as McAdams. Last month, McAdams filed an updated statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission, a crucial step that allows him to solicit campaign donations. Already, more than a half dozen Democrats and one independent have filed FEC paperwork to run for Congress in Utah next year. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/News-Tip.jpg) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpolitics.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Spencer Cox isn't the GOP's post-Trump answer URL: https://utahpolitics.news/spencer-cox-isnt-the-gops-post-trump-answer/ Last updated: 2025-12-01T19:15:52.000Z ## ⏰ Tick Tock **53** \- Days until candidate filing is open for the 2026 midterm elections (1/2/2026) **71** \- Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026). **358** \- Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) **1,093** \- Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) --- ****Help us reach 100** Utah Political Watch is reader-funded. We need 100 new paid subscribers to keep this work going. We're independent. We don't pull punches. We answer only to readers—not corporations, billionaires, or political agendas. ****Fewer than 1% of our readers support this work.** Be different. Support journalism that holds power accountable. [SUBSCRIBE - BE ONE OF 100 ](#/portal/signup) ## 📰 Above the fold On Sunday, the [Washington Post cast Utah Gov. Spencer Cox](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/11/09/presidential-contenders-2028-republicans/?ref=utahpolitics.news) as a potential “not‑quite MAGA” contender for 2028, pointing to a recent bump in his national profile, following the killing of right-wing podcaster Charlie Kirk in September. Here’s the problem: Cox is misaligned with the GOP base, Utah is a weak launchpad for a national run, and his civility brand doesn’t sell in Republican primaries. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Schrödinger's election fraud URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/podcast-schrodingers-election-fraud/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T18:55:58.000Z ****Help us reach 100** Utah Political Watch is reader-funded. We need 100 new paid subscribers to keep this work going. We're independent. We don't pull punches. We answer only to readers—not corporations, billionaires, or political agendas. ****Fewer than 1% of our readers support this work.** Be different. Support journalism that holds power accountable. [SUBSCRIBE - BE ONE OF 100 ](#/portal/signup) On this episode, we unpack Ben McAdams' likely run for Congress, the GOP’s referendum retreat on redistricting, and why two new “competitive” districts might actually be R+2 and R+6 by design. Plus: a wild lawsuit to overturn SB54 and oust elected officials from office, a trio of eyebrow-raising Utah County GOP resolutions, and could Sen. Mike Lee be eyeing the top spot at the Heritage Foundation? Listen and subscribe to the show [at this link](https://share.transistor.fm/s/ad556518?ref=utahpolitics.news). ****Producing independent journalism isn't cheap.** If you'd like to sponsor this podcast, let's talk. [Send an email ](mailto:podcast@utahpoliticalwatch.news) ### The Heritage Foundation is wobbling. Could a Utah Republican right the ship? URL: https://utahpolitics.news/the-heritage-foundation-is-wobbling-could-a-utah-republican-right-the-ship/ Last updated: 2025-12-01T19:16:22.000Z ## ⏰ Tick Tock **56** \- Days until candidate filing is open for the 2026 midterm elections (1/2/2026) **74** \- Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026). **361** \- Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) **1,096** \- Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) --- ****Help us reach 100** Utah Political Watch is reader-funded. We need 100 new paid subscribers to keep this work going. We're independent. We don't pull punches. We answer only to readers—not corporations, billionaires, or political agendas. ****Fewer than 1% of our readers support this work.** Be different. Support journalism that holds power accountable. [SUBSCRIBE - BE ONE OF 100 ](#/portal/signup) ## 📰 Above the fold The Heritage Foundation — the influential conservative group behind Project 2025 — [is in turmoil](https://www.wired.com/story/gop-civil-war-over-nick-fuentes-antisemitism/?ref=utahpolitics.news) after president Kevin Roberts [defended Tucker Carlson’s softball interview](https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/politics/nick-fuentes-tucker-carlson-heritage-foundation-kevin-roberts?ref=utahpolitics.news) with white supremacist and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes. [Employees are reportedly in “open revolt”](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/11/06/heritage-foundation-tucker-carlson/?ref=utahpolitics.news) after Roberts posted his defense on social media. Several staffers have called on him to resign, and multiple members of the group’s antisemitism task force resigned in protest. Why it matters: Heritage helps set the conservative agenda. If Roberts exits, the choice of his successor would reshape the movement — and could ripple back to Utah politics. If Roberts leaves or is forced out, there’s a prominent Utah Republican who might want the job. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Utah County GOP’s to‑do list: Sink the Dignity Index, swat CO2 rules, back Phil Lyman's 2024 do-over URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-county-gops-to-do-list-sink-the-dignity-index-swat-co2-rules-back-phil-lymans-2024-do-over/ Last updated: 2025-12-01T19:16:35.000Z On Saturday, Utah County Republican Party leaders will vote on two resolutions aimed squarely at hot‑button fights: one denounces efforts to rate political speech — including the University of Utah’s state‑funded “Dignity Index” — as an “assault on liberty,” and the other urges lawmakers to reject federal carbon regulations while echoing climate‑change skeptic talking points. ****Help us reach 100** Utah Political Watch is reader-funded. We need 100 new paid subscribers to keep this work going. We're independent. We don't pull punches. We answer only to readers—not corporations, billionaires, or political agendas. ****Fewer than 1% of our readers support this work.** Be different. Support journalism that holds power accountable. [SUBSCRIBE - BE ONE OF 100 ](#/portal/signup) [The first proposed resolution](https://ucrp.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/RESOLUTION-DEFENDING-FREEDOM-OF-SPEECH-AND-CONDEMNING-THE-RANKING-OF-SPEECH-BY-PURPORTED-DIGNITY.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news) takes aim at the [“Dignity Index,”](https://www.dignity.us/?ref=utahpolitics.news) an initiative [spearheaded by Tim Shriver](https://attheu.utah.edu/events/the-power-dignity-tim-shriver-forges-new-path-through-the-walls-that-divide-us/?ref=utahpolitics.news) that scores political rhetoric based on how dignified or contemptuous it is. The program is housed at the University of Utah, and costs the school $400,000 annually. Although the UCRP text does not name the Dignity Index, it condemns “attempts to rank, score, or index speech according to subjective notions of ‘dignity,’ ‘decency,’ or ‘harm.’” “Any system, public or private, which ranks, scores, or filters speech based on subjective assessments of dignity, harm, or social value is hereby condemned as an assault on liberty and an invitation to authoritarianism,” the resolution reads. [In a Facebook video last month](https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1AwEKSvL7S/), Utah County Republican Party Chair Cristy Henshaw objected after seeing college students hand out Dignity Index flyers at an Orem City Council debate. “This scares the heck out of me,” Henshaw said in the video. “This is a terrifying notion for me to say that, not that everybody should respect dignity, no problem with that. I think kindness is a matter of character, but a rating system at which you let people rate other people is a terrifying thing. This can go in so many directions sideways.” She added: “It is so strange that truth is not on this list. It’s not on here, so it doesn’t matter if you don’t tell the truth; it doesn’t matter if you lie. It just matters if you’re nice.” Henshaw said that the Orem debate was not the ultimate catalyst for Saturday's resolution. "I've been aware of this idea for a while, but the Orem debate was the first time I had seen it out in public, and that was surprising," Henshaw said in an email to Utah Political Watch. The proposed resolution [echoes conservative critiques](https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/10/20/dignity-index-holds-leadership-summit-in-utah-despite-controversy-among-conservatives/?ref=utahpolitics.news) that cast the Dignity Index as “diversity equity and inclusion under another name” under another name, and accuse it of being a tool to chill conservative speech. Tom Rosshirt, a co-creator of the Dignity Index pushed back on those criticisms. "There is a hidden threat to free speech that we’re not talking about – and that’s treating each other with contempt when we disagree," Rosshirt said in an email. "Contempt suppresses speech. That’s its purpose – to keep the other side quiet or keep them from being heard. That kills the conversation. That’s why Congress can’t keep the government open – because they treat each other with contempt, so they can’t talk to each other, so they can’t solve problems together," Rosshirt added. "Appealing for dignity does not inhibit free speech; it allows free speech to flourish." [The second resolution](https://ucrp.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/UCRP%5FCarbon%5FDefense%5FResolution-1.0.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news) urges Utah lawmakers to fight federal environmental rules, arguing that more atmospheric CO₂ is beneficial to plants and life on Earth. It asserts that carbon regulations are “increasingly being used as a mechanism for political and social control.” The resolution mirrors decades-old talking points from climate-denial campaigns funded by fossil fuel interests, and parrots misinformation about climate change [pushed by climate skeptics](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/climate-skeptics-want-more-co2/?ref=utahpolitics.news) going [back to the 1990s](https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2020/09/video-origin-of-the-myth-that-global-warming-good-for-agriculture/?ref=utahpolitics.news). The resolution calls for legislative leaders to “protect Utah’s sovereign right to manage and develop carbon-based energy resources within state borders and federal lands within the state.” A third resolution on Saturday’s agenda is stemming from former gubernatorial candidate Phil Lyman’s ongoing effort to undo his 2024 primary election loss to Spencer Cox, and unsupported claims that non-citizens are casting ballots in Utah elections. The proposal, authored by Natalie Clawson, Lyman’s running mate during his failed gubernatorial bid, claims that Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson is violating the 1993 National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002 by refusing to turn over the state’s full voter file to Lyman and the U.S. Department of Justice under the Trump administration. Utah’s current voter registration system withholds access to voter records marked as “private” and “withheld.” [Lyman is suing in federal court](https://ksltv.com/politics-elections/lyman-files-new-lawsuit-against-lt-gov-over-voter-registration-information/783071/?ref=utahpolitics.news) to force the state to release the entire statewide voter registration list so that he can assess “whether Utah is employing voter list maintenance best practices” and determine if “election officials are protecting his fundamental right to vote.” The resolution also attacks Henderson for denying a request from the Department of Justice to produce a copy of Utah’s voter registration database, including those records shielded from the public. Instead, she only [turned over records](https://www.abc4.com/news/politics/inside-utah-politics/lt-gov-henderson-shares-utah-voter-records-after-doj-letter-questions-maintenance-of-voter-registration-rolls/?ref=utahpolitics.news) that are publicly available. The proposal also references Rep. Karianne Lisonbee’s dubious claim that [she has obtained proof](https://utahpolitics.news/a-utah-lawmaker-claims-to-have-proof-non-citizens-are-voting-why-wont-she-share-it-with-election-officials/) that non-citizens are voting in Utah’s elections. She has repeatedly refused to share that information publicly. The resolution calls on Henderson to release the full voter list to Lyman and the Trump administration. [Another federal lawsuit](https://utahpolitics.news/phil-lyman-supporters-sue-to-boot-cox-curtis-and-brown-from-office-replace-them-with-republican-convention-winners-instead/) claims that Utah’s nomination system allowing candidates to pursue the Republican nomination through the caucus and convention system or by collecting signatures is unconstitutional. The plaintiffs are asking a judge to kick Cox, Henderson and other Republicans who won the 2024 GOP primary election after collecting signatures out of office and replace them with Lyman, Clawson and others who won the delegate vote at convention. Party leaders will consider all three measures during their meeting [Saturday morning at Lehi Jr. High School](https://ucrp.org/county-central-committee/?ref=utahpolitics.news). ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### An election instead of a coronation in HD14 URL: https://utahpolitics.news/an-election-instead-of-a-coronation-in-hd14/ Last updated: 2025-12-01T19:17:04.000Z ## ⏰ Tick Tock **57** \- Days until candidate filing is open for the 2026 midterm elections (1/2/2026) **75** \- Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026). **362** \- Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) **1,097** \- Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) --- ****Independent Journalism Can't Be Bought or Silenced** No corporate ownership. No billionaire backers. Just accountability reporting that makes powerful people uncomfortable. ****Start with our free newsletter** or ****go all-in with a paid subscription** and get full access and the knowledge you're funding fearless journalism. [Subscribe ](#/portal/signup) ## 📰 Above the fold Rep. Karianne Lisonbee [says she won’t seek re‑election](https://www.ksl.com/article/51401204?ref=utahpolitics.news) next year, and she’s doing it before the candidate filing window opens—timing that prevents her from clearing the field for a hand‑picked successor, which is the tactic that first sent her to the Capitol. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Press Room replay: Inside the bid to overturn Utah elections and oust Spencer Cox — from our subscriber‑exclusive livestream URL: https://utahpolitics.news/press-room-replay-inside-the-bid-to-overturn-utah-elections-and-oust-spencer-cox-from-our-subscriber-exclusive-livestream/ Last updated: 2025-12-01T19:17:19.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/Press-Room-logo-1.jpg) In this replay of our 11/03/2025 subscriber-only livestream, we break down the Lyman-aligned federal push to overturn Utah election results by attacking SB 54, the latest Mike Lee outrage cycle over a manufactured controversy, and the fraud/domestic-incident allegations facing former Iron County GOP chair Blake Cousins. We also set the table for the next moves in Utah’s redistricting fight and the 2026 chessboard with Ben McAdams edging toward another run. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### What you missed from our subscriber-only livestream URL: https://utahpolitics.news/what-you-missed-from-our-subscriber-only-livestream/ Last updated: 2025-12-01T19:17:34.000Z ## ⏰ Tick Tock The 2025 municipal elections are today. Get your ballots in by the time polls close or they won't count. Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **77** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **364** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,099** --- ****This Morning Memo is usually for paid subscribers. We're unlocking it today so you can see what you're missing.** Like it? Support it. Become a paid subscriber or make a donation. This costs money to do well, and reader support is how we stay independent and fearless. [Support our work ](#/portal/signup) ## 📰 Above the fold We hosted our first "Press Room" live chat for paid subscribers of Utah Political Watch. Here are the key takeaways on Utah politics and policy you should know this morning. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/11/Press-Room-logo-1.jpg) **First up:** [a fringe lawsuit](https://utahpolitics.news/phil-lyman-supporters-sue-to-boot-cox-curtis-and-brown-from-office-replace-them-with-republican-convention-winners-instead/) backed by Phil Lyman supporters seeks to throw out the 2024 election results and install their slate. The complaint asks a federal judge to remove Gov. Spencer Cox, Sen. John Curtis and Attorney General Derek Brown, who gathered signatures, and replace them with Phil Lyman, Trent Staggs and Frank Mylar, who won the delegate vote at the GOP convention. - The complaint runs 93 pages and includes more than 90 exhibits. - Multiple federal judges have recused. One participant called it a “spicy one.” - Not in my original story: discredited COVID conspiracy promoter Richard Fleming filed an amicus brief supporting the plaintiffs. ****If you’re not yet a subscriber, here’s what you’re missing**: live strategy chats, early scoops and analysis on Utah races and policy fights, clear election-law explainers, and members-only insights into our reporting. [Upgrade to paid ](#/portal/signup) **Municipal races to watch:** - Sandy mayor: Incumbent Monica Zoltansky vs. Cyndi Sharkey, who has notable GOP backing. - Layton mayor: Trevor Lee Faust faces charges for allegedly threatening his wife. If he wins, it could create an immediate conflict of interest. Court date: Nov. 25. **Utah’s new election rules may hit rural voters hardest:** - Ballots must be received by the close of polls to count—no postmark grace. Fewer drop boxes in rural counties could compound the problem. - In the 2024 GOP primary between Celeste Maloy and Colby Jenkins, Iron County voters saw ballots tossed when mail routed through Las Vegas missed the postmark deadline despite timely drop-offs. - The changes risk disenfranchising GOP-leaning rural voters. - One participant called the rules “security theater” driven by election-denial politics. **On Prop. 4:** Republicans are working to repeal Utah’s anti-gerrymandering law and are testing messaging in case they secure enough signatures for the ballot. - Early GOP pitch: Prop. 4 “gerrymanders a seat for Democrats.” Expect that frame to anchor their campaign. **Redistricting update:** the judge in the case is expected to select a new congressional map by next week. - Democrat Ben McAdams is signaling a run: he updated his FEC filing to start fundraising, and a centrist PAC has stepped up a “recruit McAdams” push. - Sen. Dan McCay says he won’t seek re-election to the Legislature if his wife wins Riverton mayor. He’s seriously eyeing a 2026 U.S. House race; he floated a challenge to McAdams in 2020. **Quick ask for subscribers:** [email me](mailto:schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news) with the best day/time for our next livestream. ### Phil Lyman supporters sue to boot Cox, Curtis and Brown from office, replace them with Republican convention winners instead URL: https://utahpolitics.news/phil-lyman-supporters-sue-to-boot-cox-curtis-and-brown-from-office-replace-them-with-republican-convention-winners-instead/ Last updated: 2025-12-01T19:17:48.000Z A small cadre of Utah GOP dissidents and others filed a federal lawsuit that alleges a sweeping racketeering-and-election-fraud scheme to keep “signature-gathering” candidates on the ballot under SB54—effectively nullifying the party’s 2024 convention results. The filing targets nearly a dozen officials and even a Utah Supreme Court justice, and asks a judge to eject Gov. Spencer Cox, Sen. John Curtis and Attorney General Derek Brown from office and install convention picks Trent Staggs, Phil Lyman and Frank Mylar to serve out the remainder of their terms. ****Independent Journalism Can't Be Bought or Silenced** No corporate ownership. No billionaire backers. Just accountability reporting that makes powerful people uncomfortable. ****Start with our free newsletter** or ****go all-in with a paid subscription** and get full access and the knowledge you're funding fearless journalism. [Subscribe ](#/portal/signup) At the center of the case is Utah’s hybrid nomination law, SB54, which lets candidates qualify either through the convention or by collecting signatures. The plaintiffs—fringe-aligned activists who have long opposed SB54—argue party bylaws permit nominations only through the convention and that giving candidates a “second chance” via signatures violates the Utah GOP’s associational rights. The suit further alleges Cox and Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson manipulated certifications to benefit signature candidates over convention-only rivals. The plaintiffs include a pair of Lyman allies and other fringe activists: - Tracie Halvorsen, who led failed efforts—a referendum, ballot initiative and lawsuit—to [undo Utah’s new state flag](https://www.ksl.com/article/50876428/initiative-to-overturn-utah-flag-fails-cox-confident-in-states-case-as-court-battle-begins?ref=utahpolitics.news), and who also lost a bid for Salt Lake County GOP chair earlier this year. - Sophie Anderson, a Lyman confidant who, after the 2020 election, [relentlessly promoted false election‑fraud claims](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-court-blocks-election-deniers-request-for-2020-voting-machine-data/). Anderson was a close advisor for [Lyman's unsuccessful bid](https://utahpolitics.news/phil-lyman-announces-surprise-bid-for-utah-gop-chair/) to become Utah GOP Chairman earlier this year. Other plaintiffs include two unaffiliated voters who argue that allowing signature‑gathering candidates violated their right to a “fair” election; one says he abstains from voting as a protest against Utah’s election laws. The suit claims that the racketeering scheme “nullified” the results of the 2024 Utah Republican Conventions, where several candidates secured enough support from delegates to either win the nomination outright or advance to a primary election, but eventually were defeated by opponents who gathered signatures: - Lyman and Staggs received enough delegate support to win the party’s nomination outright, but were defeated in the primary election by Cox and Curtis, who had qualified for the ballot through signature gathering. - Mylar won the convention vote, but Rachel Terry secured enough support from delegates to force a primary. Derek Brown collected signatures to qualify for the primary ballot, and eventually won the nomination and the election. - State School Board candidates Kris Kimball and Cari Bartholomew easily prevailed in their county convention elections, but were defeated in the primary election by Molly Hart and Randy Boothe, who collected signatures. [Cox recently tapped Hart](https://www.schools.utah.gov/publicrelations/%5Fpublicrelations%5F/%5F2025%5F/USBE%20News%20Release%20-%20Dr.%20Molly%20Hart%20Named%20State%20Superintendent%20of%20Public%20Instruction.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news) to be Utah’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The suit accuses Henderson of election fraud by allegedly creating “counterfeit” ballots and results for the primary election by including candidates who were defeated in the convention. The lawsuit also rehashes Lyman’s [numerous failed lawsuits](https://utahpolitics.news/phil-lymans-last-ditch-effort-to-undo-his-election-loss-hits-another-roadblock/) in the wake of his primary election loss, where he tried to cast doubt on the legitimacy of Cox’s candidacy by claiming—[claims that courts repeatedly rejected](https://utahpolitics.news/supreme-court-setback-phil-lymans-bid-to-kick-spencer-cox-off-the-ballot-rejected-over-filing-error/)—that Cox was unable to collect enough signatures to be included on the primary ballot or that his petitions were somehow fraudulent. All of those arguments were rejected, including twice by the United States Supreme Court. The suit also claims that Utah Supreme Court Justice Matthew Durrant illegally dismissed one of Lyman’s legal challenges. The suit also repeats Lyman’s stance that reports from the state auditor and a legislative audit support his claims that Cox did not legitimately qualify for the ballot, despite those reports saying the exact opposite. Another part of the sweeping conspiracy alleged in the court filing names several companies and organizations that stood to benefit financially from the scheme. They include signature-gathering companies, political consulting firms, real estate and healthcare interests, and companies affiliated with Republican Party leaders. “The unconstitutional application of Utah election laws creates a feedback loop that perpetuates the donors’ influence,” the suit reads. “This system ensures that candidates reliant on donor funding, such as Cox, Curtis and Brown, remain beholden to these financial backers once elected.” “To execute this election scheme and maintain control, a complicit executive department must be willing to break the law by overseeing fraudulent processes while actors engage in a signature-gathering scheme to manipulate candidate qualifications. A judicial department unlawfully denies challenges to preserve the facade, supported by a political party chairs and vice chairs who cancels dissenters to stifle opposition. The legislative department remains inert, avoiding accountability, and a state Attorney General either refrains from charging election fraud or imposes lenient penalties, ensuring the system remains unchecked.” The suit also airs a personal grievance of Halvorsen’s after she was kicked out of a Republican Party Central Committee meeting following the 2024 election. Halvorsen claims that she was there to inform attendees of “serious election offenses.” She left after police officers were summoned. As a remedy, the suit asks the court to invalidate the 2024 primary and general elections for Utah Governor and Lieutenant Governor, U.S. Senate, Attorney General and the Utah State School Board District 13 election. Plaintiffs want those offices declared vacant, and for the court to order that the convention-winning candidates be certified in the upcoming 2026 midterms to carry out the remainder of their terms—“as that is what should have happened in the first place.” ### Utah GOP's Prop. 4 repeal hits the road: Seven hearings scheduled tonight URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-gops-prop-4-repeal-hits-the-road-seven-hearings-scheduled-tonight/ Last updated: 2025-12-01T19:18:04.000Z ## ⏰ Tick Tock The 2025 municipal elections are tomorrow. Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **78** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **365** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,100** --- ****Give the gift of accountability** Know someone who's tired of bootlickers and corporate-owned news? Give them a gift subscription to Utah Political Watch. Independent journalism isn't a luxury—it's essential. And right now, fewer than 1% of our readers are carrying the load for everyone else. A gift subscription means one more person supporting our work holding elected officials accountable. [Buy a gift subscription ](https://utahpolitics.news/gift-subscription-2/) ## 📰 Above the fold Tonight at 6 p.m. is the first public test of the Utah GOP’s push to repeal Proposition 4—the state’s anti‑gerrymandering measure—and to set up a 2026 ballot fight over redistricting. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### A pretzel of financial shenanigans URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/podcast-a-pretzel-of-financial-shenanigans/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T18:57:30.000Z This week in Utah politics: dark money, taxpayer funded PR campaign and a massive homeless campus. ****Producing independent journalism isn't cheap.** If you'd like to sponsor this podcast, let's talk. [Send an email ](mailto:podcast@utahpoliticalwatch.news) - [Mega “service campus” for the homeless near SLC airport](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/us/politics/utah-trump-homeless-campus.html?ref=utahpolitics.news): 16 acres, up to 1,300 beds, involuntary commitments, forced treatment. Civil liberties alarms vs. “we have to do something.” Cox does damage control via a friendly outlet, swatting Nazi comparisons. - [House PR machine on your dime](https://utahpolitics.news/is-utahs-house-speaker-using-taxpayer-money-to-target-judge-in-gerrymandering-case/): Speaker Schultz’s glossy videos produced by a paid outside firm (Northbound Strategy \~$6k/month, >$215k since ’23). Posted first to his personal accounts, then amplified by official channels. ROI? Shrug. Also: his video flirting with threats against the judge. - [Dark money creeps local](https://utahpolitics.news/pac-linked-to-sen-mike-lees-political-network-jumps-into-utah-school-board-race/): National Liberty Champions PAC drops into an Alpine school board race. The Mike Lee orbit—Thomas Datwyler (treasurer), Dan Hauser (L4 Consulting, lives in-district)—connects the dots. Same network fueled attacks in UT-2 primary via Constitutional Conservatives PAC. - [Ogden City Council shenanigans](https://utahpolitics.news/pac-routed-14-200-from-christian-nationalist-pastor-to-ogden-city-council-candidate-in-scheme-to-get-around-donation-limits/): Candidate takes \~$15k from “Taxpayers PAC,” blowing past $1,500 limits. Money trace: AZ Christian nationalist pastor/funder → PAC → candidate → consultant. The consultant? He set up the PAC routing the cash back to himself. Illegal overage likely returned. - Conspiracy-to-policy pipeline: Gold-as-currency schemes pushed by fringe “experts,” and yes—another chemtrails bill incoming. Heads up: Election Day is Tuesday. If your ballot’s still on the counter, fix that. Listen and subscribe to the show [at this link](https://share.transistor.fm/s/ad556518?ref=utahpolitics.news). ### The time neo-Nazis had a radio show in Utah URL: https://utahpolitics.news/the-time-neo-nazis-had-a-radio-show-in-utah/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T16:29:02.000Z ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **4** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **81** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **368** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,103** --- ****Independent Journalism Can't Be Bought or Silenced** No corporate ownership. No billionaire backers. Just accountability reporting that makes powerful people uncomfortable. ****Start with our free newsletter** or ****go all-in with a paid subscription** and get full access and the knowledge you're funding fearless journalism. [Subscribe ](#/portal/signup) ## 📰 Above the fold [Yesterday’s story](https://utahpolitics.news/pac-routed-14-200-from-christian-nationalist-pastor-to-ogden-city-council-candidate-in-scheme-to-get-around-donation-limits/) about an Arizona Christian nationalist pastor bankrolling an Ogden city council candidate echoes a Utah episode from nearly 40 years ago: a follower of the Idaho‑based Aryan Nations tried to recruit here via a radio call‑in show. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### PAC routed $14,200 from Arizona Christian nationalist pastor to Ogden City Council candidate in scheme to get around donation limits URL: https://utahpolitics.news/pac-routed-14-200-from-christian-nationalist-pastor-to-ogden-city-council-candidate-in-scheme-to-get-around-donation-limits/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T16:30:04.000Z An Ogden City Council candidate accepted $14,200 in PAC-routed contributions tied to a far-right Arizona pastor, in an apparent effort to get around Ogden’s strict campaign donation limits using a convoluted workaround according to public filings and city officials. ****Stories like this don't write themselves.** Hours chasing leads. Digging into public records. Following paper trails. Verifying sources and information. Connecting dots. This is exactly the kind of journalism you support makes possible. If you think this work matters, become a paid subscriber or make a donation. Independent journalism that holds power accountable isn't free—but it should be free from corporate influence. [Become a subscriber](#/portal/signup) [Make a donation](https://utahpolitics.news/tip-jar/) On his most recent financial disclosure, District 1 candidate Jase Reyneveld, who is running for the open Ogden City Council seat against Flor Lopez, reported three donations from a political action committee dubbed “Taxpayers PAC” totaling $14,200\. Ogden City caps campaign contributions to city council candidates of $1,500 per person. According to Ogden City officials, Reyneveld’s campaign was attempting to argue that a political action committee was legally not a “person,” and therefore not subject to the $1,500 limit. After Ogden officials informed him that Utah election law specifically includes PACs in the definition of “person,” Reyneveld agreed to return the amount over the cap. Public records suggest the donations from the PAC were part of a scheme to route money into Reyneveld’s campaign above the legal limit in a way to obscure the original source—a far-right Arizona pastor with business ties to Reyneveld’s father. Those donations then paid the political consultants running Reyneveld’s campaign. Those same consultants also set up the PAC in the first place. On October 3, public filings show that [David Reece](https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-reece-29291a165/?ref=utahpolitics.news) made a $15,000 donation to Taxpayers PAC. The committee then made three separate donations of $7,200, $3,000 and $4,000 to Jase Reyneveld’s campaign in the span of 9 days from October 6 to October 14. Reece is a Christian nationalist and pastor of the [Puritan Reformed Church](https://www.puritanphx.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) in Phoenix, Arizona. He preaches that Christian men, not women, have a “duty” to build up wealth in order to [take public office and “rule.”](https://www.peoplefor.org/rightwingwatch/david-reece-says-christian-men-must-build-wealth-take-public-office-and-rule?ref=utahpolitics.news) He also argues that [government should enforce the Ten Commandments](https://www.peoplefor.org/rightwingwatch/far-right-pastor-david-reece-says-ten-commandments-should-be-enforced-state?ref=utahpolitics.news) and that anyone who wants to become a citizen of the U.S. should be required to take a “covenant” to uphold an official religion. Additionally, Reece runs [Reece Fund](https://reecefund.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news), an investment firm to back “Christian companies,” and owns several companies, including [Armored Republic](https://www.ar500armor.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news), which produces body armor. Reece is also listed as the president of Suncoast Glass Holdings, which was incorporated in Arizona in 2024\. According to business records, one of the directors of that corporation is Daniel Reyneveld. There’s little information about what Suncoast Glass Holdings does. Articles of incorporation [filed with the Arizona Corporation Commission](https://ecorp.azcc.gov/BusinessSearch/BusinessFilings?ref=utahpolitics.news) say that the company “is formed for the glory of God according to scripture alone, and to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the Arizona Business Corporation Act.” The website for Jase Reyneveld’s business, [Alpine Gold Ogden](https://alpinegoldogden.com/about?ref=utahpolitics.news), notes that Dan Reyneveld is Jase’s father and lists him as an “Advisory Board member & investor.” Business records also show Daniel Reyneveld is named as a member of “Sovereign Financial Investments, LLC,” which also lists Jase Reyneveld as an officer. Jase Reyneveld did not respond to questions from Utah Political Watch about whether he was attempting to obscure Reece’s donation to his campaign by funneling it through Taxpayers PAC. Reece also did not respond to questions. Reyneveld’s disclosure filings show he paid [Red Mountain Direct](https://www.redmountaindirect.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news), a Layton-based political consulting firm, a total of $29,434 for campaign consulting, yard signs, printing and mailers since July. The founder of Red Mountain Direct is Zach Lautenschlager, who is also listed as the president of Taxpayers PAC, the organization that routed the donations from Reece to Reyneveld’s campaign. Lautenschlager did not answer questions about the unusual financial structure from Utah Political Watch. If you remove the illegal PAC donations to his campaign, Reyneveld’s effort is almost entirely self funded. So far, he loaned nearly $17,000 to his operation. His father donated $1,500 in October and another $1,500 came from the firm he co-owns with his father. So far, his campaign raised $850 from sources not connected to his family, and he may retain up to $1,500 of the PAC’s contributions under the city’s per-person cap. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Utah election law requires ad disclosures. The penalty for ignoring it? Basically none. URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-election-law-requires-ad-disclosures-the-penalty-for-ignoring-it-basically-none/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T16:30:41.000Z ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **5** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **82** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **369** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,104** --- ****Give the gift of accountability** Know someone who's tired of bootlickers and corporate-owned news? Give them a gift subscription to Utah Political Watch. Independent journalism isn't a luxury—it's essential. And right now, fewer than 1% of our readers are carrying the load for everyone else. A gift subscription means one more person supporting our work holding elected officials accountable. [Buy a gift subscription ](https://utahpolitics.news/gift-subscription-2/) ## 📰 Above the fold Utah law requires political ads and mailers to include disclosure of who paid for them and whether a candidate authorized the messaging. The penalty for skipping it? Practically none—even when a PAC and the House Speaker get involved in a local school board race. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### PAC linked to Sen. Mike Lee's political network jumps into Utah school board race URL: https://utahpolitics.news/pac-linked-to-sen-mike-lees-political-network-jumps-into-utah-school-board-race/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T18:12:31.000Z A political action committee tied to Sen. Mike Lee’s political network jumped into a local Utah school board race last week with attack mailers and texts loaded with culture-war claims—and an embarrassing typo: it misspelled the candidate’s name. ****Independent Journalism Can't Be Bought or Silenced** No corporate ownership. No billionaire backers. Just accountability reporting that makes powerful people uncomfortable. ****Start with our free newsletter** or ****go all-in with a paid subscription** and get full access and the knowledge you're funding fearless journalism. [Subscribe ](#/portal/signup) Liberty Champions PAC is targeting Stacy Bateman in the [Aspen Peaks School Board race](https://ballotpedia.org/Aspen%5FPeaks%5FSchool%5FDistrict,%5FUtah,%5Felections%5F%282025%29?ref=utahpolitics.news#Candidates%5Fand%5Fresults) and pushing her opponent, Steve Sparti. The apparent link between the PAC and this local race is Dan Hauser—Lee’s former senior adviser—who left the Senate payroll last year. Public records show Hauser lives in Alpine within the Aspen Peaks School District, though not in the area where voters are choosing between Bateman and Sparti. Liberty Champions’ late-entry attacks hit familiar conservative talking points: critical race theory, pride flags, transgender athletes, and property taxes. The mailers urge voters to choose Sparti. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/10/34WuDa8v3xcG8WyJjd2l1Vh9TIQ.JPEG.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/10/2025.10.29-Bateman-01.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/10/2025.10.29-Bateman-02.png) When asked about the attack ads, Thomas Datwyler, the PAC’s treasurer, initially denied involvement, claiming the address on the mailers “is not associated with us at all.” Hours later, Liberty Champions filed state paperwork listing Datwyler as its primary officer. Datwyler also serves as treasurer for Lee’s campaign, his leadership PAC, and a joint fundraising committee that raises money for the Utah Republican Party, and he appears as treasurer on the Utah GOP’s federal filings. Liberty Champions sat out federal races entirely during the 2024 election cycle. Federal Election Commission filings show its spending went to administrative costs. Most of that money went to L4 Consulting LLC, a company incorporated in Wyoming in 2022\. Liberty Champions paid L4 $33,500 in 2023 for “PAC strategy consulting.” L4 has no website or social media presence, and searches tie it to a Cedar City address [used by a law firm](https://kkoslawyers.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) that helps set up LLCs and corporations. Multiple out-of-state registrations trace back to that address. Despite the opacity, L4 Consulting is headed up by Hauser. [On his LinkedIn profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/hauserdan/?ref=utahpolitics.news), he lists himself as L4’s president and names Liberty Champions as a client. Separately, he served as a senior adviser to Lee from September 2023 to July 2024, earning $93,958.21, according to Senate disclosures. Since 2023, L4 has taken in nearly $300,000 for consulting from a handful of groups. About two-thirds came from the [Constitutional Conservatives super PAC](https://www.opensecrets.org/outside-spending/detail/2024?cmte=C00833566&tab=targeted%5Fcandidates&ref=utahpolitics.news), which also lists Datwyler as treasurer. In 2024, that PAC [spent more than $450,000](https://www.opensecrets.org/outside-spending/detail/2024?cmte=C00833566&tab=targeted%5Fcandidates&ref=utahpolitics.news) supporting Colby Jenkins’ unsuccessful primary challenge to Republican Rep. Celeste Maloy. Lee endorsed and campaigned for Jenkins during the race. FEC disclosures also show L4 has also received just over $82,000 from Lee’s campaign and his affiliated leadership PAC. Hauser did not respond to questions about his involvement with the Liberty Champions mailers. When Datwyler was informed of the apparent connections between Liberty Champions, Hauser and the Aspen Peaks School Board race, he said he had not spoken to Hauser recently. “Interesting. I honestly don’t know,” Datwyler said in an email. “I will call him and see!” Datwyler did not respond to follow-up questions about why he was unaware of Liberty Champions’ activities when first contacted. Utah places few restrictions on how PACs message voters, but ads that “expressly advocate” for or against a candidate must say who paid for them and whether a candidate or committee authorized them. The texts and mailers disclose they were paid for by Liberty Champions, but do not state whether they were authorized by a candidate. The day after the Liberty Champions text, Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz also sent a text blast endorsing Sparti. It also did not say whether Sparti authorized it. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/10/2025.10.29-Schultz-Text.png) Schultz and Datwyler did not respond when asked why those disclosures were omitted. Bateman criticized the last-minute attacks as a “smear campaign.” “The fact that they spelled my name incorrectly is indicative of the amount of research they put into finding facts. This propaganda is unacceptable-our students are not pawns in a political game. The response from the majority of community members has been that smear campaigns have no place in Lehi,” Bateman said in an email. Sparti did not respond to a request for comment. It’s not clear what impact, if any, these last-minute hits will have. Bateman led the August primary election with 42.5% to Sparti’s 28.3%. During the 2022 U.S. Senate race, Liberty Champions’ largest donor [was Timothy Mellon](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2022/11/05/super-pacs-spent-millions/?ref=utahpolitics.news), the heir to the Mellon banking dynasty, who gave $500,000n. [Mellon is behind the “anonymous” $130 million donation](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/timothy-mellon-donor-pay-u-s-troops-government-shutdown/?ref=utahpolitics.news) that President Donald Trump said would be used to pay troops during the shutdown. [The New York Times reports](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/25/us/politics/timothy-mellon-donation-troops.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) that Mellon’s self-published 2015 autobiography contained “several incendiary passages about race,” including calling social safety net programs “slavery redux.” An investigation by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) discovered documents in the trial of Sam Bankman Fried that appeared to link the convicted crypto fraudster to a $100,000 donation to Liberty Champions funneled through a nonprofit organization to help boost Lee during the 2022 election. ![CTA Image](https://www.utahpoliticalwatch.news/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Burgess Owens demands boycott over Bad Bunny's Super Bowl show URL: https://utahpolitics.news/burgess-owens-demands-boycott-over-bad-bunnys-super-bowl-show/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T16:33:18.000Z ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **6** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **83** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **370** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,105** --- ****Give the gift of accountability** Know someone who's tired of bootlickers and corporate-owned news? Give them a gift subscription to Utah Political Watch. Independent journalism isn't a luxury—it's essential. And right now, fewer than 1% of our readers are carrying the load for everyone else. A gift subscription means one more person supporting our work holding elected officials accountable. [Buy a gift subscription ](https://utahpolitics.news/gift-subscription-2/) ## 📰 Above the fold The ginned-up controversy about Bad Bunny headlining the Super Bowl halftime show gives Utah GOP Rep. Burgess Owens another chance to attack one of his favorite targets - the NFL. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Utah Democrats don't just lose-they tie with 'nobody' URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-democrats-dont-just-lose-they-tie-with-nobody/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T16:33:52.000Z ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **7** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **84** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **371** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,106** --- ****Independent Journalism Can't Be Bought or Silenced** No corporate ownership. No billionaire backers. Just accountability reporting that makes powerful people uncomfortable. ****Start with our free newsletter** or ****go all-in with a paid subscription** and get full access and the knowledge you're funding fearless journalism. [Subscribe ](#/portal/signup) ## 📰 Above the fold Last week, [we showed you polling](https://utahpolitics.news/how-toxic-is-the-democratic-brand-in-utah/) demonstrating just how toxic the Democratic Party's brand is in Utah. That same polling reveals the damage runs deeper: Utahns trust Republicans to run the state by a 3-to-1 margin, and only one in five voters thinks Democrats would do a better job. The Democratic brand isn't just struggling—it's fundamentally broken. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Is Utah's House Speaker using taxpayer money to target judge in gerrymandering case? URL: https://utahpolitics.news/is-utahs-house-speaker-using-taxpayer-money-to-target-judge-in-gerrymandering-case/ Last updated: 2025-12-01T19:02:49.000Z ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **8** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **85** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **372** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,107** --- ****This Morning Memo is usually for paid subscribers. We're unlocking it today so you can see what you're missing.** Like it? Support it. Become a paid subscriber or make a donation. This costs money to do well, and reader support is how we stay independent and fearless. [Support our work ](#/portal/signup) ## 📰 Above the fold Utah taxpayers are likely funding House Speaker Mike Schultz's attack on the judge overseeing the state's gerrymandering lawsuit. In a slickly-produced social media video posted Sunday, Schultz accuses Third District Judge Dianna Gibson of "judicial activism" and "legislating from the bench" for her ruling that struck down Utah's congressional maps. The video appears to be part of a taxpayer funded PR operation the legislature runs through Schultz's personal social media accounts—blurring the line between official legislative communications and partisan messaging. > Utahns deserve better than out-of-state liberal money trying to rewrite our laws. Watch below to see what’s really going on in Utah's redistricting case. [pic.twitter.com/Wgga0I9Wzd](https://t.co/Wgga0I9Wzd?ref=utahpolitics.news) > > — Mike Schultz (@mschultz\_12) [October 26, 2025](https://twitter.com/mschultz%5F12/status/1982537487139614995?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) “Utahns are right to question why one unelected judge is considering throwing out our congressional maps. And even worse, she’s infringing upon the separation of powers by selecting a new map,” Schultz says in the direct-to-camera video. “That’s the very definition of legislating from the bench, and it’s wrong.” Schultz leaves out some important context. In August, Gibson ruled Utah lawmakers unconstitutionally repealed Proposition 4, the anti-gerrymandering ballot initiative approved by Utah voters in 2018\. She also held that the congressional map passed by lawmakers in 2021 was illegal. She is set to choose a new congressional map by Nov. 10. Schultz also accused “national liberal organizations” of being behind the lawsuit in an attempt to gerrymander the map to help Democrats win one of Utah’s seats in Congress. The video ends with what amounts to a threat. “This is judicial activism at its worst, legislating from the bench and overriding the will of the people,” Schultz says. “Utahns deserve judges who interpret the law, not rewrite it.” These videos have become a signature move from Schultz since he became Speaker. They look like personal social media content—they’re posted to his personal accounts first then amplified through official legislative channels—but taxpayers are footing the bill. Since 2023, the operation has cost $215,000 and counting. Those videos are produced by [Northbound Strategy](https://northboundutah.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news), a firm headed by Marty Carpenter and Wesley Smith, who are former top staffers from former Governor Gary Herbert’s administration. Carpenter, who served as Herbert’s chief spokesperson and campaign manager, is a former television journalist. Smith was Herbert’s federal liaison in Washington, D.C. The production tells you everything. Schultz's Sunday video follows the exact Northbound Strategy playbook: direct-to-camera narration, artfully blurred background, generic stock footage cutting between his talking points. The animated Utah House seal at the end is identical to every other video produced by Northbound Strategy. Northbound Strategy has raked in more than $850,000 from several state agencies since 2023, including the University of Utah, Weber State University and Sandy City. Despite that significant public investment, details about what taxpayers are getting for their money are scarce. When Utah Political Watch [first reported this story](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-taxpayers-shell-out-6k-monthly-for-house-speakers-videos-nobody-watches/) earlier this year, Carpenter refused to answer questions about what services his firm was providing for the Republican majority in the Utah House. The return on investment for Schultz isn’t in views or clicks. These videos usually get only a few hundred views—a cost-per-view that would make any marketing department weep. Instead, the payoff is helping Schultz build his media presence. It’s a pretty sweet deal. He gets the polish of a professional communications team, the reach of official legislative channels, all while building the authenticity of his own social media accounts at taxpayer expense. --- ## Monday morning's headlines ### Utah and the West - Utah GOP shifts gears after anti-gerrymandering repeal strategy hits constitutional wall. \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-gop-shifts-gears-after-anti-gerrymandering-repeal-strategy-hits-constitutional-wall/)\] - Utah AG backs Trump's bid to end birthright citizenship. \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-ag-backs-trumps-bid-to-end-birthright-citizenship/)\] - State leaders create plan to combat housing crisis, public comment now open. \[[KUTV](https://kutv.com/news/eye-on-your-money/state-leaders-create-plan-to-combat-housing-crisis-public-comment-now-open?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Do Utahns want a redistricting redo? \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/10/26/new-poll-finds-minority-of-utah-voters-support-independent-redistricting-commission-amid-republican-legal-battles/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Utah organization advocating for SNAP benefits in Washington D.C. as November deadline approaches. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/politics/utah-organization-advocating-for-snap-benefits-in-washington-d-c-as-november-deadline-approaches?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Ogden's homeless plan: Less affordable housing, more rent-a-cops. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/10/27/ogden-homeless-plan-housing-affordability-paid-security/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Police in Alpine investigate racist message programmed onto street sign. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/crime/police-in-alpine-investigate-racist-message-programmed-onto-street-sign?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Was Salt Lake City's "No Kings" protest a success? Organizers look back, and look ahead. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/10/27/no-kings-organizers-look-back-utah/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - How Utah became the nation's first swan hunting ground. \[[Axios Salt Lake City](https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/10/27/swan-hunting-utah-history?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Nation - U.S. government debt burden on track to overtake Italy's, IMF figures show. \[[Financial Times](https://www.ft.com/content/34194bfa-b8ea-4301-8212-a554ee721aeb?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Senate Republicans may use the nuclear option to end the shutdown. \[[The Hill](https://thehill.com/opinion/congress-blog/5572540-senate-republicans-nuclear-option/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Ongoing shutdown sparks flight delay warnings, food stamp pause. \[[Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-10-26/us-transport-chief-warns-of-more-shutdown-linked-flight-delays?srnd=homepage-americas&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - 6 ways the shutdown is about to get worse. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/27/government-shutdown-funding-programs-00622376?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Congress enjoys ultra-luxe health care as it fights to gut yours. \[[Rolling Stone](https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/political-commentary/congress-health-care-premium-government-shutdown-1235454008/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - President Donald Trump says a recent M.R.I. scan was "perfect," and he'd "love" a third term. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/us/politics/trump-mri-third-term.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - House Republicans want to strip Zohran Mamdani of citizenship, possibly deport NYC mayoral frontrunner over form omissions. \[[New York Post](https://nypost.com/2025/10/25/us-news/house-republicans-push-to-denaturalize-mamdani-over-citizenship-form/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### World - Graham predicts Trump's war on "narco-terrorists" will expand to land strikes. \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/10/26/trump-venezuela-boat-strikes-lindsey-graham?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Putin fears another coup as Russia begins to buckle. \[[The Telegraph](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/10/26/putin-fears-another-coup-as-russia-finally-begins-to-buckle/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Hurricane Melissa could be strongest to ever hit Jamaica. \[[BBC](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2dr0z57nygo?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Utah GOP shifts gears after anti-gerrymandering repeal strategy hits constitutional wall URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-gop-shifts-gears-after-anti-gerrymandering-repeal-strategy-hits-constitutional-wall/ Last updated: 2025-12-01T19:02:56.000Z The Utah GOP abandoned their [plan to repeal ](https://utahpolitics.news/podcast-the-utah-gop-finds-the-redistricting-uno-reverse-card/)the state’s anti-gerrymandering law because Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson warned them earlier this week that she would reject the measure on constitutional grounds. That forced Republicans to abandon their indirect initiative strategy and scramble for a backup. ****Independent Journalism Can't Be Bought or Silenced** No corporate ownership. No billionaire backers. Just accountability reporting that makes powerful people uncomfortable. ****Start with our free newsletter** or ****go all-in with a paid subscription** and get full access and the knowledge you're funding fearless journalism. [Subscribe ](#/portal/signup) The party now pivots to a direct repeal campaign, attempting to convince voters in 2026 to overturn Prop. 4—the same anti-gerrymandering measure those voters approved in 2018\. The party announced the revamped strategy Friday night. Sources tell Utah Political Watch that Henderson’s office informed staffers for Utah’s all-Republican U.S. House delegation earlier this week that should sponsors successfully collect enough signatures, she would be forced to reject the indirect initiative—using an indirect initiative to repeal a voter-approved direct ballot initiative would likely [violate Utah’s Constitution](https://utahpolitics.news/the-peoples-power-vs-the-peoples-power/). In a Friday evening press release, the Utah GOP admitted that was the reason behind the change. “Recent legal filings by those opposed to our defense of representative government made it clear that the Lt. Governor’s Office would likely be forced to deny the indirect initiative application,” the press release read. Now Sen. Mike Lee [joins the effort](https://vote.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Repeal-of-Independent-Redistricting-Commission-Direct-Initiative%5FFinal.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news) alongside Attorney General Derek Brown and Utah GOP Chairman Rob Axson. They need over 140,000 signatures statewide by Feb. 15, plus signature thresholds in 26 of 29 state Senate districts—a significant lift for a measure asking voters to reject their own previous judgment. Meanwhile, the judge in Utah’s gerrymandering lawsuit is set to choose a new congressional map for the 2026 election after the previous map was thrown out. She has [until Nov. 10](https://utahpolitics.news/countdown-to-nov-10-for-utahs-redistricting-battle/) to pick from the [map passed by lawmakers](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-judge-will-choose-from-three-possible-congressional-maps/) in a special session earlier in October or two maps from the plaintiffs. That process could be upended by the party’s referendum drive to block implementation of the legislature’s map. If referendum backers can [gather about 140,000 signatures](https://utahpolitics.news/40-an-hour-to-save-utah-gop-hiring-paid-signature-gatherers-for-redistricting-battle/) statewide and meet signature targets in 15 of 29 Senate districts by Nov. 15, that map will be put on hold until voters can weigh in during the 2026 election. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Utah AG backs Trump's bid to end birthright citizenship URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-ag-backs-trumps-bid-to-end-birthright-citizenship/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T17:19:29.000Z [Embed from Getty Images](https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2235297697) Utah Attorney General Derek Brown signed onto a Supreme Court brief Friday arguing that children born in the United States don't automatically deserve citizenship–a position that contradicts 150 years of settled constitutional law and Supreme Court precedent. ****Independent Journalism Can't Be Bought or Silenced** No corporate ownership. No billionaire backers. Just accountability reporting that makes powerful people uncomfortable. ****Start with our free newsletter** or ****go all-in with a paid subscription** and get full access and the knowledge you're funding fearless journalism. [Subscribe ](#/portal/signup) Brown joined two dozen Republican state Attorneys General supporting the Trump administration's effort to change the 14th Amendment through executive order. [The brief argues](https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26196806-pr25-52-amicus/?ref=utahpolitics.news) that the 14th Amendment doesn't grant automatic citizenship simply because a person was born in the U.S., and that the issue is not "settled and beyond debate." "Conferring United States citizenship requires a more meaningful connection than mere presence by happenstance or illegality," the brief argues. That argument contradicts the Supreme Court's 1898 ruling in United States v. Wong Kim Ark, which established that children born on U.S. soil are citizens regardless of their parents' immigration status. On his first day in office, President Donald Trump [signed an executive order](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/protecting-the-meaning-and-value-of-american-citizenship/?ref=utahpolitics.news) denying citizenship to children of parents who are in the country illegally. The order directed federal agencies not to issue citizenship documents, like birth certificates, for those children. The executive order was immediately challenged in court. Three lawsuits from a coalition of Democratic-led states and cities along with organizations like the ACLU sued to block the policy from going into effect. Lower courts ruled that the order was "blatantly unconstitutional" and issued injunctions to prevent it from being enforced. However, in June the Supreme Court ruled in *Trump v. CASA, Inc.* that federal courts cannot issue "universal injunctions" that protect non-parties in a lawsuit, but did not rule whether Trump's executive order was constitutional. Trump's order is currently blocked nationwide due to multiple injunctions. In September, the administration asked the Supreme Court to take up the cases and make a final ruling. Brown's office declined to comment about why he signed the brief on Friday. This is not the first time Brown joined other state Attorneys General in support of Trump's attempts to alter birthright citizenship. In February, [he signed onto an amicus brief ](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-joins-with-other-states-to-support-trumps-push-to-end-birthright-citizenship/)in Delaware supporting Trump’s executive order. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Saturday is likely your only chance to weigh in on GOP plan to repeal anti-gerrymandering law URL: https://utahpolitics.news/saturday-is-likely-your-only-chance-to-weigh-in-on-gop-plan-to-repeal-anti-gerrymandering-law/ Last updated: 2025-10-27T12:31:57.000Z ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **11** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **88** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **375** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,110** --- ****The Morning Memo is usually for paid subscribers. We're unlocking it today so you can see what you're missing.** Like it? Support it. Become a paid subscriber or make a donation. This costs money to do well, and reader support is how we stay independent and fearless. [Support our work ](#/portal/signup) ## 💬 Utah politics was unhinged this week: Let's discuss. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/10/What-the-heck-is-happening.png) Need a break from doomscrolling? Join us Friday evening at 6:30 pm for a livestream breakdown of the week's wildest political stories–and trust me, it's been a week. Bring your questions, your outrage, or just your curiosity. Here's where you can join the conversation: - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@UtahPoliticalWatch?ref=utahpolitics.news) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/utahpoliticalwatch) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/schotthappens/?ref=utahpolitics.news) - [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPH7WgctbN12H-c68Cr/?ref=utahpolitics.news) - [Twitch](https://www.twitch.tv/utah%5Fpolitics?ref=utahpolitics.news) - [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/schotthappens/?ref=utahpolitics.news) --- ## 📰 Above the fold The Utah Republican Party is [attempting to repeal](https://utahpolitics.news/the-utah-gop-discovers-one-weird-trick-to-kill-anti-gerrymandering-measure/) the state's voter-approved anti-gerrymandering law, and Saturday might be your only chance to weigh in. Seven public hearings—the minimum required by law—are scheduled across the state. After that, the proposal could go straight to lawmakers, who could vote to overturn Proposition 4 without further public input. No committee hearings. No debate. Just an up-or-down vote on whether to erase a reform that voters approved in 2018. The party announced the effort earlier this month as part of a two-pronged attack: block the congressional map lawmakers just approved in special session, and kill the anti-gerrymandering law entirely. Here's how they're doing it: The referendum targeting the new congressional map (Option C) requires roughly 134,000 signatures statewide by Nov. 15, plus specific signature thresholds in 15 of 29 state Senate districts. Success means the map gets frozen until voters decide in 2026. The Prop. 4 repeal uses a different mechanism—the indirect initiative process—which requires fewer signatures (about 70,000) but demands broader geographic support: 4% of active voters in 26 of 29 Senate districts. Hit those numbers and the Legislature must vote on it. No amendments allowed. Just yes or no on repealing the law. Which brings us to Saturday. State law requires initiative sponsors to [hold at least seven public hearings](https://vote.utah.gov/instructions-for-a-statewide-initiative/?ref=utahpolitics.news) across Utah. The hearings must last at least one hour, with time for public comment. The initiative’s sponsors [scheduled all seven hearings](https://vote.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Public-Hearings-Notice.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news) for Saturday, with meetings running simultaneously in Logan, Vernal, Washington, Richfield, Price, Lehi and Farmington (which is the closest to Salt Lake City). This is likely the public’s only shot at weighing in on the proposed repeal of Prop. 4. In 1999, when an indirect initiative to establish English as the official language of Utah’s state government reached the Legislature, it went straight to the House floor and skipped committee review. Expect the same here. If the GOP collects enough signatures, lawmakers-who have already voted to repeal Prop. 4 once-will likely fast-track the repeal straight to a floor vote, bypassing the committee process where citizens and experts can weigh in. [Experts argue](https://utahpolitics.news/the-peoples-power-vs-the-peoples-power/) using the indirect initiative process to repeal a voter-approved initiative might be unconstitutional. The plaintiffs already suing over Utah’s 2021 congressional map [have filed suit](https://utahpolitics.news/the-utah-gop-discovers-one-weird-trick-to-kill-anti-gerrymandering-measure/) to block the repeal effort. --- ## Friday morning's headlines ### Utah and the West - Judge hears arguments over Legislature's new congressional map ahead of November deadline. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51394552/judge-hears-arguments-over-legislatures-new-congressional-map-ahead-of-november-deadline?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Podcast: Expand or extinct: Democrats' 2030 redistricting crisis. \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/podcast-expand-or-extinct-democrats-2030-redistricting-crisis/)\] - "We have to fundamentally change the way we budget," Sen. John Curtis says. \[[KUTV](https://kutv.com/news/local/we-have-to-fundamentally-change-the-way-we-budget-sen-john-curtis-says?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Who do Utahns blame for the shutdown–Republicans or Democrats? \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/10/23/utah-poll-who-is-to-blame-for-shutdown-democrats-or-republicans/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Lawmakers want to lower Utah gas prices next year–here's their proposal. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/10/24/lawmakers-want-to-lower-utah-gas-prices/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Utah Food Bank says filling food assistance gap will take "all of us coming together." \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/10/23/utah-food-bank-asks-for-donations-government-shutdown-food-assistance/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Weber School District experiences increased demand in food pantry needs. \[[KUTV](https://kutv.com/news/local/weber-school-district-experiences-increased-demand-in-food-pantry-needs?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Ban cameras in the courtroom for Charlie Kirk's alleged killer, attorneys argue. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2025/10/23/charlie-kirk-killing-attorneys/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Nation - Firestorm over food stamps erupts with funds set to expire. \[[Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-10-23/firestorm-over-food-stamps-erupts-with-funds-set-to-expire?srnd=homepage-americas&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - President Donald Trump says tech bosses persuaded him not to deploy federal forces to San Francisco. \[[Financial Times](https://www.ft.com/content/42084e60-fa8e-4476-b637-2129c86f40c1?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Trump says private donor gave $130 million to cover military pay during shutdown. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-says-private-donor-gave-130-million-cover-military-pay-during-shutdown-2025-10-23/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - ICE is mounting a mass surveillance campaign on American citizens. \[[Reason](https://reason.com/2025/10/23/ice-is-mounting-a-mass-surveillance-campaign-on-american-citizens/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### World - U.S. sends B-1 bombers near Venezuela, ramping up military pressure. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/u-s-sends-b-1-bombers-near-venezuela-ramping-up-military-pressure-f9514126?mod=hp%5Flead%5Fpos4&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Economy - Inflation increases to 3 percent, groceries and gasoline prices heading higher. \[[PBS News](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/u-s-inflation-increases-to-3-percent-groceries-and-gasoline-prices-heading-higher?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Companies have shielded buyers from tariffs. But not for long. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/24/business/economy/companies-have-shielded-buyers-from-tariffs-but-not-for-long.html?unlocked%5Farticle%5Fcode=1.v08.HtSl.mTwVdE6IER52&smid=url-share&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Environment - Global use of coal hits record high in 2024\. \[[Semafor](https://www.semafor.com/article/10/23/2025/global-use-of-coal-hits-record-high-in-2024?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Expand or extinct: Democrats' 2030 redistricting crisis URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/podcast-expand-or-extinct-democrats-2030-redistricting-crisis/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T19:00:25.000Z Run for Something's Amanda Litman explains why Democrats must invest in red states now—or face permanent minority status after 2030 redistricting. ****Independent Journalism Can't Be Bought or Silenced** No corporate ownership. No billionaire backers. Just accountability reporting that makes powerful people uncomfortable. ****Start with our free newsletter** or ****go all-in with a paid subscription** and get full access and the knowledge you're funding fearless journalism. [Subscribe ](#/portal/signup) She argues that redistricting in 2030 is going to gut the already-narrow path to power for Democrats. California and New York will lose seats in Congress, while red states are gaining representation. Utah's fast-growing population means the state is in line to gain a fifth seat in the U.S. House of Representatives following the 2031 redistricting cycle. Her organization [is launching a five-year plan ](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/20/run-for-something-dems-invest-blue-wall-00614870?ref=utahpolitics.news)to build Democratic infrastructure in Republican strongholds like Utah, where the party's net favorability sits at a dismal negative 38 percent. Litman says Democrats need to stop obsessing over swing states and start investing in places the party has written off for years. **Run for Something:** [RunForSomething.net](https://runforsomething.net/?ref=utahpolitics.news) Listen and subscribe [to the show at this link](https://special-session.transistor.fm/s1/42?ref=utahpolitics.news). ****Producing independent journalism isn't cheap.** If you'd like to sponsor this podcast, let's talk. [Send an email ](mailto:podcast@utahpoliticalwatch.news) ### How toxic is the Democratic brand in Utah? URL: https://utahpolitics.news/how-toxic-is-the-democratic-brand-in-utah/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T17:16:13.000Z ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **12** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **89** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **376** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,111** --- ****Editor's note:** The morning memo is usually for paying subscribers. Today's edition has been unlocked for non-subscribers. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber or making a one-time donation to support this work. [Support our work ](#/portal/signup) ## 📰 The Lead Utah Democrats have a branding problem. And calling it a “problem” might be generous. A recent [Noble Predictive Insights poll](https://www.noblepredictiveinsights.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) reveals the party's favorability sits at 26%—meaning nearly two-thirds of Utahns (64%) view Democrats unfavorably. That's not just bad. That's a net -38% rating, the kind of number that’s nuclear waste-level toxic. Digging into the numbers shows how brutal they are for Democrats. 7% view Democrats very favorably, 19% somewhat favorably. On the other side, 43% very unfavorably, 20% somewhat unfavorably. Translation: for every Utahn who thinks Democrats are doing fine, there are six others who feel the opposite. The only Utahns who like Democrats are Utah Democrats (80% favorable/17% unfavorable). Even independent voters register a net -28% favorability. Men dislike Democrats at -45%, women at -31%. Every age group tilts negative. Even young voters between 19-29 have a sour opinion of the Democratic Party, with a net -36%. Republicans fare better at +19% net favorability (56% favorable, 37% unfavorable), but strip away Republican voters and the picture changes. Democrats loathe the GOP (net -79%), and independents aren't fans either (net -21%). The narrow path forward for Democrats (at least in the short term) seems to be finding a way to appeal to independent voters who hate both parties. The survey was conducted Sept. 22-26, 2025 among 621 registered voters in Utah. The margin of error is ±3.93%. --- ## Thursday morning's Utah headlines - Utah's Forward Party wagers 60,000 voters can choose better than 150 party insiders. \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/utahs-forward-party-wagers-60-000-voters-can-choose-better-than-150-party-insiders/)\] - New congressional map faces court hearing to determine Prop. 4 compliance. \[[KUTV](https://kutv.com/news/politics/new-congressional-map-faces-court-hearing-for-prop-4-compliance?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Utah SNAP payments will not be issued in November due to shutdown. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/utah-snap-payments-will-not-be-issued-in-november-due-to-shutdown?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Top Salt Lake County salaries questioned as mayor defends 20% property tax increase. \[[KUTV](https://kutv.com/news/local/top-salt-lake-county-salaries-questioned-as-mayor-wilson-defends-20-tax-increase?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - As Utah grapples with closing schools, K-12 enrollment sees largest dip in 25 years. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/education/2025/10/23/utah-public-k-12-enrollment-sees/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Critics say taxpayer dollars for nursing homes should be spent on care, not new buildings. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/fox-13-investigates/critics-say-taxpayer-dollars-for-nursing-homes-should-be-spent-on-care-not-new-buildings?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Deadline for Great Salt Lake water projects extended as shutdown creates new hurdle. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51393270/deadline-for-great-salt-lake-water-projects-extended-as-shutdown-creates-new-hurdle?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Utah Supreme Court rejects Colorado River water pipeline project. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/colorado-river-collaborative/utah-supreme-court-rejects-colorado-river-water-pipeline-project?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Specialty Utah conservation plat raking in the money. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/utah/2025/10/22/wildlife-utah-conservation-license-plates/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Plan to build a 7-story hotel next to Sugar House Part receives key endorsement. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51393823/plan-to-build-a-7-story-hotel-next-to-sugar-house-park-receives-key-endorsement?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Tyler Robinson case is with the state, not the sheriff's office, attorneys argue in new filing. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51393872/tyler-robinson-case-is-with-the-state-not-the-sheriffs-office-attorneys-argue-in-new-filing?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Utah's Forward Party wagers 60,000 voters can choose better than 150 party insiders URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utahs-forward-party-wagers-60-000-voters-can-choose-better-than-150-party-insiders/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T17:23:23.000Z When a seat opens up mid-term in the Utah Legislature, party delegates typically gather in a room and pick the replacement themselves. Fewer than 1% of voters in the district get a say. The Utah Forward Party is about to let everyone in Senate District 11 vote on who replaces Sen. Daniel Thatcher—and they're betting voters will make a better choice than the political establishment. ****Independent Journalism Can't Be Bought or Silenced** No corporate ownership. No billionaire backers. Just accountability reporting that makes powerful people uncomfortable. ****Start with our free newsletter** or ****go all-in with a paid subscription** and get full access and the knowledge you're funding fearless journalism. [Subscribe ](#/portal/signup) Thatcher, who [switched his party affiliation](https://utahpolitics.news/sen-daniel-thatcher-abandons-gop-the-public-is-being-treated-with-contempt-2/) from the GOP to the Forward Party on the final day of the 2025 session, announced on Tuesday evening [he plans to resign](https://utahpolitics.news/sen-daniel-thatcher-announces-resignation-2-400-member-utah-forward-party-to-pick-his-replacement/) from the legislature prior to the 2026 session. [Utah law says](https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title20A/Chapter1/20A-1-S503.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) replacements for midterm vacancies in the Utah Legislature are chosen by the same political party as the prior lawmaker. Thatcher's party switch means picking his successor now falls to the Forward Party, which has just 2,400 members statewide. They're [planning to use a process](https://www.11chooses.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) that's never been tried in Utah before. The rules are designed to negate the typical political machinery. No paid advertising. Try to outspend your opponents to gain an advantage and you’re disqualified. Candidates submit video statements, essays, and undergo social media vetting, then appeal to voters in a single online debate. The vote to pick a replacement will be done through a preference poll and will be open to all voters in SD11, regardless of party affiliation. The party plans to use a secure online platform to conduct the poll and will implement an instant runoff method for multiple candidates. Party Chair Michelle Quist says their process for selecting a replacement for Thatcher should show voters that there is a viable alternative to how Utah Republicans and Democrats choose replacements. “Roughly one in four Utah legislators currently serving first assumed office through a closed-door, delegate-only special replacement process, where less than one percent of the voters in the district participate. Once appointed to office, these lawmakers enjoy a 97% incumbency reelection rate,” Quist said in a press release. “The unprecedented process we’re launching today gives the people of District 11, all of them, the power to decide who represents them. Parties don’t own these seats. People do.” For comparison, had Thatcher remained in the GOP, his replacement would be decided by approximately 150 Republican delegates Now, that choice is up to the 60,000 registered voters in District 11. There is an obvious vulnerability: nothing stops the winner from switching parties once in office. The pledge to remain a member of the Forward party through 2026 is purely voluntary. Potentially, a Republican or Democrat could run as a Forward Party member, then flip parties while enjoying the incumbency advantage Quist criticized. We’re most certainly putting our faith into the people here,” Phil Boileau, the party’s communication director, said. “We don’t expect the kind of person who purposefully and maliciously breaks their word and pretends to be something they are not for a short-term political gain to be the kind of person the people would choose to fill that seat.” Instead of a top-down approach employed by traditional political parties, individual state and local parties allow members to decide which issues are most important to them. Candidates don’t have to follow a party platform because there isn’t one. Instead, [they only have to pledge](https://www.forwardparty.com/pledge/?ref=utahpolitics.news) to follow general principles like respecting the Constitution, promising to support and strengthen democracy and working to find solutions to their community’s most pressing problems. Potential candidates will have until Nov. 11 to jump into the race, with online voting to begin on Dec. 8\. The winner is set to be announced on Dec. 12. ![CTA Image](https://www.utahpoliticalwatch.news/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Who gets to replace a party switcher? Utah's about to find out URL: https://utahpolitics.news/who-gets-to-replace-a-party-switcher-utahs-about-to-find-out/ Last updated: 2025-10-22T14:12:14.000Z ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **13** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **90** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **377** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,112** --- ****Independent Journalism Can't Be Bought or Silenced** No corporate ownership. No billionaire backers. Just accountability reporting that makes powerful people uncomfortable. ****Start with our free newsletter** or ****go all-in with a paid subscription** and get full access and the knowledge you're funding fearless journalism. [Subscribe ](#/portal/signup) ## 📰 The lead Sen. Daniel Thatcher [announced Tuesday he's retiring](https://utahpolitics.news/sen-daniel-thatcher-announces-resignation-2-400-member-utah-forward-party-to-pick-his-replacement/) from the Utah state Senate seat he has held since 2011\. Since he switched to the Utah Forward Party on the final day of the 2025 legislative session, his new party should pick his replacement. Utah Republicans might have other ideas. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Sen. Daniel Thatcher announces resignation; 2,400-member Utah Forward Party to pick his replacement URL: https://utahpolitics.news/sen-daniel-thatcher-announces-resignation-2-400-member-utah-forward-party-to-pick-his-replacement/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T19:56:42.000Z Sen. Daniel Thatcher announced on social media Tuesday that he plans to resign before the 2026 legislative session. His resignation hands the Utah Forward Party—which has just 2,400 voters statewide—control over his replacement on Utah’s Capitol Hill. ****Independent Journalism Can't Be Bought or Silenced** No corporate ownership. No billionaire backers. Just accountability reporting that makes powerful people uncomfortable. ****Start with our free newsletter** or ****go all-in with a paid subscription** and get full access and the knowledge you're funding fearless journalism. [Subscribe ](#/portal/signup) [Under Utah law](https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title20A/Chapter1/20A-1-S503.html?ref=utahpolitics.news), when a legislator resigns mid-term, their party selects the replacement. Despite serving 14 years as a Republican, Thatcher switched to the Forward Party on the final day of the 2025 session. "My first obligation in this matter is to the voters. They deserve a better process, and I think this is the best way to give them a better outcome," Thatcher said in a brief phone conversation on Tuesday evening. > I was first elected to the Utah State Senate at the age of 32, in a district that nobody thought would vote for a conservative. I won by listening and respecting voters from all parties. I have now served more than half my adult life. [#utpol](https://twitter.com/hashtag/utpol?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) [#utleg](https://twitter.com/hashtag/utleg?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) [#forward](https://twitter.com/hashtag/forward?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) [#fwd](https://twitter.com/hashtag/fwd?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) 1/5 > > — Daniel W. Thatcher (@SenThatcher) [October 22, 2025](https://twitter.com/SenThatcher/status/1980816477604196407?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) Thatcher has suffered several strokes since November 2022\. During the 2023 session, [he experienced a medical incident](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2023/01/19/breaking-sen-dan-thatcher-says/?ref=utahpolitics.news) on the floor of the Senate during a debate on a bill to ban minors from receiving gender-affirming care. Thatcher was first elected in 2010 when he knocked off longtime Democratic Sen. Brent Goodfellow. During his tenure, he frequently bucked Republican leadership by voting against bills favored by his GOP colleagues. One of his signature achievements during his time in office was spearheading the [creation of the SafeUT mobile app](https://safeut.org/about-us?ref=utahpolitics.news) as a response to rising youth suicide rates. The app provides Utah students 24/7 access to crisis counselors. Thatcher also [played a major role](https://talk.crisisnow.com/sen-thatcher-on-how-utahs-988-legislation-was-7-years-in-the-making/?ref=utahpolitics.news) in establishing the 988 national suicide prevention hotline. In 2024, he ran for Salt Lake County Council but lost the GOP primary to Carlos Moreno. Citing growing frustration with the Republican majority in the Utah Senate not listening to voters, Thatcher [switched from the Republican Party](https://utahpolitics.news/sen-daniel-thatcher-abandons-gop-the-public-is-being-treated-with-contempt-2/) to the new Forward Party on the final day of the 2025 session. Not only did that party switch give the Utah Forward Party their first office-holder in Utah, but it also means they get to pick Thatcher's replacement. Utah law says that in the event of a midterm vacancy in the legislature, the "same political party as the prior senator" will submit a name to the governor, who will appoint that person to serve out the remainder of Thatcher's term. Even though he was a Republican for the vast majority of his 15 years in office, his seat will be filled by a member of the Utah Forward Party. There are only 2,400 Utahns who are registered to vote as members of the Forward Party in Utah, with just 106 of those who live in Thatcher's district. Utah Forward Party Chair Michelle Quist said Thatcher's presence in the legislature will be missed. "Sen. Thatcher had been a shining light on Utah’s Capitol Hill for over a decade; we will miss his strength of character, his principled consistency, and his authentic concern for every Utahn, no matter their background. We wish Sen. Thatcher all the best in his future endeavors," Quist said. Utah Republican Party Chair Rob Axson praised Thatcher's commitment to serving the public during his time in office. "Senator Thatcher has given years of service to Utah and his constituents. He consistently fought for the west side of Salt Lake County and to promote their voice—which deserves praise," Axson said in a text message. "In that process he was true to what he felt was right even if bucking the norm. I hope his next chapter is filed with success and health." Thatcher had already announced he would not run for re-election in 2026\. Former House Majority Whip John Knotwell is said to be gearing up to run for Thatcher's seat next year. [Knotwell resigned from his seat](https://apnews.com/general-news-76a33f2c21bb4e39a900c0407ba87e40?ref=utahpolitics.news) in the Utah House in 2019\. Current House Majority Whip Candice Pierucci was appointed as his replacement. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Utah AG supports Trump's military strikes on suspected drug boats URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-ag-supports-trumps-military-strikes-on-suspected-drug-boats/ Last updated: 2025-10-21T13:51:06.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **14** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **91** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **378** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,113** --- ## 📰 The Lead Utah Attorney General Derek Brown joined 15 state AGs in backing President Trump's military strikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean that have [killed at least 32 people](https://www.axios.com/2025/10/21/trump-venezuela-strikes-expand?ref=utahpolitics.news)—strikes that [some experts say](https://www.politifact.com/article/2025/sep/08/venezuelan-drug-boat-us-attack-legal/?ref=utahpolitics.news) may violate international law. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Utah's congressional Republicans silent after Trump posts video of himself dropping poop on protesters URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utahs-congressional-republicans-silent-after-trump-posts-video-of-himself-dropping-poop-on-protesters/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T16:37:10.000Z President Donald Trump [posted an AI-generated video](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-posts-ai-video-dumping-no-kings-protesters-rcna238521?ref=utahpolitics.news) to social media on Saturday depicting himself piloting a fighter jet and dumping a sludge of liquified excrement on “No Kings” protesters. Utah’s six Republican members of Congress did not answer questions about the video. After an estimated 7 million Americans joined the “No Kings” protests on Saturday, including approximately 15,000 people in Salt Lake City, Trump [posted the video to Truth Social](https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115398251623299921?ref=utahpolitics.news). In the 19-second clip, Trump, adorned with a crown, pilots a warplane emblazoned with “King Trump” on the side and dumps diarrhea on a crowd of protesters, including left-wing influencer Harry Sisson, in Times Square. Utah Political Watch reached out to all six Republicans who represent Utah in Congress to ask if they had any thoughts about the video and whether they felt it was appropriate behavior from the President of the United States. None of them replied. As of Monday afternoon, none of Utah’s congressional delegation had acknowledged or commented on Trump’s video on their official or social media channels. House Speaker Mike Johnson [defended Trump’s post on Monday](https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/10/20/congress/mike-johnson-trump-poop-video-00615255?ref=utahpolitics.news), saying the president was “using satire” to make a point. Politico reports that Johnson did not elaborate on what point Trump was trying to make. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Maloy backs congressional honor for Trump after Nobel Prize snub URL: https://utahpolitics.news/maloy-backs-congressional-honor-for-trump-after-nobel-prize-snub/ Last updated: 2025-10-20T13:30:40.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **15** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **92** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **379** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,114** --- ## Maloy joins GOP effort to honor Trump for ending '8 wars in 8 months' Rep. Celeste Maloy has joined with two dozen of her Republican colleagues in the House in sponsoring legislation to award Congress’ highest civilian honor to President Donald Trump for brokering a ceasefire in Gaza. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### The people's power vs. the people's power URL: https://utahpolitics.news/the-peoples-power-vs-the-peoples-power/ Last updated: 2025-10-17T13:58:08.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **18** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **95** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **382** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,117** --- ## Using the people's power to defeat the people's power The Utah GOP is attempting to kill voter-approved anti-gerrymandering reforms through a constitutional loophole that may not actually exist. Their weapon? An obscure legislative maneuver called an "indirect initiative" that hasn't been used since 1999—and one legal expert says it's constitutionally bogus. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Former Utah Rep. Ben McAdams signals congressional comeback bid URL: https://utahpolitics.news/former-utah-rep-ben-mcadams-signals-congressional-comeback-bid/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T16:34:06.000Z Is Ben McAdams angling to get his old job back? The former Democratic congressman who lost to Republican Burgess Owens by a razor-thin margin in 2020 appears to be preparing for a comeback bid—this time on potentially friendlier turf. McAdams [filed an updated statement of candidacy](https://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/forms/H8UT04053/1921935//?ref=utahpolitics.news) with the Federal Election Commission on Thursday morning, signaling a potential run in what's currently Utah's 4th Congressional District. But thanks to court-ordered redistricting, McAdams might not even end up running in the 4th. Sources close to McAdams say he’s expected to run, but it’s unclear when an official announcement could come. McAdams could not be reached for comment. A new or updated statement of candidacy is not the same thing as launching a full-fledged campaign, but it is required for a candidate or potential candidate to raise funds during the current election cycle. The current redistricting chaos could work in McAdams’ favor. A Utah District Court threw out the state’s current congressional map, and the proposed alternatives create dramatically different political landscapes: - Under the [“Option C” map approved by Utah lawmakers](https://utahpolitics.news/two-competitive-congressional-seats-in-republican-utah/), he would live in the 3rd District, which would have gone for Republican Donald Trump in 2024 by 2.28% and just 0.5% in the 2020 election. - McAdams lives in the 1st District, centered in Salt Lake County under Map #1 [proposed by the plaintiffs](https://utahpolitics.news/how-splitting-salt-lake-city-could-decide-a-democratic-seat-or-keep-the-gop4-0-hold/) in the case. That seat would have gone for Democrats Joe Biden and Kamala Harris by more than 20 points in 2020 and 2024. - The second map proposal from the plaintiffs puts McAdams in the 2nd District, which would have gone for Biden-Harris by at least 13 points in the last two presidential elections. Raising money should not be a problem for McAdams. During his first run for Congress in 2018, McAdams’ campaign r[aised more than $3.3 million](https://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary?cycle=2018&id=UT04&ref=utahpolitics.news). Two years later, against Owens, McAdams pulled in [more than $5.6 million](https://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary?cycle=2020&id=UT04&ref=utahpolitics.news). He also does not appear to have much financial ground to make up against Owens. According to the latest financial disclosures from the Federal Election Commission, Owens has a little more than $167,000 in the bank. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### '$40 an hour to SAVE Utah': GOP hiring paid signature gatherers for redistricting battle URL: https://utahpolitics.news/40-an-hour-to-save-utah-gop-hiring-paid-signature-gatherers-for-redistricting-battle/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T17:50:29.000Z The Utah Republican Party’s shock announcement on Tuesday that they were launching a massive signature-gathering effort to block the new congressional map passed by lawmakers last week and, separately, repeal the state’s anti-gerrymandering law has been in the works for several weeks. Party Chairman Rob Axson tells Utah Political Watch he’s been quietly working to build financial support for “3+ weeks” before going public. “For the last three or four weeks, I have been engaged in building the needed support and funding to get started,” Axson said in a text message. “I’m grateful for the support of many partners and allies who are supporting this Utah-driven effort.” For both efforts to be successful, the party must collect at a minimum more than 200,000 signatures from registered voters by Nov. 15. - A referendum targeting the court-ordered new congressional map needs at least 134,000 signatures statewide, as well as signatures from 8% of registered voters in 15 of Utah’s 29 state Senate districts. - An indirect initiative to put a repeal of Proposition 4, the voter approved anti-gerrymandering initiative, on the agenda for lawmakers during the 2026 legislative session requires 70,000 signatures statewide, plus signatures from 4% of active voters in 26 of Utah’s 29 state Senate districts. To climb that steep hill, the party has contracted with Patriot Grassroots, a Republican-aligned firm that worked with Elon Musk’s America PAC to canvass for Donald Trump’s campaign in Pennsylvania and Georgia ahead of the 2024 election. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/10/03d3f819-4f05-4ead-854f-71a373be4c70-2.png) "The Country and PRESIDENT TRUMP need your help to SAVE Utah," screams a job posting from Patriot Grassroots—the same firm that helped Elon Musk's America PAC canvass for Trump in swing states. The appeal to Trump loyalty reveals the party's strategy: frame the redistricting fight as a national MAGA cause. According to the job posting, canvassers who travel to Utah for the job will be paid $40 per hour if they work 6 hours or more, and $30 per hour if they work under 6 hours per day. Paid canvassers from Utah can earn $26 and $20 if they meet those requirements. Paying signature gatherers for an initiative or referendum effort is an expensive undertaking. In 2021, Utah lawmakers banned companies from paying signature gatherers based on the number of signatures they collect. Now, signature gatherers can only be paid on an hourly rate. The successful referendum effort earlier this year targeting HB267, the so-called “union busting” bill passed by lawmakers, cost organizers at least $1.5 million. Axson would not say how much money he has raised or plans to raise to fund the petition effort for the referendum and the indirect initiative efforts, only that it would be “enough to be confident in taking the action.” Axson says the party also plans to use volunteers as part of the signature gathering effort. ### Plaintiffs sue to block Prop. 4 repeal On Thursday morning, lawyers for the plaintiffs in the lawsuit over Prop. 4 asked a judge to block the indirect initiative effort from the Utah GOP that seeks to repeal Prop. 4. Lawyers for the League of Women Voters Utah and Mormon Women for Ethical Government argue that the court already ruled that the direct repeal of Prop. 4 in 2020 by the Utah Legislature was unconstitutional, and the Republican-led indirect seeks to accomplish the same result through a different mechanism. “A statutory procedure cannot subvert the People's constitutional rights. Four percent of the public, together with the Legislature, cannot repeal a government reform initiative adopted by majority vote,” they argued in the filing. They’ve asked the court to block Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson from approving the indirect initiative application or from issuing petition sheets. ![CTA Image](https://www.utahpoliticalwatch.news/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### The Utah GOP finds the redistricting UNO reverse card URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/podcast-the-utah-gop-finds-the-redistricting-uno-reverse-card/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T19:00:46.000Z Grab your popcorn. The Utah Republican Party announced Tuesday a dual strategy to combat court-ordered redistricting reforms and potentially repeal the voter-approved independent redistricting commission established by Proposition 4 in 2018. The GOP is launching a statewide referendum to overturn the congressional map (Option C) that lawmakers just approved last week. They're also aiming to collect 70,000 signatures to submit a new law directly to the legislature that would repeal Proposition 4 entirely. We break the situation down in this episode. Listen and subscribe to the show [at this link](https://share.transistor.fm/s/eb3b6be8?ref=utahpolitics.news). ****Producing independent journalism isn't cheap.** If you'd like to sponsor this podcast, let's talk. Email: [news@utahpoliticalwatch.news](mailto:news@utahpoliticalwatch.news) ### The Utah GOP discovers one weird trick to kill anti-gerrymandering measure URL: https://utahpolitics.news/the-utah-gop-discovers-one-weird-trick-to-kill-anti-gerrymandering-measure/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T17:49:39.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **20** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **97** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **384** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,119** --- ## Utah Republicans weaponize direct democracy The Utah GOP has unveiled a brazen scheme to kill voter-approved redistricting reforms—and this time, they’re using voters themselves as the weapon. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### The two Utah Republican Parties: Why convention delegates and GOP voters disagree on Spencer Cox URL: https://utahpolitics.news/the-two-utah-republican-parties-why-convention-delegates-and-gop-voters-disagree-on-spencer-cox/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T20:07:30.000Z There are three years until Utah’s next gubernatorial election, but two Republicans who are said to be eyeing Governor Spencer Cox’s job are facing an awkward reality: Cox is much more popular than they are. A new poll from [Noble Predictive Insights](https://www.noblepredictiveinsights.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news), shows Cox, who has already announced he won’t seek a third term, enjoys a fairly robust public profile among Utah voters. Cox’s net favorable rating sits at a respectable +22 with 55% of Utahns saying they have a favorable impression of him, while 33% view him unfavorably. There’s a stark disconnect between party insiders and regular Republican voters. While convention delegates loudly booed Cox at the 2024 state convention, rank and file Republicans tell a different story. 68% of Republican voters say they have a favorable view of Cox, including 31% who view him very favorably. Just 24% of GOP voters have a negative view of the job he’s doing as governor. On the other hand, Utah Democrats are deeply negative about Cox, with 63% viewing him unfavorably compared with just 29% who have a positive impression of him. Among voters who don't belong to either party, Cox's net approval is in positive territory at +9, with 44% viewing him favorably and 35% unfavorably. Cox’s positive approval rating probably can be linked, at least in part, to his response to the murder of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University in September. Cox has received national attention for his outspoken criticism of the role social media has played in creating an environment that fosters political violence. The public perception of Cox shows the minefield awaiting his potential successors, who must navigate between appeasing convention hardliners and appealing to a broader electorate that clearly likes what Cox is selling. Phil Lyman, who lost two elections to Cox during the 2024 cycle, has been one of his biggest critics since then, posting a constant stream of venom about Cox and his administration to social media since last November. Lyman’s scorched earth strategy against Cox appears to be backfiring spectacularly, as more Utahns view him negatively than positively. Just 17% say they have a positive view of Lyman compared with 27% of Utahns who view him negatively, giving him a net favorable rating of minus 10. Lyman soundly defeated Cox in the delegate vote at last year’s Republican State Convention, but lost to Cox in the GOP primary election. He then launched a write-in effort for the general election, where he finished in third place behind Cox and Democrat Brian King. While Republican convention delegates treat Lyman like a conquering hero, that's not the case with actual GOP voters. Just 21% of Republican voters view him positively, and more Republicans dislike him (25%) than support him. The real kicker? After two statewide campaigns and near constant posting on social media, 54% of Republicans either have never heard of him or shrug when asked their opinion. Hardly the ingredients needed for a vibrant political movement. Outside the Republican bubble, Lyman is electoral poison. Democrats despise him–his net favorable stands at minus 41\. Independents aren't buying what he's selling, either, giving him a minus 11 rating. Even in deep red Utah, Republican candidates need some crossover appeal to win a statewide contest. These numbers threaten to doom any future electoral effort from Lyman. Lyman has already said he plans to run for governor a second time in 2028\. He’s got a lot of work to build up his name ID before that. Most Utahns say they either have no idea who he is (29%) or have no opinion about him (27%). After two high-profile campaigns, that level of anonymity suggests his message isn’t resonating beyond his base of support. Another Republican who appears to be positioning himself for a gubernatorial run in 2028 is House Speaker Mike Schultz. The Utah House [is paying approximately $6,000 monthly to Northbound Strategies](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-taxpayers-shell-out-6k-monthly-for-house-speakers-videos-nobody-watches/), a consulting and PR firm, for services that include producing slick videos featuring Schultz discussing policy priorities. Schultz’s approval rating is in positive territory (+6), with 32% of voters saying they view his job as leader of the Utah House positively, while 26% feel negatively about that work. However, only 7% of respondents say they feel very favorable about Schultz. Those tepid numbers suggest Schultz’s charm offensive is generating awareness, but not much enthusiasm. Republican voters actually like Schultz. He has a healthy +28 net favorability among that group (32% somewhat favorable/11% very favorable). That's still more than 15 points behind Cox's favorability with Republicans. Among non-Republicans, Schultz's standing is abysmal. His net favorability with Democrats is minus 41 (11% favorable/52% unfavorable). Independent voters give him a minus 11 (22% favorable/33% unfavorable). Like Lyman, Schultz still needs to do more to boost his name ID if he does launch a run for governor in 2028\. Nearly half of respondents say they don’t know who he is (14%) or have no opinion about him (28%). The survey was conducted September 22-26, 2025 among 621 registered voters in Utah with a margin of error +/- 3.93%. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Countdown to Nov. 10 for Utah's redistricting battle URL: https://utahpolitics.news/countdown-to-nov-10-for-utahs-redistricting-battle/ Last updated: 2025-10-14T13:56:31.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **21** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **98** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **385** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,120** --- ## Tight timeline for redistricting Utah’s redistricting fight is on a tight clock. By Nov. 10, a judge must pick a congressional map for the 2026 midterms. Meanwhile, the docket keeps getting thicker. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Incumbent pile-up URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/podcast-incumbent-pile-up/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T19:01:24.000Z In this episode: - The judge in Utah's gerrymandering case stares down the clock. - Incumbent pile-up: All the proposed congressional maps put at least two GOP incumbents in the same district. - Registration math shows where Democrats might actually have a shot. Listen and subscribe to the show [at this link](https://special-session.transistor.fm/s1/40?ref=utahpolitics.news). If you'd like to sponsor this podcast, email [schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news](mailto:schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news) ### Map tossed, math changed URL: https://utahpolitics.news/map-tossed-math-changed/ Last updated: 2025-12-05T23:08:00.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **26** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **103** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **390** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,125** --- ## Livestream tonight! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/10/What-the-heck-is-happening.png) Join us tonight at 6:30 pm to talk about what happened in today's redistricting/special session. Here's where you can watch and participate: - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@UtahPoliticalWatch?ref=utahpolitics.news) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/utahpoliticalwatch) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/schotthappens/?ref=utahpolitics.news) - [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/live/event/7559219508477427743?ref=utahpolitics.news) - [Twitch](https://www.twitch.tv/utah%5Fpolitics?ref=utahpolitics.news) 💡 ****Editor's note:** The morning memo is usually available only for paying subscribers. Today's edition has been unlocked for all readers. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber or making a one-time donation to support this work. ## Map Option C is 4-0 GOP on paper, but tightens the margins in two districts Utah’s "Option C" map proposal approved by the Utah legislature on Monday still gives the GOP a 4-0 edge, with a Republican advantage in every congressional district. However, two seats might provide more electoral drama than what the Beehive State has become accustomed to. Two of the proposed seats, CD2 and CD3, sit inside single digits: Republican Donald Trump would have carried each by 6.5 points or less in 2024 and 2020, suggesting they could be competitive instead of a GOP lock. Voter registration numbers point in the same direction. Data provided to Utah Political Watch by the [political data firm L2](https://www.l2-data.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) shows Republicans make up under half of registered voters in CD2 and CD3, with Democrats nearing 20% in both. The percentage of unaffiliated voters who don’t belong to any political party is highest in CD2 on the proposed map at nearly 33%. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/10/2025.10.09-Option-C-registration-01.jpg) Utah congressional map proposal "Option C." Voter registration data from L2. Those shares shrink the GOP cushion. While CD2 and CD3 are still red, the Republican coalition is less locked. The partisan mix on Option C looks very different from the map tossed by Utah Third District Judge Dianna Gibson in August. On the invalidated map, Republicans held 50%+ registration in all four congressional seats, while Democrats sat at 15.5% or less. On Option C, the narrowest registration gap is in CD2 at about 25 points. CD 3 is about 29 points. That still points to a Republican advantage, but the spread is much tighter than the 2021 map, where the smallest registration gap was 35 points. ### Option C = Option Chaos. Legislature's map jams 3 Utah GOP incumbents into one district URL: https://utahpolitics.news/option-c-option-chaos-legislatures-map-jams-3-gop-incumbents-into-one-district/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T18:12:42.000Z The [congressional map approved by Utah lawmakers on Monday](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-judge-will-choose-from-three-possible-congressional-maps/) could stuff three Republican incumbents into the same district, forcing two of them to campaign in districts where they can't even vote for themselves. The map shuffle stems from the scramble following [Utah Third District Judge Dianna Gibson’s ruling](https://utahpolitics.news/judge-tosses-utahs-congressional-maps-orders-new-maps-in-30-days/) that the GOP-controlled legislature improperly killed Proposition 4, the anti-gerrymandering ballot measure approved by voters in 2018\. That decision torpedoed the map they approved in 2021, forcing the rare mid-decade do-over. Under the rules of Prop. 4, the redrawn maps must have equal populations across districts, minimize splitting counties, cities and communities of interest. The districts must be compact and the maps cannot favor or disadvantage a party, incumbent or candidate—including considering where an incumbent lives. Using voter data provided to Utah Political Watch by the [political data firm L2](https://www.l2-data.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news), it shows that Option C—the plan lawmakers approved on Monday—moves three of Utah’s four incumbent members of Congress inside the proposed 3rd District. - Rep. Mike Kennedy, the current 3rd District incumbent, lives in Alpine. - Rep. Blake Moore, the incumbent in the 1st District, is registered to vote in Salt Lake City. - Rep. Burgess Owens, who represents CD4, lists his home in Draper. Rep. Celeste Maloy, who lives in Cedar City, remains in CD2. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/10/1-1.jpg) Moore’s residence along the East Bench in Salt Lake City is approximately 10 miles south of the nearest boundary of the proposed First District, which encompasses Davis, Weber, Box Elder, Cache and Rich counties. Moore was criticized during his first campaign for Congress in 2020 for living outside the 1st District. That issue was rendered moot when lawmakers moved his home inside the district lines with the 2021 map. Owens would live about 2 miles east of the proposed 2nd District, which links western Salt Lake County with Tooele County. He already does not live inside the current 4th District; his home sits roughly 2 miles inside the 3rd, represented by Kennedy. Option C appears to create four districts that Donald Trump carried in 2020 and 2024\. But the 2nd and 3rd look more competitive, with Trump’s margins at 6.4 points or less. Option C is not the only map proposal Gibson is currently evaluating. The plaintiffs in the case also submitted two maps on Monday. Under proposal #1, Kennedy and Maloy are both inside the 3rd District. Moore lives in the Democratic-leaning 1st District while Owens resides in the 4th District. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/10/2-1.jpg) Under map #2, Kennedy and Owens share the 3rd District. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/10/3.jpg) Jamming three of the state’s four members of Congress into the same district is unusual, but not illegal. The Constitution only requires House members to be “inhabitants” of the state at the time of election. They do not have to live inside their district. This would likely be the first time that three members of Congress would live inside the same congressional district. Georgia came close in 2017\. GOP Rep. David Scott, then the 13th District member, lived in Democrat John Lewis’s 5th District. Democrat Jon Ossoff also lived in the 5th and would have been the third if he had won a special election that year. Utah voters have seen this before. Former Rep. Jason Chaffetz served his first two terms while living outside the 3rd District. He was [believed to be just the third House member](https://www.deseret.com/2008/11/5/20284337/chaffetz-may-be-first-to-not-live-in-district-he-represents/?ref=utahpolitics.news) to live outside district lines. Redistricting in 2011 moved him inside. In 2012, Democrat Jim Matheson ran in the newly created 4th District instead of the 2nd, where he lived, after legislative Republicans gerrymandered his old seat. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Shutdown scoreboard URL: https://utahpolitics.news/shutdown-scoreboard/ Last updated: 2025-10-08T13:55:34.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **27** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **104** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **391** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,126** --- ## Voters pin blame for shutdown on Trump and the GOP Day 8 of the shutdown, and voters mostly blame President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### New congressional maps and legislative shenanigans URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/podcast-new-congressional-maps-and-legislative-shenanigans/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T19:01:47.000Z Breaking down the three proposed replacement congressional maps that have been submitted to the court. Plus, the legislative maneuvers Republicans used to fast-track a brand-new law that sets standards for evaluating those maps. Critics allege that those standards actually require the state to pass gerrymandered maps. Listen and subscribe to the show [at this link](https://special-session.transistor.fm/s1/39?ref=utahpolitics.news). If you'd like to sponsor this podcast, email [schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news](mailto:schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news) **Note*: this is a recording of a livestream broadcast from 10/06/2025.* ### How splitting Salt Lake City could decide a Democratic seat or keep the GOP 4-0 hold URL: https://utahpolitics.news/how-splitting-salt-lake-city-could-decide-a-democratic-seat-or-keep-the-gop4-0-hold/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T18:12:53.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **28** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **105** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **392** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,127** --- ## Utah redistricting: Salt Lake City split shapes congressional maps Utah now has three competing congressional maps on the table after a judge tossed the old one in August—a choice that could lock in GOP control statewide or carve out a solid blue seat along the Wasatch Front. The Legislature advanced “Option C” in a Monday special session. Republicans favor it because it gives the GOP the best shot at holding all four U.S. House seats. Shortly after lawmakers approved their map, the plaintiffs in the gerrymandering case submitted two alternatives to the court. Both would disrupt the GOP hegemony in Utah's congressional delegation, but in different ways. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Utah judge will choose from three possible congressional maps URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-judge-will-choose-from-three-possible-congressional-maps/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T20:07:49.000Z A Utah judge will pick from three rival congressional maps that could decide whether Republicans keep a 4–0 lock on the state’s U.S. House seats in 2026\. One map comes from GOP lawmakers after a Monday special session. Two come from the plaintiffs who got the old map tossed. There are now three possible congressional maps that a Utah judge will pick from to give the state new districts during the 2026 midterms. One map was submitted by Utah lawmakers after a special legislative session on Monday. The other two [come from the plaintiffs](https://utah-politics.ghost.io/ghost/?ref=utahpolitics.news#/editor/post/68e4427d68416e00012d0182) in the case that caused Utah’s old maps to be thrown out. In August, 3rd District Court Judge Dianna Gibson ruled that the Utah Legislature [violated the state constitution](https://utahpolitics.news/judge-tosses-utahs-congressional-maps-orders-new-maps-in-30-days/) when they repealed Proposition 4, an anti-gerrymandering ballot measure approved by voters. In addition to banning partisan gerrymandering, Prop. 4 established an independent redistricting commission that is required to follow strict guidelines when drawing political boundaries. As part of her ruling, Gibson threw out the congressional map passed by lawmakers in 2021 and set an Oct. 6 deadline for submitting new map proposals. On Monday, the GOP-controlled Utah legislature voted mostly along party lines to submit a proposed congressional map, dubbed “Option C,” to the court as their replacement. They also passed SB1011, which instructs the court to use specific mathematical tests to check compliance with Prop. 4. While lawmakers swore that they did not consider any partisan data during the mapmaking process, one of the requirements under Prop. 4, [Option C looks like the most GOP-friendly of the five proposals](https://utahpolitics.news/analysis-proposed-utah-congressional-maps-could-crack-gop-stranglehold/) put forward by Republican lawmakers. It creates four districts that Donald Trump carried in 2020 and 2024\. The other four proposals include at least one district that a Democratic candidate would win under previous election results. During the public comment period, the Utah Republican Party, several county Republican parties and other GOP-aligned groups like the Utah Eagle Forum, [rallied support for Option C](https://utahpolitics.news/stop-the-democrats-utah-gop-rallies-support-for-congressional-map-that-prevents-a-blue-takeover/) because it gave them the best chance to hold on to all four seats in Congress. Following that vote, the plaintiffs in the case [submitted two congressional map proposals of their own](https://campaignlegal.org/document/plaintiffs-map-submission?ref=utahpolitics.news) to the court as alternatives to the legislature’s proposal. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/10/Utah-Plaintiff-Maps-1.png) Plaintiffs Utah congressional map proposal 1 The first map creates one congressional district that covers most of Salt Lake County except for the southwestern portion. The remaining three districts are divided among the rest of the state. - The 2nd District covers Davis, Weber, Cache, Rich and Box Elder counties. - The 3rd District splits Utah County in half, covering the western portion while pulling in the remaining part of Salt Lake County. Tooele, Juab, Sanpete and Sevier counties are also within those boundaries. - The 4th District is massive, covering the remainder of the state. In their court filing, the plaintiffs explain Map 1 comes from 10,000 simulated computer-generated maps in order to comply with SB1011, which lawmakers passed during Monday’s special session and Gov. Spencer Cox signed into law shortly after it was sent to his desk. That bill, from Sen. Brady Brammer created several mathematical formulas that the court is required to use to determine whether a map meets the requirements of Prop. 4\. However, those tests appear to be designed to ensure that the GOP will keep their electoral advantage. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/10/Utah-Plaintiff-Maps-2.png) Plaintiffs Utah congressional map proposal 2 The second map proposed by the plaintiffs is based on the Option C map approved by lawmakers. The primary difference is how Salt Lake County is divided. Under the plaintiffs’ map, more of Salt Lake City is connected with Tooele County in one district, while Option C slices Salt Lake City away from South Salt Lake and West Valley City, instead combining it with the eastern half of the state. The change keeps more of the Salt Lake urban core together. The court filing from the plaintiffs says that their second map has an 84.1% population overlap with Map C. Both sides in the case have until Oct. 17 to file briefs and materials to support or oppose the three map proposals, with a court hearing scheduled for Oct. 23 and 24. That might not be the end of the process. Several times on Monday lawmakers said they intend to appeal Gibson’s ruling to the Utah Supreme Court and U.S. Supreme Court, with the aim of making the 2021 map valid again. A final map proposal must be in place by Nov. 10 in order the Lt. Governor’s office to make preparations for the 2026 midterm elections. ![CTA Image](https://www.utahpoliticalwatch.news/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Brammer's grammar: Rewriting the rules of 'fair' districts URL: https://utahpolitics.news/brammers-grammar-rewriting-the-rules-of-fair-districts/ Last updated: 2025-10-06T14:26:37.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock The deadline for the Utah Legislature to approve a final congressional map proposal and submit it to the court is today. Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **29** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **106** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **393** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,128** --- ## Livestream tonight! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/10/What-the-heck-is-happening.png) Join us tonight at 6:30 pm to talk about what happened in today's redistricting/special session. Here's where you can watch and participate: - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@UtahPoliticalWatch?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/utahpoliticalwatch) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/schotthappens/?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news) - [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@schotthappens?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news) - [Twitch](https://www.twitch.tv/utah%5Fpolitics?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news) --- ****Editor's note:** The morning memo is usually for paying subscribers. Today's edition has been unlocked for non-subscribers. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber or making a one-time donation to support this work. [Upgrade to Paid](#/portal/signup) [Make a one-time donation](https://utahpolitics.news/tip-jar/) ## Brammer's triple play: Three tests, one GOP victory In a last-minute maneuver, Sen. Brady Brammer dropped some major changes to his bill on Friday afternoon, adding two new tests courts must use to determine if congressional maps are "fair"—a term that takes on a new meaning under his proposal. The changes are poised to sail through today's special legislative session without any meaningful public discussion, despite their far-reaching implications. At its core, [SB1011](https://le.utah.gov/~2025S1/bills/static/SB1011.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) enshrines a "partisan symmetry" formula that effectively cements Republican control by forcing all four districts to reflect Utah's deep-red voting patterns. Brammer's bill adds two more tests that claim to prevent gerrymandering but would actually strengthen Republican control. The first new test, called "ensemble analysis," requires generating 4,000 computer-simulated maps following Prop. 4 guidelines on population equality and community preservation. Any proposed map deviating from this computer-generated majority gets labeled as gerrymandered. In a state that votes overwhelmingly Republican, this test effectively kills any chance of creating a Democratic-leaning district. Brammer's second test, the "mean-median difference," appears equally neutral but carries similar partisan implications. It measures how far a party's district-level performance strays from its statewide average. Maps showing more than 2% deviation get axed - a requirement that essentially mandates each district mirror Utah's Republican-dominated statewide results. The foundation for all three tests [rests on Brammer's "partisan index"](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-republicans-drop-a-redistricting-poison-pill/)—a calculation that averages results from the three most recent statewide races for president, governor, and other top offices. Conveniently, Brammer inserted a provision that counts Phil Lyman's 13.57% write-in votes from the 2024 governor's race as Republican votes. This inflates the GOP average by more than 4.5% and makes a significant impact on any calculation of "fairness." While the original bill got a perfunctory hearing in the Redistricting Committee last month, the major revisions will see their first public airing today on the Senate floor just minutes before the vote. The breakneck schedule of today's special session ensures these significant changes to Utah's election law dodge meaningful scrutiny in either chamber. Perhaps most brazenly, Brammer's bill tilts the judicial scales in favor of the legislature. Courts must now use only these three Republican-friendly tests to evaluate district maps. Pass these tests, and a map proposal becomes immune to gerrymandering challenges. The timing isn't coincidental. Lawmakers will vote today on a replacement for the congressional map that Judge Dianna Gibson struck down in August. If Brammer's bill passes both houses with a two-thirds majority, an almost certainty, it will take effect when Gov. Spencer Cox signs it, forcing Gibson to evaluate the new map using these carefully crafted parameters that favor Republican control. ### Mike Lee gets weird about teenage fantasies URL: https://utahpolitics.news/mike-lee-gets-weird-about-teenage-fantasies/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T16:38:18.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until the deadline for the Utah Legislature to approve a final congressional map proposal and submit it to the court (10/6/2025) - **3** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **32** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **109** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **396** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,131** --- ## While other teenagers dreamed of prom, Mike Lee says this Trump advisor dreamed of shutting down the government In a cringe-worthy moment, Utah Sen. Mike Lee suggested the government shutdown would help President Donald Trump's budget chief, Russ Vought, fulfill a long-held teenage fantasy. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Utah Democrats told to abandon GOP infiltration strategy and 'come home.' Data shows tactic was largely ineffective. URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-democrats-told-to-abandon-gop-infiltration-strategy-and-come-home-data-shows-tactic-was-largely-ineffective/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T17:16:35.000Z Utah Republicans have long accused Democrats of infiltrating their closed primary elections by registering as GOP members, a controversial practice known as "party raiding." Even some Democrats believe their members are doing it. Utah Democratic Party chairman Brian King says it’s time for those Democrats in Republican clothing to “come home.” The theory behind party raiding goes something like this. Utah is so overwhelmingly Republican that whoever the GOP nominates in many races will most likely win in November. The only way for Democrats to have any influence on the electoral outcome is to register as a Republican and vote in their primary elections or become a convention delegate, possibly giving a boost to a candidate that is more moderate instead of a more extreme Republican candidate. In a news release, King says the strategy isn’t working, arguing that Democrats’ Republican registrations artificially inflate GOP numbers and give the GOP cover to dismiss opposing viewpoints. "Republicans point to registration numbers as justification to ignore Utahns who disagree with them. It's time to take that excuse away,” King said. “Even relatively moderate and principled Republicans, with few exceptions, end up enabling and facilitating (President Donald) Trump and his allies’ authoritarian efforts. Having some input at Republican caucuses, conventions, and primaries simply is not stemming the tide,” King added. There’s one big problem with this narrative: It isn’t true. Data shows that party switching in Utah is driven primarily by unaffiliated voters changing their registrations, not Democrats becoming Republicans. [The largest “party raiding” spike in Utah](https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2020/06/jon-huntsman-democrats-utah/?ref=utahpolitics.news) happened during the 2020 gubernatorial race, sparked by former Utah Democratic Party Chairman and state Senator Jim Dabakis’s public campaign to encourage Democrats to vote in the closed Republican primary. Dabakis, [who registered as a Republican himself,](https://www.deseret.com/utah/2020/5/25/21265091/join-republican-party-primary-election-gop-governor-race/?ref=utahpolitics.news) called it the only path for minority party voters to influence what he termed a “rigged election.” It appears that most of the voters who followed Dabakis’ example were unaffiliated voters joining the GOP. According to a [Princeton’s Electoral Innovation Lab study](https://election.princeton.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Utah-memo-final.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news) - Republican registrations before the 2020 primary increased by 97,382, but only 7,796 came from Democrats. - The number of unaffiliated voters decreased by 60,878 during that time. - Post-primary registrations showed that just 2,509 voters returned to the Democratic party. Subsequent years showed similar patterns. In 2022 [only 9,000 Democrats switched ](https://kutv.com/news/local/utah-political-party-switching-deadline-number-march-31-senate-primary-republican-democrat-unaffiliated?ref=utahpolitics.news)to the GOP. In 2024, [about 26,000 Utahns changed their party affiliation](https://www.ksl.com/article/51102520/how-voter-affiliation-has-changed-this-year-in-utah?ref=utahpolitics.news), but most of those were Republicans and Democrats becoming unaffiliated. In 2021, Utah lawmakers moved the deadline for voters affiliated with a political party to change their registration before a primary election to March 31\. Two years later, lawmakers tightened the deadline to change parties in presidential election years, moving the date to Jan. 9. Despite those changes, and all evidence to the contrary, the specter of Democrats masquerading as Republicans has spooked GOP members, leaders, and lawmakers who use it as a convenient explanation when the party strays from their interpretation of conservative orthodoxy. Just last week, Dalane England, from the arch-conservative Utah Eagle Forum, decried the practice while offering public comment during a legislative hearing. “More important than the law is the higher law, the moral law,” England told the legislature’s Redistricting Committee. “There are people who are dishonest, who sign up to be Republicans who are clearly Democrats. They show up at our caucus meetings, so there is a level of immorality.” The data suggests otherwise. ![CTA Image](https://www.utahpoliticalwatch.news/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Utah GOP's redistricting gamble: New map could make or break House control URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-gops-redistricting-gamble-new-map-could-make-or-break-house-control/ Last updated: 2025-10-02T13:58:22.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until the deadline for the Utah Legislature to approve a final congressional map proposal and submit it to the court (10/6/2025) - **4** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **33** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **110** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **397** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,132** --- ## Map roulette: Maximum GOP gains come with maximum risk Utah Republicans could be gambling with control of Congress in 2026\. When they vote Monday on a new congressional map, they're likely to choose "Option C"—a plan that could either cement their power or spectacularly backfire. The stakes couldn't be higher for Beehive State Republicans. Here's why. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### 'Stop the Democrats.' Utah GOP rallies support for congressional map that prevents a 'blue takeover' URL: https://utahpolitics.news/stop-the-democrats-utah-gop-rallies-support-for-congressional-map-that-prevents-a-blue-takeover/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T17:51:10.000Z Utah Republican lawmakers have preached the gospel of avoiding partisan considerations as they prepare to vote on a new congressional map next week. At the same time, the Utah Republican Party has launched a coordinated push for the most GOP-friendly congressional map on the table—one that could preserve their lock on all four of the state’s seats in Congress. The playing field for Utah’s unusual mid-decade redistricting process is shaped by Proposition 4, the voter-approved anti-gerrymandering initiative that set strict redistricting standards: equal population distribution, minimal splitting of communities. Most importantly, Prop. 4 banned the drawing of maps to favor any political party. These rules now bind lawmakers [after a judge invalidated their attempt](https://utahpolitics.news/judge-tosses-utahs-congressional-maps-orders-new-maps-in-30-days/) to sidestep voter wishes by unconstitutionally repealing Prop. 4 in 2020. In public meetings, Republican lawmakers [have gone out of their way](https://utahpolitics.news/redistricting-redux-how-utah-republicans-plan-to-redefine-fair-maps/) to maintain a strict facade of political neutrality. Sen. Scott Sandall, co-chair of the legislature’s Redistricting Committee, has repeatedly slapped down any discussion that contained the slightest whiff of partisanship. While lawmakers can’t discuss partisan information when drawing the maps, there’s nothing in the law about political parties. And while the Utah GOP’s first choice would probably be to keep the 2021 congressional map in place because it all but guarantees a Republican victory in the state’s four congressional districts, they’ve landed on a new map they think gives them the greatest partisan advantage. On Tuesday night, the party sent an email urging members to flood the legislature’s redistricting website with comments supporting the map labeled [“Option C.”](https://citygate.utleg.gov/legdistricting/comments/plan/235/12?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news) “Outside groups are seizing this opportunity for a ‘blue takeover’ that would fundamentally change Utah’s voice in Washington,” the email read. “This is the only map proposed that contains the redistricting criteria and legislative boundaries needed to stop the Democrats.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/10/Screenshot-2025-10-01-at-11.45.22.png) Email from the Utah Republican Party urging support for "Option C" map proposal. The email offers talking points about how the map satisfies the criteria set by the court, including equal population, minimizing the splitting up of cities and counties, and preserving traditional neighborhoods. As of Wednesday morning, several comments left on Option C parroted or mirrored the talking points in the GOP email. Utah GOP chairman Rob Axson did not respond to a request for comment. In a press release, Utah Democratic Chair Brian King slammed the Republican effort, characterizing it as “putting their finger on the scale to preserve power.” “For weeks, Republican members of the redistricting committee have lectured Utahns about avoiding partisan commentary and keeping politics out of the process. Meanwhile, their own party is flooding inboxes with instructions on which map to support—because it’s the least competitive—and defend it. The hypocrisy is stunning,” King said. Among the five proposals, Option C seems to be the most Republican-friendly. It carves out two bulletproof Republican seats where Republican Donald Trump’s victory margins would exceed 20 points in both 2020 and 2024\. The remaining two districts also tilt red, though by slimmer margins. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/10/2025.10.01-XGR-Option-C-2-1.png) When the five maps proposed by legislative Republicans are analyzed for potential political bias, Option C just happens to be tilted toward Republicans the most. [Using Plan Score](https://planscore.org/plan.html?20251001T172505.813799481Z&ref=utahpolitics.news), a nonpartisan redistricting analysis tool, even the most "competitive" districts in Option C give Democrats just a 9% and 3% chance of victory against Republican incumbents. For comparison, every other proposed map includes at least one district where Democratic chances rise to between 21% and 31%—still an uphill battle, but potentially winnable. One measure of partisan fairness in redistricting is [known as the “efficiency gap”](https://www.brennancenter.org/sites/default/files/legal-work/How%5Fthe%5FEfficiency%5FGap%5FStandard%5FWorks.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news)—essentially how many votes get “wasted” by each party. Option C produces an efficiency gap of 22.9% favoring Republicans, far beyond the 7% threshold experts consider an indication of potential gerrymandering. The other Republican-proposed maps, while all showing significant Republican advantages above 17%, don't tilt the playing field quite as dramatically as Option C. Republican lawmakers are pushing their own measure of fairness. [A proposed bill](https://le.utah.gov/interim/2025/pdf/00003633.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news) from Sen. Brady Brammer introduces a standard of “partisan symmetry” with a twist that could [lock in a Republican advantage](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-republicans-drop-a-redistricting-poison-pill/), preserving the status quo. The concept sounds simple. If Republicans win 55% of seats with 55% of votes, Democrats should get the same results if the roles were reversed. However, the creators of this method have cautioned against using it in politically one-sided states like Utah. Brammer’s bill goes one step further. It creates a complex formula based on recent statewide election results that would normalize Utah’s Republican dominance. Under this standard, all five proposed maps—including Option C—would be considered “fair” despite their pronounced Republican lean. Even the 2021 congressional map, which was thrown out by the courts, would likely pass Brammer’s test. Lawmakers may consider Brammer’s bill during Monday’s scheduled special session, where they will also approve a final map proposal to submit to the court. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Two competitive congressional seats? In Republican Utah? URL: https://utahpolitics.news/two-competitive-congressional-seats-in-republican-utah/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T16:39:54.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until the deadline for the Utah Legislature to approve a final congressional map proposal and submit it to the court (10/6/2025) - **5** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **34** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **111** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **398** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,133** --- ## Livestream tonight! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/10/What-the-heck-is-happening.png) Join us tonight at 6:30 to talk about what's happening in Utah politics. Bring your questions! Here's where you can watch and participate: - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@UtahPoliticalWatch?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/utahpoliticalwatch) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/schotthappens/?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news) - [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@schotthappens?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news) - [Twitch](https://www.twitch.tv/utah%5Fpolitics?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news) --- ## Could redrawn congressional map backfire on Republicans? As lawmakers prepare to vote on new congressional maps on Monday, one map proposal has reportedly emerged as the frontrunner. However, Utah Republicans may have accidentally created a vulnerability that could carry electoral consequences for the state’s dominant political party. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Sen. Mike Lee has railed against spending on foreign aid. With a $20B bailout for Argentina on deck, he's not saying a word. URL: https://utahpolitics.news/sen-mike-lee-has-railed-against-spending-on-foreign-aid-with-a-20b-bailout-for-argentina-on-deck-hes-not-saying-a-word/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T16:40:36.000Z Sen. Mike Lee once called Argentina’s Javier Milei the first politician he’d “idolized.” Now, as the Trump administration [reportedly prepares a $20 billion bailout](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/09/28/argentina-us-bailout-package/?ref=utahpolitics.news) to prop up Milei’s government ahead of U.S. midterms, the Utah Republican—long a foe of foreign aid—has gone quiet. Will Lee’s anti-foreign aid absolutism survive when it’s a foreign leader he champions? Since he became president of Argentina in 2023, Lee has lavished praise on Javier Milei and his libertarian economic proposals to shrink the state and deregulate the economy. He's urged the United States to follow suit. Now, with Washington weighing tens of billions of dollars to rescue Milei, Lee doesn't have much to say. Milei was [propelled to victory](https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/argentina-presidential-election-key-takeaways-mileis-win-2023-11-20/?ref=utahpolitics.news) due to widespread voter dissatisfaction with the country’s economic crisis and persistent poverty. Inflation skyrocketed to more than 140% in 2023\. He promised to enact a sweeping overhaul of the economy plus enormous cuts to government spending. Supporters dubbed his policies “chainsaw economics” due to his penchant for brandishing a chainsaw during the campaign. Lee was immediately smitten, applauding Milei’s fiscal austerity and deregulation push. In January 2024, Lee posted on social media that Milei was the first politician he’s idolized, and that the U.S. should follow Argentina’s lead. > I don’t idolize politicians. > > And I’ve never wished the U.S. would follow Argentina’s lead. > > Until now. > > We need to clone Javier Milei. [https://t.co/Pys3SA6cDf](https://t.co/Pys3SA6cDf?ref=utahpolitics.news) > > — Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) [January 3, 2024](https://twitter.com/BasedMikeLee/status/1742417948239941851?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) Later in 2024, Lee reposted a video of Milei at the inauguration of El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele with the caption, “Javier Milei = badass.” Lee was among several high-ranking Republicans who also attended the event. > Javier Milei = badass > > [pic.twitter.com/yHsge20qBE](https://t.co/yHsge20qBE?ref=utahpolitics.news) > > — Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) [June 1, 2024](https://twitter.com/BasedMikeLee/status/1796970261084025102?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) He kept posting about Milei, at one point saying [America needed a “Milei moment.”](https://x.com/BasedMikeLee/status/1853607723654643820?ref=utahpolitics.news) He's also joked that Sen. Rand Paul should run for president in 2028 [with Milei as his running mate](https://x.com/BasedMikeLee/status/1741162870153629877?ref=utahpolitics.news). At first Milei’s efforts worked. Inflation [dropped to below 45%](https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/oecd-economic-surveys-argentina-2025%5F27dd6e27-en/full-report/macroeconomic-developments-and-policy-challenges%5F8e6a0236.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) by mid-2025 and the government achieved a fiscal surplus for the first time in over a decade. However, [that progress stalled](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/26/world/americas/milei-argentina-economy.html?ref=utahpolitics.news). With Argentina on the verge of falling into a recession, the Trump administration is preparing to extend a $20 billion lifeline to Milei’s government. Lee has been strangely silent about Milei and the bailout package, especially given his longtime opposition to U.S. spending on foreign aid. In 2024, [he filibustered a $95 billion package](https://www.deseret.com/2024/2/12/24070755/sen-mike-lee-paul-rand-4-hour-filibuster-ukraine-foreign-aid/?ref=utahpolitics.news) for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. When it passed, he called the vote “shameful,” accusing colleagues of “spending money that doesn’t belong to them.” Now, as the Trump administration moves to prop up Milei ahead of Argentina’s midterm elections next month, Lee has remained mum. Lee’s office did not respond to a request for comment about whether he supported the bailout plan. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Who will voters blame for a government shutdown? URL: https://utahpolitics.news/who-will-voters-blame-for-a-government-shutdown/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T16:40:49.000Z Days until the deadline for the Utah Legislature to approve a final congressional map proposal and submit it to the court (10/6/2025) - **6** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **35** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **112** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **399** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,134** --- ## Who will voters hold accountable if the government shuts down? The federal government stands on the brink of shutdown as Congress careens toward a midnight deadline to pass a funding bill. With Republicans and Democrats locked in a standoff over healthcare funding, one question looms large: Who will American voters say is to blame? _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Utah's Owens joins push against non-existent Sharia Law threat URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utahs-owens-joins-push-against-non-existent-sharia-law-threat/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T16:34:31.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until the deadline for the Utah Legislature to approve a final congressional map proposal and submit it to the court (10/6/2025) - **7** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **36** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **113** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **400** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,135** --- ## Rep. Burgess Owens backs bill to ban Sharia Law Utah Rep. Burgess Owens has joined a controversial push to ban Islamic law from American courtrooms—despite no evidence of its implementation in any U.S. jurisdiction. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Spencer Cox's curious, camera-shy behavior at Charlie Kirk's memorial URL: https://utahpolitics.news/spencer-coxs-curious-camera-shy-behavior-at-charlie-kirks-memorial/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T17:51:42.000Z Utah Gov. Spencer Cox was among the crowd of high-profile political figures who attended the memorial service for political commentator Charlie Kirk. However, he made an unusual effort to remain invisible among the mourners on Sunday. [Kirk was shot and killed](https://utahpolitics.news/i-want-to-be-clear-this-is-a-political-assassination/) during an appearance at Utah Valley University earlier this month. Cox has been praised for his response, calling for the rejection of political violence and extremism. Video footage of the event shows Cox and his chief of staff, John Pierpont, in a section alongside Trump administration cabinet members, with the governor behind Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Cox's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment about his presence at the event. Other attendees confirmed that Cox was there. Cox left the event before speeches from Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk's widow, Vice President JD Vance and President Donald Trump. Cox's office did not explain why. Sen. Mike Lee, Rep. Celeste Maloy, and Attorney General Derek Brown were among the other top Utah Republican officials who traveled to Arizona for the service. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/09/2025.09.26-Cox-circle-closeup.png) Gov. Spencer Cox attending the memorial service for Charlie Kirk in Phoenix, Arizona on Sept. 21, 2025 (Screengrab via YouTube) It appeared that Cox tried to keep a low profile during the event by wearing a white ball cap with Kirk's initials in gold letters. A review of the video shows Cox wore the hat throughout the memorial. One attendee who recognized Cox in the crowd told Utah Political Watch, "I've never seen him wear a hat in my life, and he decided a memorial service was the first time?" Cox seemingly went to great lengths to hide from the cameras on Sunday. When one speaker urged the audience to stand, the video feed briefly switched to show Cox's section. He can be seen tipping his cap but keeps his face pointed at the floor. 0:00 /0:08 1× Cox’s efforts to remain invisible at the memorial service, seem to be at odds with his elevated national profile The national media, including an upcoming 60 Minutes feature set to air on Sunday, has praised his calls for rejecting political violence and extremism. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Spencer Cox's time in the spotlight URL: https://utahpolitics.news/spencer-coxs-time-in-the-spotlight/ Last updated: 2025-09-26T13:53:53.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until the deadline for the Utah Legislature to approve a final congressional map proposal and submit it to the court (10/6/2025) - **10** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **39** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **116** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **403** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,138** --- [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/09/2025.09.25-pull-punches.png)](https://utahpolitics.news/membership/) ****Journalism that's not afraid to tell it like it is.** We don't answer to corporate overlords or political agendas. If you think that Utah needs honest reporting without fear or favor, consider supporting our work by becoming a paid subscriber. [Upgrade to paid ](https://utahpolitics.news/membership/) ## Spencer Cox is having a moment In the aftermath of the Charlie Kirk assassination, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has become a bit of a media darling for his calls to turn down the heated political rhetoric. He's been interviewed on national television and has been lauded [in newspapers](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/19/opinion/ezra-klein-podcast-spencer-cox.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) and [magazines](https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/09/spencer-cox-charlie-kirk-trump/684203/?ref=utahpolitics.news) for being seen as a voice of reason following the shocking violence at Utah Valley University. 60 Minutes is the latest to turn the spotlight on Cox. The program will air a piece about him on Sunday. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPCQrTHEXKC/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by 60 Minutes (@60minutes)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPCQrTHEXKC/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) Cox's message about the dangers of social media in our powder keg political environment is quite deserving of the national attention. But it might not be as well-received among the home crowd in Utah. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Partisan accusations derail final Utah redistricting hearing URL: https://utahpolitics.news/partisan-accusations-derail-final-utah-redistricting-hearing/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T20:08:01.000Z What was supposed to be a routine map-drawing exercise erupted into political drama at the final meeting of [Utah's Legislative Redistricting Committee](https://le.utah.gov/committee/committee.jsp?year=2025&com=SPELRD&ref=utahpolitics.news), where accusations of hidden data, partisan motivations, and five-year-old social media posts overshadowed the committee’s work of redrawing the state's congressional boundaries. The Republican majority opened with their [five proposed maps](https://utahpolitics.news/analysis-proposed-utah-congressional-maps-could-crack-gop-stranglehold/), crafted under the guidance of their preferred expert, [Dr. Sean Trende](https://www.realclearpolitics.com/authors/sean%5Ftrende/?ref=utahpolitics.news)—a conservative political analyst who has become the go-to redistricting authority for GOP lawmakers nationwide. Then it was time for Sen. Luz Escamilla and Rep. Doug Owens, the only Democrats on the 10-person committee, to unveil their map. To assist them, they brought in their own expert, [Dr. Daniel Magleby](https://sites.google.com/binghamton.edu/magleby/home?ref=utahpolitics.news), associate professor of political science and economics at SUNY Binghamton. The fireworks started when Magleby complained that he had not been able to fully evaluate the majority’s map proposals because he had not been given access to the full data used by Trende to produce them. “There are several questions about how he’s applied that methodology and what’s missing from the analysis he’s conducted or at least reported here,” Magleby said, noting that the data was finally made available publicly shortly before the hearing began. The Republican majority on the committee [has gone out of its way](https://utahpolitics.news/redistricting-redux-how-utah-republicans-plan-to-redefine-fair-maps/) to adhere to Prop. 4’s exclusion of the use of any sort of political data to draw the new congressional boundaries. When Owens suggested that some sort of political consideration might be part of the data that was withheld from them, committee co-chair Sen. Scott Sandall exploded. > **Owens**: “We strongly suspect there was a data set incorporated into the tests that Dr. Trende applied, and we are unable to verify. It’s as if we’re told to buy a car and we can’t lift the hood and look.” > > **Sandall**: “Representative, you just demeaned us. You demeaned us to the audience. You called us somehow hiding or lying about everything that we’ve presented to say that our maps were not developed with any political data. You just misrepresented that, and that’s out of order.” > > **Owens**: “May I apologize and clarify, Senator? That’s not my intention. We have a suspicion that may have been done.” > > **Sandall**: “You didn’t say you had a suspicion; you called us out. > > **Owens**: “We strongly suspect that’s been done. I don’t think there’s knowledge on the part of any committee member. I think there’s been a formulation of a test that looks like it’s mathematically specifically representative.” When it was the committee members' turn to ask questions, Rep. Cal Roberts flipped the perception of bias back on the Democrats, using a five-year-old X/Twitter Magleby, where he said the gerrymandered congressional map approved by lawmakers in 2021 was “straight out of the authoritarian playbook.” [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-24-at-17.06.29.png)](https://x.com/DanielMagleby/status/1458374869205270531?ref=utahpolitics.news) “Dr. Magleby, you’ve used the word ‘bias’ a lot, and I want to talk to you today about bias, and it’s important because we know that a biased source will yield a biased map,” Roberts said. After reading the full social media post out loud, Roberts asked Magleby, “Do you think this legislature is authoritarian?” After saying he did not remember the post Roberts was referring to, Magleby said he did not believe the Utah Legislature was “authoritarian.” “I have high hopes you will do well by the people of Utah, giving them a map that represents their interests in Washington,” Magleby said. Roberts, seemingly armed with a catalogue of Magleby's past social media activity, pressed further. “October first, 2020, you said, ‘The system is already rigged in favor of Republicans. Democrats can make things a little better if they add (Washington) D.C., and Puerto Rico as states.’ I have to say the people of Utah are going to ask, and the media should ask, if it is your intent to use this map to rig the system in favor of Democrats.” Roberts asked. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-24-at-17.06.53.png)](https://x.com/DanielMagleby/status/1311729142392446976?ref=utahpolitics.news) “That’s not my intention with this map, I have no intention of rigging the system,” Magleby responded. Roberts then turned to Sen. Escamilla, asking, “Aren’t you concerned about the optics of tweets from your expert that read like a left-wing activist?” Escamilla pushed back, pointing out that Trende, who was hired as an expert by the legislature, is typically associated with Republicans. “I think you’re actually getting to the core of the problem, and that is we’re supposed to work as a legislature in a non-partisan way for this process,” Escamilla said. “Dr. Trende looks to me very suspicious, like Dr. Magleby looks for you. But they are experts in their areas.” Escamilla added they were forced to hire Magleby independently from the legislature because they weren’t given the same access to Trende as the Republican majority. A 10-day public comment period begins Thursday on all proposed maps, none of which received the committee's official recommendation. This means every map submitted to the redistricting website before Thursday could potentially be adopted when the full legislature votes during their October 6 special session. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Decision day for Utah's congressional map do-over URL: https://utahpolitics.news/decision-day-for-utahs-congressional-map-do-over/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T18:13:08.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock The court-mandated deadline for lawmakers to publish new congressional maps is tomorrow (9/25/2025) Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **41** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **118** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **405** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,140** --- ## Livestream tonight! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/09/What-the-heck-is-happenng-01-2.png) Join us tonight at 6:30 as we look at the map recommendations from the Redistricting Committee and anything else that's happening in the news. Plus, your questions! If you missed last night's livestream, you can [find a replay here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kSFGannTfQ&ref=utahpolitics.news). Here's where you can participate: - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@UtahPoliticalWatch?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/utahpoliticalwatch) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/schotthappens/?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news) - [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@schotthappens?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news) - [Twitch](https://www.twitch.tv/utah%5Fpolitics?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news) --- ****Editor's note:** The morning memo is usually for paying subscribers. Today's edition has been unlocked for non-subscribers. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber or making a one-time donation to support this work. [Make a one-time donation](https://utahpolitics.news/tip-jar/) ## It's map day! ![](https://media.tenor.com/ENVE-ouCaSEAAAAC/dora-hola.gif) [Utah’s redistricting committee](https://le.utah.gov/committee/committee.jsp?year=2025&com=SPELRD&ref=utahpolitics.news) meets later today to select congressional maps, which kicks off a 10-day comment period that will likely determine the state’s political boundaries for the 2026 midterms. The committee released [five proposed maps on Sunday](https://utahpolitics.news/analysis-proposed-utah-congressional-maps-could-crack-gop-stranglehold/), but there are two additional submissions that could emerge as alternatives. The first comes from Sen. Luz Escamilla and Rep. Doug Owens, the two Democrats on the 10-person committee. Their proposal creates two smaller districts mostly centered around the population centers in Salt Lake and Utah Counties while dividing up the rest of the state across the other two. Using precinct-level election data from Redistricter, had their map been in place for the 2024 election, Republican Donald Trump would have carried three of the four districts, while Democrat Kamala Harris would have prevailed in the seat centered around Salt Lake City. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/09/EscamillaOwens-map-proposal-1.png) Map proposal from Sen. Luz Escamilla and Rep. Doug Owens overlaid with Utah's 2024 presidential election results. Sen. Scott Sandall, the Senate chair from the 2021 and current redistricting efforts, has said that the "pizza slice" congressional map passed in 2021 initially came from a map submitted by a member of the public. For that reason, it's worth paying attention to this map from Andrew Dugan, who hails from Frisco, Texas. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/09/2025.09.24-Dugan-Map-01-1.png) Map submission from Andrew Dugan overlaid with Utah's 2024 presidential election results. Dugan's map, which precisely fits the district-level population requirements, creates a single congressional seat that's mostly centered in the southern part of Salt Lake County but also pulls in parts of Alpine and Highland. Curiously, the map offsets any electoral impact from heavily Democratic Salt Lake City by pairing it with the Republican stronghold in the southern part of the state. Had this map been in place in 2024, Trump would have carried all four seats, but two of them would have been by 10.5 percent or less. The knock against this map is that there's one district that does not achieve the urban/rural mix that the Republican majority in the legislature says is one of their guiding principles. ### Americans are feeling glum about the economy URL: https://utahpolitics.news/americans-are-feeling-glum-about-the-economy/ Last updated: 2025-09-23T13:36:25.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until the court-mandated deadline for lawmakers to publish new congressional maps (9/25/2025) - **2** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **42** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **119** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **406** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,141** --- ### Livestream with me! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/09/What-the-heck-is-happening.png) We had a lively and informative livestream last night discussing the first meeting of the redistricting committee, breaking down some proposed congressional maps, and Sen. Brady Brammer's surprise redistricting bill. It was so interesting, Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz popped in to check it out! If you missed it, [you can watch a replay here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksnPuYoncbQ&ref=utahpolitics.news). Join us tonight at 6:30, and we'll do it all again. Here's where to watch: - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@UtahPoliticalWatch?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/utahpoliticalwatch) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/schotthappens/?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news) - [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@schotthappens?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news) - [Twitch](https://www.twitch.tv/utah%5Fpolitics?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news) --- ## Americans really don't feel great about the economy right now Most Americans aren't feeling very rosy about the state of the economy right now. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Redistricting redux: How Utah Republicans plan to redefine 'fair' maps URL: https://utahpolitics.news/redistricting-redux-how-utah-republicans-plan-to-redefine-fair-maps/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T20:01:54.000Z Utah Republicans are clearly unhappy they’re being forced back to the drawing board—literally—as they grudgingly redraw congressional maps that a judge threw out in August. Sen. Scott Sandall, who is leading the redistricting effort for the second time, expressed his displeasure about the situation at the start of Monday’s initial hearing of the Legislative Redistricting Committee. “We are doing this in compliance with the court’s orders and under protest, but we want to make sure that we maintain our constitutional duty to produce a map,” Sandall said. Several Utahns who showed up to give public comment either in person or virtually on Monday afternoon scolded Sandall and the other Republicans on the committee following his statement. “You said you were here under protest,” Julie Quinlan from Box Elder County said. “I’m sad to hear this because you’re basically saying you didn’t want to be here. That you don’t care about the voice of the people and that you’re saying you like our gerrymandered districts.” Committee members, mostly the Republicans, have their hackles raised because they’re required to follow the rules for drawing maps established by Prop. 4\. They seem particularly salty about its prohibition against the use of partisan data to draw districts. “I just want to remind the public and our committee members in particular that this process is different from our committee before in that we cannot consider any partisan data in the consideration of these maps,” Sandall said. “I will remind the public that as you consider what you may say to us today in public comment, we cannot consider any partisanship. If that’s part of your testimony, know that it has to be disallowed in our minds.” Sandall seemed determined to overcomply with the court’s direction on following the rules, immediately slamming the door on any discussion that seemed to be veering into the forbidden partisan zone. Monday’s hearing mostly revolved around [five proposed congressional maps](https://utahpolitics.news/analysis-proposed-utah-congressional-maps-could-crack-gop-stranglehold/) and a surprise bill that rewrites Prop. 4, mandating the use of a controversial metric to evaluate whether those maps give an unfair advantage to a political party or candidate. While Prop. 4 prohibits the use of partisan data to evaluate any map proposal, there’s also no concrete standard for determining whether the map would pass muster. Currently, the statute calls for the use of “the best available data” to evaluate maps, including “measures of partisan symmetry.” That specific reference to “partisan symmetry” may have given Republicans an opening. "Partisan symmetry" is like a political fairness test: if Party A gets 60% of the votes and wins 60% of the seats, then Party B should also win 60% of the seats when they get 60% of the votes. This principle helps identify whether district maps unfairly favor one party over another. [Proposed legislation from Sen. Brady Brammer](https://le.utah.gov/interim/2025/pdf/00003633.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news) creates a complicated mathematical formula to assess whether Utah’s maps meet the “partisan symmetry” standard required by Prop. 4. “Utah is the first state to put in code the term ‘partisan symmetry’ as a redistricting criterion,” Brammer said. Brammer’s bill calculates the average Republican and Democratic vote share from the three most recent statewide elections for U.S. President, Governor, Attorney General, State Treasurer, and State Auditor. That average is then either added to or subtracted from a hypothetical 50-50 split in the vote to determine the “partisan index.” So long as the districts on a proposed map fit within the gap between those two numbers, it would not violate the standards. In simplistic terms, Brammer’s proposal aims to make each district mirror statewide election results. Brammer argued that his legislation establishes well defined parameters to prevent partisan gerrymandering. “Here’s a scenario where you have four seats. If you were to create a scenario where a minority party has a 95% chance of winning, what that does to the rest of the map is create no chance of winning in the other three seats,” Brammer explained. “You’ve created a system where, in those three seats, you have representatives who are more likely to run to the extreme of their party. They do not have to listen to their constituencies because you’ve created something where the map only favors one party.” Mark Gaber, Senior Director of Redistricting for the Campaign Legal Center, called Brammer’s proposal a cynical attempt to rewrite Prop. 4 to favor Utah’s Republican majority. “Prop. 4 says that courts are supposed to look at the best available data, including partisan symmetry, to assess maps. This disregards that broad evidentiary requirement and uses one particular version of one particular metric,” Gaber said. Campaign Legal Center represented the plaintiffs in the lawsuit that led to the invalidation of Utah’s current congressional map last month. According to Gaber, the maps thrown out by a judge last month would likely pass muster under Brammer’s proposal. He adds that even those who developed the “partisan symmetry” standard have said that it was not meant to be applied to states like Utah, where most elections are noncompetitive. “It’s reverse engineered to see which test benefits the majority party, then redefines Prop. 4 to meet that test,” Gaber said. Perhaps most telling, Brammer’s bill contains a provision that reallocates the 13.57% of the vote captured by Phil Lyman in the 2024 gubernatorial election back to the Republican party, but excludes the 42.74% of the vote independent Evan McMullin got in the 2022 U.S. Senate race from the Democratic average. Although the committee did not take any action on Brammer’s bill Monday, he’s targeting it for inclusion on the agenda for the special legislative session when lawmakers will vote on a final map proposal next month. If it passes with a ⅔ vote, it goes into effect immediately if the governor signs it or his veto is overridden. Several members of the public used Monday’s hearing to vent long-simmering frustrations over the state’s gerrymandered political maps, especially when it comes to Salt Lake County, which lawmakers split four ways under the maps they approved in 2021. “It does seem to me that the legislature is intent on slicing up my county every which way possible and every way they can be legally allowed to do so,” James Carter, a Salt Lake County resident, said. “I’m simply asking for the most fundamental of requests in this country, and that is I want to be represented in my government.” “Please respect the will of the voters and not ignore us. We are the people. You are accountable to us,” Tiffany Smith said. The next meeting for the committee is Wednesday at 11 am. According to the court-mandated timeline, all the map proposals must be finalized by Thursday, followed by 10 days of public comment. Lawmakers will then convene in a special session on Oct. 6 to vote on a final map that will be submitted to the court. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Utah Republicans drop a redistricting "poison pill" URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-republicans-drop-a-redistricting-poison-pill/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T17:51:58.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until the court-mandated deadline for lawmakers to publish new congressional maps (9/25/2025) - **3** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **43** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **120** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **407** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,142** --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/09/What-the-heck-is-happenng-01-1.png) Join us for a livestream this evening to discuss what is happening in Utah politics. Here's where to watch: - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@UtahPoliticalWatch?ref=utahpolitics.news) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/utahpoliticalwatch) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/schotthappens/?ref=utahpolitics.news) - [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@schotthappens?ref=utahpolitics.news) - [Twitch](https://www.twitch.tv/utah%5Fpolitics?ref=utahpolitics.news) --- ****Editor's note:** The morning memo is usually for paying subscribers. Today's edition has been unlocked for non-subscribers. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber or making a one-time donation to support this work. [Make a one-time donation](https://utahpolitics.news/tip-jar/) ## Bill would redefine "fair" in Utah redistricting battle by locking in Republican advantage Late Sunday evening, Utah Republican lawmakers [unveiled a bill](https://le.utah.gov/interim/2025/pdf/00003633.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news) that purports to make drawing political maps more “fair” by establishing clear rules to get rid of partisan bias. However, the legislation from Sen. Brady Brammer threatens to cement GOP dominance in the state’s congressional districts while limiting any judicial oversight. The move comes just hours after the release of five new congressional maps that initially suggested the possibility of electorally competitive districts. You can read my [breakdown of those maps here](https://utahpolitics.news/analysis-proposed-utah-congressional-maps-could-crack-gop-stranglehold/). Brammer’s bill, which will be heard in [this morning’s Legislative Redistricting Committee meeting](https://le.utah.gov/committee/committee.jsp?year=2025&com=SPELRD&ref=utahpolitics.news), appears to be an attempt to make map drawing more fair by stopping lawmakers from drawing districts in a way that unfairly helps one political party win more seats than it should. In practice, the legislation could bake in a GOP advantage that would make it difficult to declare any Republican-favoring map a gerrymander. Here’s how it works. - Step 1: Calculate the average Republican and Democratic vote share across the three most recent statewide elections for U.S. President, Governor, Attorney General, State Treasurer and State Auditor. - Step 2: Compare these averages to a 50-50 split if the statewide vote for each party was perfectly even. - Step 3: The difference becomes the "partisan index" - effectively a built-in advantage for the majority party. - For example, averaging Utah's 2024 election results for President, Governor, and Attorney General gives the GOP an average vote share of 56.70% and the Democrats 31.31%. - Those averages result in a "partisan index" for the GOP of 6.7% and -18.69% for Democrats. - The Republican average is likely lower than it should be because Phil Lyman, who lost the GOP gubernatorial primary in 2024, ran as a write-in candidate, capturing 13.57% of the vote. - Brammer's legislation includes a provision that reallocates Lyman's votes back to the GOP, which raises the Republican average vote share for the three elections to 61.23%. - That index is then used to adjust the party's projected vote share up or down in each proposed district. For Republicans, you would subtract 11.23%, and for Democrats, you would add 18.69% - a nearly 30-point electoral gap. - Every district could have a built-in Republican advantage of 11.23% AND a Democratic disadvantage of nearly 19% and still be considered "fair." - Using the adjusted projected vote share, count the number of districts each party would win if the statewide vote was perfectly even. Utah currently has four seats in Congress, so Republicans and Democrats should each win two after including the potential 30-point electoral gap. Brammer's legislation purports to impose a mathematical test so that proposed maps don't create an unfair advantage for either party. Given Utah's lopsided partisan makeup, it would likely cement an overwhelming GOP advantage in whatever boundaries lawmakers approve. It's possible that, using Brammer's formula, the maps thrown out by the court last month would not be considered a gerrymander. The more immediate impact from Brammer's proposal may be an attempt to block the judge from throwing out whatever new map lawmakers approve during next month's special session or to prolong litigation and perhaps keep the current maps in place while that plays out. The legislation would go into effect immediately if it passes both the House and Senate with a 2/3 vote and the governor signs it, or if the legislature overrides a veto. If the bill is included on the special session agenda, scheduled for next month, and passes, the judge would be required to use this standard to determine if the map unfairly advantages any political party or candidate. The language in the bill also suggests that this "partisan bias" calculation takes priority over all the other rules for redistricting established by Prop. 4. The committee will debate and vote on Brammer's bill less than 24 hours after the language was made public. ![CTA Image](https://www.utahpoliticalwatch.news/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Analysis: Proposed Utah congressional maps could crack GOP stranglehold URL: https://utahpolitics.news/analysis-proposed-utah-congressional-maps-could-crack-gop-stranglehold/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T18:13:22.000Z Utah's political landscape could see a shakeup as legislators [unveiled five congressional map proposals](https://le.utah.gov/interim/2025/pdf/00003630.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news) on Sunday. Each has the potential to create competitive battleground districts in the Beehive State for the first time in years. The 10-member [Legislative Redistricting Committee](https://le.utah.gov/committee/committee.jsp?year=2025&com=SPELRD&ref=utahpolitics.news) holds its first meeting Monday morning following Third District Judge Dianna Gibson's ruling last month that threw out the existing maps. Under a compressed timeline ordered by the court, they must publish their proposal for redrawing the boundaries by Thursday. An analysis of precinct-level election data from Redistricter shows each map has the potential to create a seismic shift in the state's traditionally Republican electoral dynamics. Four out of five proposed maps (A, B, D, and E) could theoretically flip at least one district to the Democratic presidential candidate in both 2020 and 2024. Even though Republican Donald Trump would have carried the remaining three districts under those map proposals, the data suggests at least one of those seats might be competitive for a Democrat, as Trump's margin of victory would have been 11 points or less. Trump dominated all four districts in the 2024 election, winning each by more than 19 percent. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/09/XGR-Option-A-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/09/XGR-Option-B-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/09/XGR-Option-C-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/09/XGR-Option-D-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/09/XGR-Option-E-1.png) Under map option C, Trump would have theoretically carried all four congressional districts in 2020 and 2024\. However, two of those districts have the potential to become electoral battlegrounds, with his margin of victory under 7 points. It’s not just presidential election results that suggest each of the map proposals could lead to competitive districts. Had the maps been in place during the 2022 U.S. Senate race, independent candidate Evan McMullin would have carried at least one district on each map and would have prevailed in two districts under map proposals A, C, D, and E. Lee would have won three of four districts under map option B, but one of those would have been by less than one percent. Republican Spencer Cox would have carried all four districts on every map during the 2020 gubernatorial contest by at least 8 points. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Lawmakers start race to draw new maps URL: https://utahpolitics.news/lawmakers-start-race-to-draw-new-maps/ Last updated: 2025-09-19T13:36:08.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until the court-mandated deadline for lawmakers to publish new congressional maps (9/25/2025) - **6** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **46** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **123** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **410** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,145** --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/09/What-the-heck-is-happenng-01.png) I hope you had a chance to join our livestream last night where we talked all about redistricting. If you missed it you can [watch a replay here](https://www.youtube.com/live/guWcZbHZKIw?si=M2lkX-22arB0DW-F&ref=utahpolitics.news) or below. Join us again tonight at approximately 6:30, where we will take your questions and discuss just what the heck is happening in Utah politics. ## Speaking of redistricting... The Utah Legislature gets down to work drawing new congressional maps on Monday. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### A swing seat in Utah? URL: https://utahpolitics.news/a-swing-seat-in-utah/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T18:13:32.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until the court-mandated deadline for lawmakers to submit new congressional maps (9/25/2025) - **7** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **47** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **124** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **411** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,146** --- ## Map proposal could break Utah GOP's stranglehold on congressional delegation Sen. Daniel Thatcher, the Utah legislature's only member of the Forward Party, proposed a congressional map on Wednesday that shows how hard it will be for Republican lawmakers to maintain the GOP advantage...if they follow the rules. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Utah's Map-tastrophe URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/podcast-utahs-map-tastrophe/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T19:02:13.000Z In this episode of "Special Session": The Utah Supreme Court denied the Utah Legislature's request for an emergency stay to keep the state's 2021 congressional maps, deemed illegal, in place. If you needed any more proof why lawmakers want to keep control of drawing Utah's political maps, our analysis proves that all three of the maps produced by the independent commission in 2021 would have produced at least one strong Democratic district. Republicans thought they had found a way to keep the current maps in place, but it turns out they forgot to do the reading. Listen and subscribe to the show [at this link](https://share.transistor.fm/s/600b680c?ref=utahpolitics.news). If you'd like to sponsor this podcast, email [schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news](mailto:schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news) ![CTA Image](https://www.utahpoliticalwatch.news/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Trump's approval rating falls again URL: https://utahpolitics.news/trumps-approval-rating-falls-again/ Last updated: 2025-09-17T13:42:44.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until the court-mandated deadline for lawmakers to submit new congressional maps (9/25/2025) - **8** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **48** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **125** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **412** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,147** --- ## President Donald Trump's approval rating hits a new low President Donald Trump's iron grip on American politics appears to be rusting. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Bannon unleashes attack on Utah governor, LDS Church over Kirk murder URL: https://utahpolitics.news/bannon-unleashes-attack-on-utah-governor-lds-church-over-kirk-murder/ Last updated: 2025-09-16T14:05:14.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until the court-mandated deadline for lawmakers to submit new congressional maps (9/25/2025) - **9** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **49** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **126** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **413** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,148** --- ## Bannon blasts Cox, LDS Church following Charlie Kirk's murder Following conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk's killing last week, Steve Bannon launched a blistering attack on Utah Governor Spencer Cox Monday, demanding an FBI investigation and declaring the governor "part of the problem" behind the tragic incident. He also laid blame at the feet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for fostering an environment that led to Kirk's death. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### 'I shot him, now shoot me.' Police say man falsely confessed to Charlie Kirk's murder because he wanted to help gunman escape URL: https://utahpolitics.news/i-shot-him-now-shoot-me-police-say-man-falsely-confessed-to-charlie-kirks-murder-because-he-wanted-to-help-gunman-escape/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T16:36:14.000Z The man who was initially detained following the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University last week, falsely told police that he was responsible for the murder, allegedly to help the real killer escape. Police charged George Zinn, 71, with second-degree felony obstruction of justice. He is being held without bail. According to a probable cause statement, moments after the shooting, Zinn approached a police officer and started yelling, "I shot him, now shoot me." The officer found no weapon on Zinn when he took him into custody. When questioned about the gun's location, Zinn refused to answer. He continued to claim he was responsible for the shooting as he was escorted to a patrol car. When he arrived at the police station, Zinn informed officers that he wanted an attorney, ending any further attempt to question him. He eventually told police that he was not the shooter but confessed to draw attention away from the gunman. At one point, Zinn was taken to the hospital for an unspecified medical condition. While he was being examined, he told officers he was glad he confessed because it would help the real perpetrator escape. He also told officers that he wanted to be a martyr for Kirk. After he was released from the hospital, Zinn was booked into the Utah County jail. On Monday, a judge ordered him held without bail. On Friday, law enforcement announced [they had arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/charlie-kirk-shooter-manhunt-live-updates-rcna230762?ref=utahpolitics.news) in connection with Kirk’s murder. Zinn is well known in Utah political circles and has a long history of run-ins with law enforcement. [The Daily Mail reports](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15086691/Charlie-Kirk-dead-George-Zinn-arrested-shooting-UVU-Utah.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) that Zinn has been criminally charged at least 25 times. In 2013, he was charged with threatening to plant explosives at the finish line of the Salt Lake City marathon. That resulted in probation and an order to undergo mental health treatment. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Citation needed URL: https://utahpolitics.news/citation-needed/ Last updated: 2025-09-15T14:00:05.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until the court-mandated deadline for lawmakers to submit new congressional maps (9/25/2025) - **10** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **50** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **127** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **414** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,149** --- ## Cox struggles to back "leftist" claims in Kirk assassination Utah Governor Spencer Cox's claims about Charlie Kirk's alleged killer have raised more questions than answers. While Cox insists it's "very clear" the shooter was [deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/14/us/kirk-shooting-suspect-ideology-partner.html?ref=utahpolitics.news), the evidence supporting this explosive assertion appears extremely thin. But when pressed to provide some evidence to back up that claim, Cox has offered few details. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Utah Senate leader's defense of granddaughter in sexual assault case: She wanted victim to feel included URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-senate-leaders-defense-of-granddaughter-in-sexual-assault-case-she-wanted-victim-to-feel-included/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T20:00:24.000Z In a letter submitted to court last year, Utah Senate President Stuart Adams defended his step-granddaughter by recasting her sexual assault of a 13-year-old as misguided compassion, claiming the relationship between the two began as an attempt to make sure the victim “felt included.” In 2023, Adams’s step-granddaughter, who was 18 at the time, [was charged with two counts of rape of a child](https://utahpolitics.news/after-sen-stuart-adams-backed-a-change-to-the-law-his-step-grandchild-got-a-plea-deal-in-child-rape-case/) and two counts of sodomy on a child after she had sex with a 13-year-old minor. Anyone under the age of 14 cannot legally consent to sex in Utah. Adams has faced harsh criticism after he helped to engineer a legislative change in 2024 that would allow prosecutors to treat certain 18-year-old child rape defendants as minors in specific circumstances. They must still be enrolled in high school, and the sexual activity cannot be coerced. That modification matched the circumstances his grandchild was facing. Though the change was not retroactive, the prosecutor, judge and defense attorney said the new law was a major factor in a plea deal offered to the defendant. She eventually plead guilty to second-degree felony aggravated assault and three misdemeanor counts of sexual battery. Under the terms of the deal, she spent no additional time in jail and was not required to register as a sex offender. [Adams has rebuffed calls for him to resign](https://www.ksl.com/article/51359900/stuart-adams-wont-resign-over-claims-he-influenced-new-law-to-help-granddaughter?ref=utahpolitics.news) for not disclosing the situation involving his granddaughter while the proposed change to the law moved through the legislature. He has defended himself from claims he used his elected position to influence the case, pointing out the change to the law was punishable by a third-degree felony, while the plea deal offered his step-granddaughter carried a higher penalty. As the plea deal was being considered by the court, Adams and his wife, Susan, submitted a letter of support that appeared to reframe the sexual assault as an act of misguided compassion. Court documents say that the defendant met the 13-year-old victim through mutual friends. Over the next several months, the two “hung out, would flirt and make out.” Yet the Senate President and his wife attempted to cast this increasingly inappropriate behavior in a different light. “She is so very concerned about helping those who struggle," they wrote, citing her interactions with a family member who has Down Syndrome. “Because she is so concerned about others, we can understand perhaps that she would reach out to a younger sibling of some of her friends to make sure he felt included,” they wrote. “It is extremely unfortunate that that encounter resulted in an intimate relationship.” They added they were “devastated” for everyone involved. Adams has been accused of improperly using his position as Senate leader to influence the outcome of the case against his granddaughter. The letter filed with the court does not make any mention of his position as a public official. The remainder of the letter goes into great detail about the impact the case had on their step-granddaughter—the embarrassment of being arrested at school, being unable to walk with her classmates at graduation, and missing numerous family events because she was confined to house arrest. “We are sure it has been devastating to her not being able to spend time with her cousins and friends,” they wrote. One of the final paragraphs says they have known their step-granddaughter for ten years, and during that time “she has been around children from ages two to twenty.” “She appears to be normal in every way. We have not heard of or observed any abnormal behavior,” the letter says. Adams did not respond to questions or a request for comment from Utah Political Watch. The letter of support from Adams, along with two other letters from her father and stepmother, were initially classified as private and not available to the public. After Utah Political Watch filed a request for access to the documents, it was determined they initially were misclassified and made public. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Suspect in custody in Charlie Kirk killing URL: https://utahpolitics.news/suspect-in-custody-in-charlie-kirk-killing/ Last updated: 2025-09-12T14:06:25.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until the court-mandated deadline for lawmakers to submit new congressional maps (9/25/2025) - **13** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **53** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **130** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **417** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,152** --- ## Charlie Kirk suspect in custody As I was preparing to send this newsletter, news broke that a suspect was in custody in the murder of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. There is reporting this morning that the alleged suspect may have confessed to his father. > The suspect in the murder of Charlie Kirk confessed to his father that he was the shooter. His father told authorities and secured his son until they could arrive to pick him up— Sources tell [@evanperez](https://twitter.com/evanperez?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) [@HBRabinowitz](https://twitter.com/HBRabinowitz?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) [@HolmesLybrand](https://twitter.com/HolmesLybrand?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) > > — Kristen Holmes (@KristenhCNN) [September 12, 2025](https://twitter.com/KristenhCNN/status/1966482744734527974?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) Yesterday [I spoke with Kristofer Goldsmith](https://utahpolitics.news/video-charlie-kirk-assassination-threatens-to-ignite-political-powder-keg/), an expert on extremism and disinformation, about what the killing of Charlie Kirk means for our already fractured political environment. He said it's important to focus on fostering in-person community relationships. > "I think that folks should focus on the local. The local doesn't come from the White House or Congress. Fascism grows in your backyard. It is a grassroots movement, so if you want to control it, you need to control it where you have control." If you haven't yet, I'd recommend you take a listen. ## Friday morning's headlines: _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Charlie Kirk assassination threatens to ignite political powder keg URL: https://utahpolitics.news/video-charlie-kirk-assassination-threatens-to-ignite-political-powder-keg/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T19:59:33.000Z The assassination of conservative firebrand Charlie Kirk has rattled America’s already fractured political landscape, with experts warning of potentially devastating consequences for democratic institutions. Kristofer Goldsmith, an expert on disinformation and extremism and the founder of Veterans Fighting Fascism, says he fears that the event could fuel further authoritarian power grabs by the Trump administration, and that the political environment in America will get much worse before it improves. "I don't think that we should be surprised if political assassination is used by the Trump administration and his allies to start grabbing new powers, engaging in more harassment, violence and intimidation, and weaponization of the government against Trump's political enemies," Goldsmith said. Goldsmith has been studying Kirk's Turning Point USA movement for years. He says Kirk was able to build an army of followers who believed lies about the 2020 election being stolen and other narratives of being an oppressed minority. "Right now, they are frothing at the mouth," Goldsmith said. "They believe themselves to be revolutionary fighters continuing on the revolution of 1776\. Violence is at the core of their ideology. There are millions of young Americans who have been radicalized by Charlie Kirk, who is now their martyr." Goldsmith also elaborates on the rise of extremist movements, the dangers of political violence, and the importance of understanding historical authoritarianism and fostering in-person community relationships. ## Links [Veterans Fighting Fascism](https://www.veteransfightingfascism.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news) ["On Offense" Substack](https://onoffense.substack.com/) ["Find Out" podcast](https://findoutpodcast.substack.com/) [Kristopher Goldsmith on TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@krisgoldsmith85?ref=utahpolitics.news) ### In aftermath of Kirk shooting, facts become 'policy preferences' URL: https://utahpolitics.news/in-aftermath-of-kirk-shooting-facts-become-policy-preferences/ Last updated: 2025-09-11T13:57:37.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until the court-mandated deadline for lawmakers to submit new congressional maps (9/25/2025) - **14** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **54** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **131** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **418** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,153** --- ### Today is the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack on New York and Washington, D.C. Here's [New York Times coverage](https://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/11/national/thousands-feared-dead-as-world-trade-center-is-toppled.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) from that day. ## How a simple fact about Utah's gun laws became fodder for the media outrage machine. When Charlie Kirk was shot at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, right-wing media didn't just report the tragedy—they weaponized it. My factual comment about Utah's campus gun laws on MSNBC became their latest ammunition in the culture war. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### 'I want to be clear. This is a political assassination' URL: https://utahpolitics.news/i-want-to-be-clear-this-is-a-political-assassination/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T16:36:54.000Z Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot during a campus speaking event in Utah, marking the latest in a string of politically motivated attacks that have become more commonplace over the last year. The attack, captured in social media videos, sent hundreds of students scrambling for cover as Kirk collapsed on stage, struck in the neck by a bullet fired from within the crowd. According to videos posted on social media, Kirk was speaking to a large crowd in an outdoor venue when a single shot rang out from behind the large crowd that had gathered for the event. Kirk appeared to have been hit in the neck. “This is a dark day for our state. It’s a tragic day for our nation. I want to be very clear that this is a political assassination,” Gov. Spencer Cox said during a press conference about the shooting on Wednesday afternoon. “Our nation is broken,” Cox added. The attack follows a bloody pattern: a Minnesota lawmaker gunned down in June, failed assassination attempts on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and former President Trump, and now Kirk. “Nothing I can say will unite us as a country. Nothing I can say right now can fix what is broken,” Cox lamented. “We need every single person in this country to think about where we are and where we want to be. To ask ourselves, is this it?” Unfortunately, according to conservative political commentator Mike Madrid, it’s clear that America is heading into an era that will be marked by increasing levels of politically motivated violence. “All the evidence was pointing to this type of event happening sooner rather than later,” Madrid said. Madrid says there are numerous examples of the increased use of violent imagery in political rhetoric by people on both the right and left sides of the political spectrum, which makes him believe that things are going to get far worse before they get better. “Our society is living among each other, hating each other to the point of violence. What that means for us is a long, protracted era of political violence that only ends when both sides are exhausted by the violence. That is by far the most likely scenario that I see.” Former Republican political consultant and Park City resident Reed Galen was more succinct. “When violence is introduced as a political expression, it’s very hard to remove and it eventually hurts everyone regardless of their belief system,” Galen said. “Once the flywheel of violence starts spinning, it doesn’t discriminate based on ideology.” There were conflicting reports on Wednesday afternoon about the suspect. FBI Director Kash Patel posted on social media that a suspect in the shooting was in custody. Utah law enforcement officials said that they were questioning “a person of interest” in the shooting, but would not call them a suspect. The shooting comes just months after Utah lawmakers changed the law to allow anyone over the age of 18 to openly carry a weapon on college campuses if they have a concealed carry permit. Previously, firearms were allowed on campus only if the person had a permit and the weapon was concealed. The shooting was the second high-profile public shooting related to a political event in Utah this year. In June, an armed security volunteer shot and killed a bystander during the massive “No Kings” march in downtown Salt Lake City. That volunteer was allegedly shooting at a person carrying a rifle during the protest. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Voters say no to mid-cycle redistricting URL: https://utahpolitics.news/voters-say-no-to-mid-cycle-redistricting/ Last updated: 2025-09-10T13:48:14.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until the court-mandated deadline for lawmakers to submit new congressional maps (9/25/2025) - **15** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **55** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **132** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **419** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,154** --- ## Most Americans reject mid-decade redistricting push A wave of political map-redrawing is sweeping across America, but voters don’t agree with the unusual mid-decade redistricting, according to a new survey. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Grasping at straws: 'Gotcha' moment in Utah gerrymandering fight fizzles URL: https://utahpolitics.news/grasping-at-straws-gotcha-moment-in-utah-gerrymandering-fight-fizzles/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T16:41:19.000Z A single footnote in the Utah gerrymandering case has some Republican lawmakers grasping at what they believe is a legal lifeline that they hope could prevent them from having to draw new congressional maps ahead of the 2026 election. The footnote, which Republicans seized upon as evidence of either judicial incompetence or overreach, actually came from an unexpected source: their courtroom adversaries. The dispute stems from [Judge Dianna Gibson's August 25 ruling](https://utahpolitics.news/judge-tosses-utahs-congressional-maps-orders-new-maps-in-30-days/), in which Gibson found that the legislature had violated the Utah Constitution by dismantling Proposition 4, which created a voter-approved independent redistricting commission and banned partisan gerrymandering. Her decision tossed out the current legislature-approved congressional maps and set a 30-day deadline for new proposals. In a footnote to a scheduling order issued Saturday, Gibson adjusted some of the language in her original ruling around the legislature’s map-drawing obligations. “The Court amends its Ruling and Order to remove the ‘order’ requiring the Legislature ‘to design and enact a new congressional plan in the next 30 days.’ That ‘order’ failed to recognize the separation of powers between our courts and our legislature and unintentionally failed to respect the Legislature’s authority to determine how to address the Court’s order,” Gibson wrote. “This Court overstepped its authority by ordering the Legislature to enact a new congressional plan.” Republican lawmakers pounced, pointing to the footnote as smoking-gun evidence of what they said were fundamental flaws in Gibson’s entire ruling, characterizing the revision as an attempt to clean up a critical legal blunder. Sen. Dan McCay said the footnote was just one example of numerous “obvious mistakes” throughout Gibson’s ruling. > Judge Gibson is starting to appreciate some of the obvious mistakes in her ruling. > > Check out this footnote from the "revised" order on Saturday. [pic.twitter.com/DplrR5bFXi](https://t.co/DplrR5bFXi?ref=utahpolitics.news) > > — Daniel McCay (@danmccay) [September 8, 2025](https://twitter.com/danmccay/status/1965203345314087021?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) Sen. Mike Lee amplified the criticism, arguing that the revision “draws more attention to the fact the judge is replacing the will of elected lawmakers with her own policy preferences.” > This was one of the most glaring errors in the original order > > The fact that Judge Gibson is just now acknowledging that error is troubling > > Better late than never, but it doesn’t inspire confidence—especially given that it draws more attention to the fact that the judge is… > > — Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) [September 9, 2025](https://twitter.com/BasedMikeLee/status/1965231136998641966?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) Some speculated this supposed admission by Gibson could be enough to convince the Utah Supreme Court to preserve the current maps. Those celebrations proved premature. The revision they were trumpeting as judicial incompetence had actually been requested by the plaintiffs in the case. On the last page of an August 29 response, the plaintiffs asked Gibson to amend her original order to align with the original language of the ballot initiative. “Plaintiffs suggest an additional clarification to the Court’s Order. Proposition 4 provides that ‘\[u\]pon the issuance of a permanent injunction...the Legislature may enact a new or alternative redistricting plan that abides by and conforms to the redistricting standards, procedures, and requirements of this chapter,’” the filing reads. The change would make clear that lawmakers could draw new maps that comply with Prop. 4, but they weren’t being ordered to do so. Instead, they were facing a choice: either submit compliant maps by the deadline or risk having the court impose a solution. “Plaintiffs therefore suggest that the Court clarify that its directive to the Legislature to enact a legally-compliant remedial map is subject to the Legislature’s election to do so. By providing a deadline, the Court is allowing a period of time for the Legislature to make that determination, after which the Court will act to impose a map in the absence of a legislatively enacted map and/or a legally compliant such map.” Walter Olson, Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute Center for Constitutional Studies, says he’s not surprised that the judge would agree to that change given the nature of this particular case. “You want a judge to tread very carefully around the separation of powers. This is a very delicate issue,” Olson said. “The judge is trying to square corners and making sure that every step is taken properly along the way. I think the judge, realizing what was at stake, tried to go back and do it correctly.” Olson says a judge doesn’t have the power to force a co-equal branch of government to do something, but they do have the obligation to enforce the law. “It’s kind of like parents trying to discipline an unruly teenager. They can’t actually force the teenager to do anything. But they let them know if they don’t comply, there will be consequences.” Olson says a footnote in a revised order that addresses and corrects a potential issue doesn’t seem like something that would be enough to derail an entire case, but anything is possible when considering fundamental constitutional issues like separation of powers. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Cox claims fair maps are actually unfair...to Republicans URL: https://utahpolitics.news/cox-claims-fair-maps-are-actually-unfair-to-republicans/ Last updated: 2025-09-09T13:42:10.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until the court-mandated deadline for lawmakers to submit new congressional maps (9/25/2025) - **16** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **56** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **133** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **420** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,155** --- ## Cox claims Democrats want gerrymandering...by supporting fair maps. As the legislature prepares to redraw Utah's congressional map, Gov. Spencer Cox is trying to grease the skids for legislative Republicans [by claiming](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/09/05/utah-gov-spencer-cox-on-redistricting/?ref=utahpolitics.news), "Democrats in our state desperately want a district, even though Republicans outnumber them three to one in the state. The only way to get a Democratic district in the state is to gerrymander." That's an incredibly dishonest argument and ignores the blatant gerrymandering scheme lawmakers used in 2021, which is one of the reasons they have to draw new maps. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### By the numbers: The Democratic congressional seat Utah never got URL: https://utahpolitics.news/by-the-numbers-the-democratic-congressional-seat-utah-never-got/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T18:13:43.000Z ****Key points** • Every map proposed by the independent commission in 2021 would have created at least one Democratic-leaning congressional district. • Democrat Kamala Harris would have carried at least one of Utah's four congressional districts in 2024 under all three maps put forward by the commission. • Independent U.S. Senate candidate Evan McMullin would have won at least one district in all three map scenarios during his 2022 Senate run. • Republicans maintained advantages in three of four districts under the commission's proposals. Utah Republicans may have cost Democrats a congressional seat through an unconstitutional power grab, according to a court ruling that has thrown the state's political map into chaos. In 2018, by a narrow margin, voters approved Proposition 4, a reform measure designed to crack down on gerrymandering by establishing an independent redistricting commission. The ballot measure set clear guardrails: commissioners couldn't use partisan data, needed to preserve community boundaries, and were explicitly prohibited from favoring incumbents or political parties. The legislature could reject maps drawn by the commission but had to follow those same rules if they came up with their own. But the GOP-controlled legislature had other plans. In 2020, they passed SB200, effectively gutting Prop. 4\. While the independent commission remained, it was reduced to an advisory role. Lawmakers also freed themselves from the strict anti-gerrymandering rules established by the ballot measure. During the 2021 redistricting process, the independent commission [produced three separate congressional maps](https://le.utah.gov/interim/2021/pdf/00004348.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news) that followed Prop. 4’s requirements. Two proposals—dubbed “Orange” and “Purple”—created compact districts centered around population hubs in Salt Lake and Utah counties. A third proposal, “SH2,” submitted by a member of the public, created more of a pinwheel shape that’s similar to the map approved by lawmakers. The Republican majority in the legislature ignored those three options, pushing through their own map that divided Salt Lake County into four pieces. The map [surgically split up Democratic voters](https://utahpolitics.news/the-math-behind-utahs-gerrymander-how-utah-republicans-split-democratic-voters-with-surgical-precision/) into four pieces, locking in Republican dominance. Last month, Judge Dianna Gibson [ruled that the legislature violated the Utah Constitution](https://utahpolitics.news/judge-tosses-utahs-congressional-maps-orders-new-maps-in-30-days/) when they repealed Prop. 4, invalidating the maps approved by lawmakers. Lawmakers have until Sept. 25 to submit new maps that follow Prop. 4's rules. The legislature has appealed Gibson's ruling to the Utah Supreme Court. An analysis of the commission’s proposed maps, using precinct-level data from [Redistricter](https://redistricter.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news), puts a spotlight on what might have been: every single commission proposal created at least one district where Democrats had a clear electoral advantage. ### **The Numbers Behind the Maps** ### **The Orange Plan** - Created strongest Democratic district (Harris +22) - Would have given Democrats their best shot at representation - Republicans maintained a solid advantage in the other three districts (Trump +24 to +45) ### **The Purple Plan** - One strong Democratic district (Harris +20) - Preserved Republican advantage in remaining districts - Created most geographically coherent boundaries ### **The SH2 Plan** - Democratic-leaning district (Harris +17) - Most similar to legislature's eventual plan in shape - Still maintained one competitive district ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/09/2025.09.08-curent-Map-2024-pres.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/09/2025.09.08-Orange-Map.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/09/2025.09.08-Purple-Map.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/09/2025.09.08-SH2-Map.png) That Democratic advantage would still hold across all three map proposals when considering other statewide elections. Under the commission maps, independent candidate Evan McMullin would have carried at least one district decisively during the 2022 U.S. Senate race against Republican Mike Lee. - Orange map: McMullin +32 - Purple map: McMullin +29 - SH2 map: McMullin +26 Analysis of other election cycles reinforces the impact these maps could have had on Utah’s political landscape. ### 2020 Presidential & Gubernatorial Races Each commission map showed consistent Democratic strength in one district: **Presidential Results (Biden vs. Trump)** - Orange Map: One district Biden +24 - Purple Map: One district Biden +21 - SH2 Map: One district Biden +29 **Gubernatorial Results (Peterson vs. Cox)** - Orange Map: Peterson wins one district by 7 points. - Purple Map: Peterson carries one district by 4 points. - SH2 Map: Peterson carries one district by 5 points. Precinct-level data was not available for the 2024 gubernatorial contest. Other expert analyses of the commission’s maps when they were proposed also gave Democrats an advantage at the ballot box. [The Princeton Gerrymandering Project’s examination](https://gerrymander.princeton.edu/redistricting-report-card/?planId=recdzpZxAx3PlInOO&ref=utahpolitics.news) of all three independent commission map proposals concluded that it was more likely than not they would elect at least one Democrat to Congress. - [The Orange map](https://gerrymander.princeton.edu/redistricting-report-card/?planId=reclYq5Kra4VKwHmR&ref=utahpolitics.news) would produce one district with a 13-point Democratic advantage. The remaining three seats were solidly Republican, with a GOP advantage anywhere between 40 and 50 points. - The smallest Democratic advantage, approximately 10-points, came [under the Purple map](https://gerrymander.princeton.edu/redistricting-report-card/?planId=rech7jSD984BdKEU9&ref=utahpolitics.news). - The SH2 map also gives Democrats a partisan advantage of just over 10 points. Similarly, PlanScore concluded the commission’s maps were extremely likely to elect one Democrat if there were not an incumbent running for re-election. Democrats would have a 95% chance to win an open seat [under the SH2 map](https://planscore.org/plan.html?20220430T065812.683583761Z&ref=utahpolitics.news), a 97% chance u[nder the Orange map](https://planscore.org/plan.html?20211005T061939.024029755Z&ref=utahpolitics.news), and a greater than 99% chance [according to the Purple map](https://planscore.org/plan.html?20211005T061839.929718081Z&ref=utahpolitics.news). ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Cracking the code on Utah's gerrymandered maps URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/podcast-cracking-the-code-on-utahs-gerrymandered-maps/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T19:03:03.000Z This week, we go over the latest in the court case over Utah's gerrymandered congressional maps and how the GOP-controlled legislature will try to open up a new path of attack so the new map is still likely to elect Republicans or even keep the old map in place for the 2026 election. It's no secret that Utah's congressional map is gerrymandered, but we finally have an idea what methodology they used to create it. It appears that Republicans targeted Utahns who voted for Democrat Joe Biden in 2020\. We'll explain [how they did it, and why splitting Biden voters was the key](https://utahpolitics.news/the-math-behind-utahs-gerrymander-how-utah-republicans-split-democratic-voters-with-surgical-precision/). Plus, a conversation with Chris Diaz from the [Voting Rights Lab](https://votingrightslab.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news) about President Donald Trump's attack on mail-in voting and the current panic about the (nonexistent) threat of non-citizens on voter rolls. Listen and subscribe to the show [at this link](https://share.transistor.fm/s/8830f546?ref=utahpolitics.news). If you'd like to sponsor this podcast, email [schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news](mailto:schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news) Don't forget to leave a rating and review to help others discover the show. ![CTA Image](https://www.utahpoliticalwatch.news/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Utah's pyrrhic Democratic shift URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utahs-pyrrhic-democratic-shift/ Last updated: 2025-09-05T13:50:24.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until the court-mandated deadline for lawmakers to submit new congressional maps (9/25/2025) - **20** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **60** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **137** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **424** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,159** --- ## Gargantuan GOP advantage in Utah shrinks to merely massive In Utah’s 3rd Congressional District, Democrats achieved something in 2024 that is both remarkable—and remarkably futile. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Mike Lee's opinion outsourcing strategy URL: https://utahpolitics.news/mike-lees-opinion-outsourcing-strategy/ Last updated: 2025-09-04T13:43:53.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until the court-mandated deadline for lawmakers to submit new congressional maps (9/24/2025) - **20** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **61** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **138** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **425** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,160** --- ## Who's really behind Sen. Lee's media opinions? Whenever Sen. Mike Lee goes on television, you can be confident that whatever he says will be informed by consistent and unwavering conservative principles...or whoever he most recently spoke to on the phone. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Last act: Utah economic chief approved $3.2M grant for future employer's parent organization URL: https://utahpolitics.news/last-act-utah-economic-chief-approved-3-2m-grant-for-future-employers-parent-organization/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T17:20:26.000Z ****Key points:** • Ryan Starks approved a $3.2M taxpayer grant to the Salt Lake Chamber Foundation just three days before announcing his departure from the Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOEO). • Starks' new employer, EDCUtah, operated under the umbrella of the Salt Lake Chamber. • The grant was canceled by new GOEO leadership due to conflict of interest concerns. • Starks waived statutory requirements for the grant using his executive authority. • The episode has prompted GOEO to promise reforms in grant oversight procedures. Three days before announcing his departure from Utah's top economic development post, Ryan Starks approved a $3.2 million taxpayer-funded grant to an organization he would soon be closely affiliated with. The eleventh-hour decision by the former executive director of the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO) has raised eyebrows and prompted officials to cancel the grant entirely. The grant would have helped to fund a [statewide economic development initiative](https://www.utahrising.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) dubbed "Utah Rising" spearheaded by the Salt Lake Chamber’s nonprofit arm. Starks departed his job at GOEO to become the executive director of [EDCUtah](https://www.edcutah.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news), a private nonprofit organization that serves as the state's primary economic development facilitator. EDCUtah works with state and local governments and industry to attract companies to the state. The grant's cancellation came swiftly after new GOEO Executive Director Jefferson Moss took office. "Due to concerns around the timing of the grant, he made the decision to cancel the contract," GOEO communications manager Lindsey LeBaron told Utah Political Watch in an email. “GOEO acknowledges that this grant was going to the Salt Lake Chamber Foundation and not directly to EDCUtah, but there were still concerns around a potential conflict. When Moss shared that concern with the Salt Lake Chamber, they agreed and supported canceling the contract.” 💡 ****Key dates in the "Utah Rising" grant controversy** ****April 29**: Ryan Starks and the Industrial Assistance Account Committee approve a $3.2M grant for Utah Rising initiative. ****May 2**: Starks publicly announces his departure from GOEO. ****May 6**: Utah Rising grant contract is signed by GOEO and Salt Lake Chamber Foundation. ****May 7**: EDCUtah announces Starks as their new executive director. ****June 18**: Deseret News publishes profile of Starks, mentioning EDCUtah operates as part of Salt Lake Chamber. ****July 8**: GOEO and Salt Lake Chamber Foundation sign amendment terminating grant. Public records obtained by Utah Political Watch expose a questionable sequence of events: A 10-year, $3.2 million grant was approved just as Starks was preparing to leave his post at GOEO. The money would have helped fund “Utah Rising: A Free Enterprise Vision for Utah’s Economy”—an initiative spearheaded by the Salt Lake Chamber Foundation, a nonprofit arm of the Salt Lake Chamber. The grant was made from the [Utah Industrial Assistance Account](https://business.utah.gov/recruitment/?ref=utahpolitics.news), which is designed to “foster and develop industry in Utah by funding one-time economic opportunities or talent development.” Typically, the IAA provides financial assistance—either a loan or a grant—in return for a company creating high-paying jobs in Utah. Applicants must demonstrate that the economic opportunity will benefit the state. Under Utah code, the GOEO executive director is given wide latitude on awarding grants or loans from the IAA. According to a copy of the contract, Utah Rising is described as a collaborative effort with chambers of commerce across Utah to execute a “statewide business-led plan to ensure a prosperous and successful (sic) for all Utahns,” with a targeted completion date of before the 2034 Utah Winter Olympic Games. The plan focuses on several areas—workforce development, transportation, liveability, and fostering the business environment. Specific goals include boosting the number of young adults in Utah with a post-secondary degree or certificate, decreasing the number of young adults with poor mental health, addressing housing affordability, energy reliability and environmental quality. The approval process raises further questions. An attachment to the contract shows it was greenlit by an entity known as the Industrial Assistance Account Committee at an April 29, 2025 meeting. GOEO’s website contains no information about this committee and officials did not respond to requests for meeting records or documentation. According to the contract, Starks waived the statutory requirements for the grant, which is an authority state law gives to GOEO’s executive director under certain circumstances. The requirements can be set aside if the applicant is “part of a targeted industry” or if the organization is a “quasi-public corporation.” However, it’s not clear that the Salt Lake Chamber Foundation fits into either of those categories. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, it does not meet Utah’s definition of a quasi-public organization. The contract also notes that Starks determined the Utah Rising initiative “will provide a catalyst or stimulus to growth, ensuring a prosperous future for all Utahns.” Three days later, on May 2, Starks [publicly announced his departure from GOEO](https://business.utah.gov/news/utah-governors-office-of-economic-opportunity-announces-departure-of-executive-director-ryan-starks/?ref=utahpolitics.news). His hiring by EDCUtah was [revealed in a press release](https://www.edcutah.org/recent-news/edcutah-announces-ryan-starks-as-new-executive-director?ref=utahpolitics.news) four days later on May 7. On July 8, officials from GOEO and the Salt Lake Chamber Foundation signed an amendment to the original contract, terminating the grant. The grant was never funded. GOEO did not answer questions about whether Starks disclosed the possible conflict from his impending job change or recused himself from the process. However, it’s clear that the final decision was his to make. “The GOEO executive director serves as the administrator of the Industrial Assistance Account and has the final authority to approve or deny grants and loans,” Lebaron said. Starks’ decision to approve the grant is even more concerning in light of his role as a member of the Utah Rising steering committee. Neither Starks nor the Salt Lake Chamber responded to questions or requests for comment from Utah Political Watch. While GOEO is promising reform under new leadership, the episode raises troubling questions about how millions in taxpayer dollars could be allocated with such limited scrutiny—especially by an official on his way out the door. “(Executive director) Moss has already been working on making changes in the process to ensure an objective, transparent process with additional oversight on how these grants and other grants are awarded,” LeBaron said. Starks was [appointed as executive director of GOEO](https://business.utah.gov/news/ryan-starks-appointed-executive-director-of-go-utah/?ref=utahpolitics.news) by Gov. Spencer Cox in 2023\. [His brother is Steve Starks](https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevestarks/?ref=utahpolitics.news), CEO of the Larry H. Miller Company, who Cox named as [vice chair of the organizing committee](https://slc-ut2034.org/committee/?ref=utahpolitics.news) for the 2034 Utah Olympic and Paralympic Games. *Editor's note: A previous version of this article said that EDCUtah and the Salt Lake Chamber combined on July 9, 2025\. In fact, the merger happened one year earlier. We regret the error.* ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Utah's DMV silent on politically charged license plate URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utahs-dmv-silent-on-politically-charged-license-plate/ Last updated: 2025-09-03T13:43:38.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until the court-mandated deadline for lawmakers to submit new congressional maps (9/24/2025) - **21** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **62** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **139** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **426** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,161** --- ### Utah's latest hot plate? A subscriber on the Utah Political Watch Discord spotted this license plate in Logan, which seems to celebrate the deadly January 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/09/2025.09.03.-license-plate-02.png) Is this license plate legal? The answer hinges on the state’s regulations for personalized license plates. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### The math behind Utah's gerrymander: How Utah Republicans split Democratic voters with surgical precision URL: https://utahpolitics.news/the-math-behind-utahs-gerrymander-how-utah-republicans-split-democratic-voters-with-surgical-precision/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T17:52:29.000Z Republican lawmakers said Utah’s 2021 congressional map gave the state balanced representation in Washington, D.C. Critics said it was gerrymandering for Republican candidates. But the data shows something much more calculated: a ruthless strategy that split Democrat Joe Biden’s 2020 voters so equally across all four districts that the variations were less than 4 percentage points. When Utah Republicans unveiled their 2021 congressional map proposal, they had a simple message: every district should represent both urban and rural interests. “The congressional map we propose has all four delegates representing both urban and rural parts of the state,” Sen. Scott Sandall, co-chair of the Legislative Redistricting Committee, [said in a press release](https://redistricting.utah.gov/the-legislative-redistricting-committee-chairs-release-proposed-maps/?ref=utahpolitics.news) when the maps were unveiled. “Rural Utah is the reason there is food, water and energy in urban areas of the state. We are one Utah and believe both urban and rural interests should be represented in Washington, D.C. by the entire federal delegation.” While the map did achieve that urban-rural combination, it also engineered four congressional seats that would be safe for Republicans for the next decade. Last week, Third District Judge Dianna Gibson threw out Utah’s congressional maps, ruling that the legislature violated the Utah Constitution when they repealed Prop. 4, a citizen-approved ballot measure that established an independent redistricting commission. The ruling validated what critics had argued in their 2022 lawsuit, that Republican lawmakers had “cracked” Democratic areas apart to create safe seats for Republicans. The roots of the current situation trace back to 2010, when the state was given a fourth seat in Congress following the Census. During the 2011 redistricting effort, Republican lawmakers saw an opportunity to take aim at Rep. Jim Matheson, the state’s lone Democrat in Congress. They engineered Matheson’s 2nd Congressional District to be overwhelmingly Republican, somewhere between 60% and 65% depending on who you asked. While the map did make it as hard as possible on Matheson’s re-election chances, it also led to a costly mistake. In creating the new Fourth District, they accidentally drew what would turn out to be an unexpectedly competitive seat. That miscalculation created the state’s only competitive congressional battleground. Over the next five election cycles, Democrats won the seat twice with victory margins of under 1,000 votes each time. The district’s average margin of victory for the five elections between 2012 and 2020 was 8,800 votes. That’s why Matheson shocked the Utah political establishment by abandoning the Second District to seek the 4th District seat, which he won by defeating Republican Mia Love in 2012. When the 2021 redistricting cycle rolled around, legislative Republicans were determined to fix their 4th District headache. Here’s how they did it. The most obvious evidence of gerrymandering on the 2021 congressional map is the weird four-way split of heavily Democratic Salt Lake County. Under the 2011 map, Salt Lake County was only divided three ways across the Second, Third and Fourth districts. The 2021 map also splits up Utah’s registered Democrats almost equally statewide across the four districts. But targeting Democrats alone wouldn’t be enough. After all, registered Democrats make up just 13% of Utah voters. But Democratic candidates consistently outperform that number. In 2024, for example, Kamala Harris received 38% of Utah’s statewide vote - nearly triple the percentage of registered Democrats. So Republican mapmakers took aim at something more precise: actual voting patterns by targeting the broader coalition of independent and unaffiliated voters who tend to support Democrats. Analysis by Utah Political Watch, using [precinct-level data from Redistricter](https://redistricter.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news), revealed their strategy. Instead of focusing on registered Democrats, it appears that Republican mapmakers used the 2020 presidential election as their blueprint. They carved up Biden voters with mathematical precision across all four districts: - CD1 - 25.51% - CD2 - 25.59% - CD3 - 26.54% - CD4 - 22.36% ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/09/2025.09.02-2011-Biden-Vote-01.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/09/2025.09.02-2021-Biden-Vote-01.png) Before redistricting, CD4 accounted for nearly 30% of Biden’s statewide voters. The new map slashed that to just over 22% while simultaneously boosting Republican Donald Trump’s vote share from 23% to 25%, transforming CD4 from a potential battleground district into a reliable Republican stronghold. - 2020 margin (old map): Trump +11 points - 2021 map projection: Trump +26 points Outside of the 4th District, the shift in Biden and Trump voters was much smaller. - CD1 became more Democratic, as the number of 2020 Biden voters in that district increased by more than 5%, while Trump voters decreased by about 2%. Trump carried this district by 32 points in 2020\. Under the 2021 maps, that margin would have been about 20 points. - The percentage of Biden and Trump voters decreased slightly in the 2nd District. The overall impact was negligible, as Trump’s margin of victory was essentially the same on both the 2011 and 2021 maps. - The 2020 Biden vote increased by 3 percent in the 3rd District while the Trump vote remained mostly unchanged. Trump’s margin of victory would have dropped by about 5 percent had the 2021 maps been in place. In a statement to Utah Political Watch, Sen. Sandall defended the maps that he helped spearhead during the 2021 redistricting process. “The concept for the map actually originated from a college student who submitted a design resembling a pizza. We took that idea and developed it further, spending hours refining it into precise lines that ultimately balanced to zero,” Sandall said. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Most Republicans would back a third Trump term URL: https://utahpolitics.news/most-republicans-would-back-a-third-trump-term/ Last updated: 2025-09-02T13:41:43.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until the court-mandated deadline for lawmakers to submit new congressional maps (9/24/2025) - **22** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **63** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **140** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **427** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,162** --- ## Half of GOP backs Trump's illegal third-term bid Former President Donald Trump’s hints at seeking an unconstitutional third term are gaining support among Republican voters even as most Americans reject the idea. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### New lines, old name: McAdams eyes 2026 return if the map cooperates URL: https://utahpolitics.news/new-lines-old-name-mcadams-eyes-2026-return-if-the-map-cooperates/ Last updated: 2025-08-29T13:25:54.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until the court-mandated deadline for lawmakers to submit new congressional maps (9/24/2025) - **26** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **67** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **144** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **431** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,166** --- ## Will Ben McAdams run again? Utah’s [court-ordered redraw of its congressional map](https://utahpolitics.news/judge-tosses-utahs-congressional-maps-orders-new-maps-in-30-days/) could do something the state hasn’t seen in years: produce a genuinely competitive U.S. House seat—and a scramble to claim it. One name is already circulating in Democratic circles: former Congressman Ben McAdams. The reason is simple: name ID and cash. The name that seems to be bubbling up in Democratic circles is former Congressman Ben McAdams, which makes sense because of two critical factors in political campaigning: name ID and campaign cash. McAdams is arguably the best-known Democrat in Utah right now, and he would enter the race as a known commodity. He wouldn't have to spend time and money introducing himself to voters. And he can raise money—lots of it. In 2018, he pulled in nearly $3.4 million to unseat Republican Mia Love. Two years later, he raised more than $5.6 million in a narrow loss to Republican Burgess Owens. If the new map tucks enough Democratic-friendly turf into a single district, McAdams starts with advantages others can’t buy. Sources close to McAdams tell Utah Political Watch that he may take a serious look at running in 2026, depending on what happens with new maps. McAdams could not be reached for comment. McAdams would not be the first Utahn to lose a congressional seat and then return. According to Dr. Eric Ostermeier, who runs the indispensable [Smart Politics website](https://smartpolitics.lib.umn.edu/?ref=utahpolitics.news), there are several examples in Utah history. In 1946, [Republican William Dawson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William%5FA.%5FDawson?ref=utahpolitics.news), who served as Davis County Attorney, Layton Mayor, and in the Utah State Senate, unseated Democratic [Congressman J. William Robinson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J.%5FW.%5FRobinson?ref=utahpolitics.news). Two years later, Dawson lost to [Democrat Reva Bosone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reva%5FBeck%5FBosone?ref=utahpolitics.news), but defeated Bosone in a rematch in 1952. --- ## Friday morning's headlines ### Utah and the West Utah lawmakers signal they may use map do-over to force court delay, pushing new congressional maps past 2026\. \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-lawmakers-signal-they-may-use-map-do-over-to-force-court-delay-pushing-new-congressional-maps-past-2026/)\] Utah State University lays off researchers after Trump administration cuts federal grants. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/education/2025/08/29/utah-state-university-research/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] CVS is not offering Covid vaccines in 16 states, including Utah, even to those who meet new criteria from the Food and Drug Administration. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/well/cvs-pharmacy-covid-vaccine-16-states.html?unlocked%5Farticle%5Fcode=1.h08.ZbqO.J0zqW9EKEoml&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Salt Lake City to make changes to public events permits after fatal No Kings shooting. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51367259/salt-lake-city-to-make-changes-to-public-events-permits-after-fatal-no-kings-shooting?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Trump admin moves to strip protections on 4 million acres of national forests across Utah. [\[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2025/08/29/trump-admin-moves-forward-with/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] It's been one of southern Utah's driest years in memory. So why can't these cities agree on a drought plan? \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/08/29/despite-drought-southern-utah/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah launches attendance campaign to combat rising absenteeism, dropout rates. \[[KUTV](https://kutv.com/news/education/utah-launches-attendance-campaign-to-combat-rising-absenteeism-dropout-rates?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] --- ### Nation When Congress returns to Washington next week, a fight over avoiding a government shutdown awaits them. \[[Semafor](https://www.semafor.com/article/08/28/2025/shutdown-fight-descends-on-dc?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Donald Trump canceled former Vice President Kamala Harris's Secret Service protection detail. \[[NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-revokes-secret-service-protection-former-president-kamala-harris-rcna227959?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The National Guard deployment to Washington, D.C., is costing roughly $1 million per day. \[[CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/28/politics/cost-national-guard-deployment-washington-dc?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Trump administration plans to conduct a major immigration enforcement operation in Chicago as soon as next week. \[[CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/28/politics/immigration-enforcement-chicago-national-guard?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] --- ### World A brawl erupted in Mexico's senate during a debate over U.S. military troops fighting drug cartels. \[[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/28/mexico-senate-fight-us-military-intervention-cartels?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] --- ### Economy A loophole exempting packages worth less than $800 from tariffs ended Friday morning. \[[ABC News](https://abcnews.go.com/Business/tariffs-small-packages-effect-loophole-ends-midnight/story?id=125083722&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Companies are forecasting higher prices for consumers as a result of President Trump's tariffs. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/business/retail/trump-tariffs-higher-prices-forecast-5233d6c4?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Foreign tourists are avoiding America. \[[The Economist](https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2025/08/26/have-foreign-tourists-really-avoided-america-this-year?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] --- ### Health Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Susan Monarez after she refused to fire career officials and support recommendations to restrict access to proven vaccines. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/health/rfk-jr-susan-monarez-cdc-vaccines.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Chaos engulfs the CDC following Monarez's ouster. \[[PBS](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/cdc-officials-escorted-from-headquarters-as-chaos-engulfs-agency-over-directors-ouster?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Utah lawmakers signal they may use map do-over to force court delay, pushing new congressional maps past 2026 URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-lawmakers-signal-they-may-use-map-do-over-to-force-court-delay-pushing-new-congressional-maps-past-2026/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T20:08:25.000Z Republican leaders in the Utah Legislature say they’ll redraw the state’s congressional map after a judge tossed it this week. But, they may be poised to use that “redo” to launch a fresh court fight that could delay or even derail new lines for the 2026 midterms. On Monday, Third District Judge Dianna Gibson [ruled lawmakers violated the Utah Constitution](https://utahpolitics.news/judge-tosses-utahs-congressional-maps-orders-new-maps-in-30-days/) when they repealed Prop. 4, the voter-approved ballot initiative that created an independent redistricting commission and banned partisan gerrymandering - both undone by the Legislature in 2020\. Prop. 4 set tight rules: keep cities and counties intact where possible and don’t draw districts to benefit an incumbent, candidate or political party. Gibson gave lawmakers until Sept. 24 to submit new maps—or the court will take over. In a Thursday press release, Senate President Stuart Adams and House Speaker Mike Schultz said the Legislature will meet the deadline—even as they doubled down on their claim that redistricting is solely the domain of the legislature. “Despite a misguided court ruling and an arbitrary 30-day deadline, the Utah Legislature will defend its constitutional authority and move forward with redrawing the state’s congressional map,” the statement read. "The court’s order unconstitutionally ties the Legislature’s hands by mandating certain redistricting criteria when the U.S. and Utah constitutions leave it to the people’s representatives in the legislature to redistrict.” The statement concluded with a promise to pursue “every legal option available — including requesting a stay from the Utah Supreme Court,” which would pause Gibson’s order while appeals play out. Rather than simply relitigate Gibson’s ruling, the likely move is to challenge Prop. 4’s map-drawing rules themselves Submit a map that breaks those standards, and if Gibson rejects it, appeal and seek a stay on the grounds that the rules put unconstitutional restrictions on the legislature. Legislative Republicans are already floating that scenario, according to sources. Propose a map that trims the GOP edge in one of the four districts to make it more competitive — but stops short of creating a truly competitive seat. Such a proposal would almost certainly be rejected by Gibson, giving lawmakers an opportunity to seek a stay while the Utah Supreme Court considers whether Prop. 4’s guidelines are unconstitutional or put illegal constraints on their ability to draw maps. Republicans in Alabama used a similar tactic when that state’s congressional maps were challenged in court. According to the 2020 Census, the percentage of white voters in Alabama had fallen from 68% to 64%, while the state’s Black population grew by nearly 4 percent over the same period. In 2022, a federal court ruled Alabama’s map likely violated the Voting Rights Act and ordered a second majority‑Black district. Lawmakers responded in 2023 with a map that kept only one majority‑Black district and modestly increased Black voting strength in a second. Judges rejected it and installed a court‑drawn map instead. Utah’s timeline is tighter. Alabama’s appeals over court‑drawn lines stretched close to a year before the 2024 election. Utah lawmakers, by contrast, would only need to run out the clock for a few months to push any change past 2026 filing deadlines. The endgame for Utah’s Republicans is to either keep the current maps in place or, failing that, force the courts to choose between the Legislature’s non-compliant lines or risk blowing up the 2026 election cycle. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Tariff talk vs. tariff walk among Utah's members of Congress URL: https://utahpolitics.news/tariff-talk-vs-tariff-walk-among-utahs-members-of-congress/ Last updated: 2025-08-28T13:32:00.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until the court-mandated deadline for lawmakers to submit new congressional maps (9/24/2025) - **27** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **68** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **145** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **432** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,167** --- ## Utah lawmakers talk tough, fold on Trump tariffs In private, Utah's members of Congress have spines of steel when talking about pushing back against President Donald Trump’s policies that could negatively impact the Beehive State. In public, however, they act more like bendy straws. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Trump erupts over Utah redistricting ruling URL: https://utahpolitics.news/trump-erupts-over-utah-redistricting-ruling/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T17:20:09.000Z President Donald Trump lashed out at Utah Third District Judge Dianna Gibson on Wednesday after she ordered the Republican-controlled legislature [to redraw the state's congressional maps](https://utahpolitics.news/judge-tosses-utahs-congressional-maps-orders-new-maps-in-30-days/) ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. In a post on Truth Social, Trump raged about the ruling, calling it "unconstitutional." He also accused Gibson of political bias. "How did such a wonderful Republican State like Utah, which I won in every Election, end up with so many Radical Left Judges? All Citizens of Utah should be outraged at their activist Judiciary, which wants to take away our Congressional advantage, and will do everything possible to do so," Trump said. "This incredible State sent four great Republicans to Congress, and we want to keep it that way. The Utah GOP has to STAY UNITED, and make sure their four terrific Republican Congressmen stay right where they are!" Trump recently demanded that Texas redraw its congressional maps to favor Republicans in next year's midterm elections. On Monday, Gibson ruled that the legislature violated the Utah Constitution when it repealed Prop. 4, a citizen-led ballot initiative that took responsibility for drawing political maps away from lawmakers and gave it to a seven-member independent commission that had to follow strict rules on how maps could be drawn. It also banned partisan gerrymandering in Utah. Gibson ordered lawmakers to come up with new maps that conform to the rules established by Prop. 4\. If they miss the deadline for drawing new maps or submit maps that don't follow the Prop. 4 guidelines, then the court takes over the process. In that case, the plaintiffs or outside groups can submit map proposals. The court will then choose one that will be in place for the 2026 midterms. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### A Utah lawmaker claims to have proof non-citizens are voting. Why won't she share it with election officials? URL: https://utahpolitics.news/a-utah-lawmaker-claims-to-have-proof-non-citizens-are-voting-why-wont-she-share-it-with-election-officials/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T17:28:31.000Z Utah Rep. Karianne Lisonbee, R-Clearfield, claims to have “verified” evidence of non-citizens voting in state elections—evidence she conspicuously refuses to share with election officials. The Republican lawmaker is attempting to leverage these unsubstantiated claims to push for strict new voter registration requirements. At an immigration forum last week, Rep. Karianne Lisonbee, R-Clearfield, [said that she's "verified" reports](https://www.ksl.com/article/51362386/utah-lawmaker-mulling-legislation-requiring-proof-of-citizenship-to-register-to-vote?ref=utahpolitics.news) of noncitizens registering and voting in Utah elections. In response, she's hoping to put a bill on the agenda for the likely special session next month to remedy the situation. So far, Lisonbee has not shared any of that evidence with state elections officials. During last week’s Government Operations Interim Committee, Rep. Michael Petersen, R-North Logan, stated as fact that illegal immigrants have participated in Utah elections. In response, Davis County Clerk Brian McKenzie said he’s heard the same allegations, but hasn’t seen any evidence to back that up. “We’ve heard some statements that there are non-citizens registered to vote. We’ve asked for that information to where we can investigate it. As far as I know, that’s not been provided to us or the lieutenant governor’s office,” McKenzie said. “We’d like to know how, when and where we can make sure that if that is happening, we can get that taken care of.” Lisonbee did not respond to questions from Utah Political Watch about why she has not shared that evidence with election officials. Curiously, Lisonbee only started to peddle claims about noncitizens on Utah’s voter rolls after a bill she sponsored requiring voters to provide proof of citizenship failed to pass during the 2025 session. In April, Lisonbee posted on social media that she and others had "discovered that illegal immigrants are voting in Utah elections." She says the source of that allegation is an anonymous whistleblower who has provided information that at least one noncitizen has registered to vote in Utah and cast ballots in several elections. “This person actually did have a driver’s privilege card. This particular person should not have been allowed to register or vote, and they had been voting in Utah elections for four years,” Lisonbee said during an interview on an obscure far-right podcast that amplifies conspiratorial content. Text messages and emails obtained by Utah Political Watch previously showed election officials [asking Lisonbee to share the information](https://utahpolitics.news/lawmaker-claims-non-citizens-are-voting-in-utah-but-refuses-to-share-evidence/) provided to her by the whistleblower so they could investigate. She refused. Federal law already bans noncitizens from voting in federal elections. Noncitizens who try to register to vote or cast a ballot face serious criminal penalties, including prison or deportation. Republicans have ramped up fearmongering about the possibility of noncitizens registering and voting for nearly a decade, beginning with President Donald Trump’s unfounded claims that his popular vote loss in the 2016 election was due to illegal immigrants voting for Democrat Hillary Clinton. The fears about illegal immigrants casting ballots are an offshoot of the racist “great replacement” conspiracy theory, which claims that there is a plan to bring nonwhite immigrants into the U.S. and other countries as part of a plan to take over the government and political systems. In reality, there’s almost no evidence that noncitizens are voting in American elections, especially in numbers to potentially tip the outcome of an election. A [study conducted by the Brennan Center for Justice](https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/noncitizen-voting-missing-millions?ref=utahpolitics.news) following the 2016 election examined elections in 42 jurisdictions with high immigrant populations. Out of the 23.5 million votes in the study, there were just 30 suspected cases of noncitizens voting. Other audits have yielded similar results. - [A 2016 audit in North Carolina](https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/sboe/Post-Election%20Audit%20Report%5F2016%20General%20Election/Post-Election%5FAudit%5FReport.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news) found 41 cases of green card holders who had voted out of 4.8 million voters in that state. Many of those had been misinformed that they were eligible to vote. - [A 2023 study of voters in Arizona](https://archive.is/20240413153425/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/03/06/truth-about-noncitizen-voting-federal-elections/?ref=utahpolitics.news) found fewer than 1% of the noncitizens in the state have tried to register to vote, and most of those incidents were believed to be mistakes. - Last year [Georgia found](https://apnews.com/article/georgia-noncitizens-voter-rolls-14532ef49b66f9cbf34ff483d2534280?ref=utahpolitics.news) 20 suspected noncitizens on their voter rolls out of more than 8 million registered voters. Nine of those had apparently voted in previous elections. All 20 cases were referred to law enforcement. The push for proof-of-citizenship requirements in Utah mirrors a wider national strategy where unsubstantiated voter fraud claims are increasingly used to justify restrictive voting measures. Critics argue these requirements could effectively disenfranchise legitimate voters, particularly elderly and low-income citizens who may struggle to obtain necessary documentation. [According to the nonprofit Voting Rights Lab](https://votingrightslab.org/report/2025-legislative-sessions-to-date-key-election-policy-trends/?ref=utahpolitics.news), Wyoming and Indiana were the only states to enact proof of citizenship legislation this year. 25 others, including Utah, considered some sort of proof of citizenship legislation in 2025. ![CTA Image](https://www.utahpoliticalwatch.news/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### A political earthquake in Iowa URL: https://utahpolitics.news/a-political-earthquake-in-iowa/ Last updated: 2025-08-27T13:31:13.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until the court-mandated deadline for lawmakers to submit new congressional maps (9/24/2025) - **28** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **69** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **146** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **433** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,168** --- ## Democrats flip the script (and a Senate seat) in Iowa Democrats pulled off a massive upset in an Iowa special election for the state Senate on Tuesday night. The Democratic candidate pulled off a 22-point electoral swing, winning a seat by 11 points that Donald Trump carried in November by the same margin. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### All about gerrymandering URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/podcast-all-about-gerrymandering/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T19:04:23.000Z A Utah judge threw out Utah's congressional maps on Monday, ruling that the Republican-controlled legislature violated the state constitution when it repealed Prop. 4\. in 2020\. Now, lawmakers have less than a month to draw new maps, or the court will do it for them. We discuss the ruling, what it means, how we got here, and what's next. Plus, a conversation with Dave Daley, a senior fellow at FairVote and the author of *Ratf\*\*ked: Why Your Vote Doesn't Count*. Listen and subscribe to the show [at this link](https://share.transistor.fm/s/277527f5?ref=utahpolitics.news). If you'd like to sponsor this podcast, email [schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news](mailto:schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news) Don't forget to leave a rating and review to help others discover the show. ![CTA Image](https://www.utahpoliticalwatch.news/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Gerrymandering ruling backs Utah lawmakers into a corner URL: https://utahpolitics.news/gerrymandering-ruling-backs-utah-lawmakers-into-a-corner/ Last updated: 2025-08-26T13:34:47.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until the court-mandated deadline for lawmakers to submit new congressional maps (9/24/2025) - **29** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **70** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **147** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **434** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,169** --- ## A deadline with teeth in gerrymandering ruling Having covered Utah politics for more than a quarter century, I’m usually as confident as Macbeth that Birnam Wood won’t budge—until once in a while, the trees move and I have to rewrite the act. [Yesterday in this space](https://utahpolitics.news/redistricting-ruling-coming-today-but-we-may-not-see-new-maps-until-2028/) I argued that if the judge in the gerrymandering case ruled against them, all the Utah Legislature had to do was run out the clock to prevent new congressional maps from going into effect for the 2026 election. What I did not anticipate was the extremely clever maneuver by Judge Dianna Gibson that could keep the legislature from dodging new maps. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Judge tosses Utah’s congressional maps. Orders new maps in 30 days URL: https://utahpolitics.news/judge-tosses-utahs-congressional-maps-orders-new-maps-in-30-days/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T16:41:52.000Z Utah lawmakers have one month to draw new congressional maps after a state judge threw out the current ones Monday evening, reinstating a voter-approved ban on partisan gerrymandering. Third District Judge Dianna Gibson ruled that the Utah Legislature violated Utah's Constitution when they gutted Prop. 4, the citizen-approved ballot measure that established an independent redistricting commission. Her ruling reinstates Prop. 4 in its entirety, including its ban on partisan gerrymandering. As a result, the congressional maps approved by the GOP-controlled legislature in 2021 are no longer valid. She's ordered lawmakers to come up with new maps by September 24\. Those maps must comply with the standards established by Prop. 4, including a ban on using partisan voter data and a directive to avoid splitting cities and counties where possible. If lawmakers fail to come up with new maps by the deadline, or approve maps that do not follow the Prop. 4 guidelines, then the plaintiffs in the case or outside parties can submit map proposals to the court, which will then choose one that will be in place for the 2026 election. Emma Petty Adams, with Mormon Women for Ethical Government, one of the plaintiffs in the case, called Gibson's ruling a significant victory for the citizens of Utah. "This case has always been about the source of political power. We believe that it originates with the people. The people loan it to our elected officials, and those representatives must be accountable to the people,” Petty Adams said. She added, "When citizens come together and act in good faith to improve that government, we deserve to be heard, not silenced. The court today reaffirmed that citizens have both the right and the responsibility to reform unjust systems—and that this right cannot be discarded by elected officials for their own political convenience." ### Are Utah's maps gerrymandered? It's difficult to argue that they're not. Just by looking at the current map, you can see that Salt Lake County was intentionally divided into four pieces. Lawmakers argued at the time that they were ensuring that every district had both a rural and urban component. If you take a look under the hood of the map, though, you'll see how Utah lawmakers almost surgically sliced up Democratic voters equally among the four districts. According to current voter registration data provided by L2 Political, there are just over 224,000 registered Democratic voters in Utah. While the totals have likely shifted since 2021, those voters remain strikingly evenly distributed across the four districts. - CD1 - 55,357 registered Democratic voters. - CD2 - 61,586 registered Democratic voters. - CD3 - 54,651 registered Democratic voters. - CD4 - 52,485 registered Democrats. ### How we got here In 2018, Utah voters narrowly approved Prop. 4, which banned partisan gerrymandering and created an independent redistricting commission that had strict rules on how political maps could be drawn. The legislature could only reject maps if they could show that they violated the guidelines established by the initiative. Two years later, lawmakers passed SB200, effectively repealing Prop. 4\. The law reduced the independent commission to an advisory role and gave lawmakers the final say in the drawing of political boundaries. It also repealed the ban on partisan gerrymandering. In March 2022, the League of Women Voters of Utah and Mormon Women for Ethical Government, along with several other individuals, filed a lawsuit contending that the legislature's repeal of Prop. 4 was unconstitutional and that the maps enacted by lawmakers in 2021 are an illegal gerrymander. Gibson held that by passing Prop. 4 at the ballot box, the citizens of Utah were exercising their constitutional right to "alter or reform" government. When lawmakers passed SB200, they unconstitutionally impaired that reform. Lawmakers had argued that the Utah Constitution gave them exclusive control over redistricting. Judge Gibson rejected that argument, holding that redistricting is a function shared equally by the people and the legislature. Last summer, the Utah Supreme Court rejected the legislature's effort to dismiss the case, sending it back to Gibson's courtroom with instructions to apply strict scrutiny to SB200—the highest level of judicial review, which requires a compelling state interest pursued through the least restrictive means. Legislative lawyers had argued that repealing Prop. 4 was necessary so that maps were enacted in a timely manner. They also claimed maps drawn by lawmakers would include all Utahns, while an independent commission's maps would not be representative. They also argued that keeping redistricting with lawmakers was more fiscally responsible. Gibson rejected those arguments, ruling that SB200 was neither narrowly tailored nor served a compelling government interest. ### What's next? It's expected that the legislature will appeal Gibson's decision. However, the deadline for new maps imposed by Gibson, along with the consequences for noncompliance, means it's entirely possible that the new maps will be in place while that appeal process plays out—and will govern the 2026 election unless a higher court says otherwise. ### Redistricting ruling coming today - but we may not see new maps until 2028 URL: https://utahpolitics.news/redistricting-ruling-coming-today-but-we-may-not-see-new-maps-until-2028/ Last updated: 2025-08-25T13:56:18.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **71** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **148** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **435** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,170** --- ## Why the gerrymandering fight may skip the 2026 election Utah's political landscape hangs in the balance as a [judge prepares to rule today](https://www.fox13now.com/news/politics/utahs-redistricting-ruling-expected-on-monday?ref=utahpolitics.news) on whether state legislators illegally gerrymandered Utah’s four congressional districts. But if redistricting advocates prevail, there’s still a maze of potential delays and roadblocks that could delay the redrawing of maps past the 2026 midterm elections. In court filings, the lieutenant governor's office said that new maps would have to be in place before November-which seems like a fair request, given that candidates need to know what the maps look like before starting their campaigns. The real deadline is January 2, 2026, the day that candidates start filing for office. After that, changing the maps would be nigh impossible because the election would have officially begun. If the judge rules against the legislature, I would expect the strategy would be to find a way to delay acting on drawing new maps until after that date - which is just 130 days away. The window for drawing new maps is likely even shorter than that. More realistically, the deadline is early to mid-December for lawmakers to come up with maps, hold hearings, convene a special session, and vote to implement them. There are several ways to run out the clock before 2026. It's likely the legislature will appeal any ruling against them to the Utah Supreme Court. The last time Utah's top court considered an aspect of this case, it took the justices a full year to issue a ruling. An appeal may not take as long, but it will eat up precious time. If lawmakers are ordered to draw new maps, they would likely have to abide by the rules established by Prop. 4, the 2018 voter-approved ballot initiative that created Utah's independent redistricting commission. That means they could not consider where incumbents live or use partisan voter registration information. They also would have to work to keep cities, counties and other communities together as much as possible. Utah lawmakers have a well-worn playbook to follow if they choose to resist court-ordered redistricting. Alabama's recent redistricting saga offers a telling preview of how partial compliance can be used as a delay tactic while appearing to follow the rules. In 2022, a lawsuit claimed Alabama's congressional map was an illegal racial gerrymander because it had only one majority-Black district. A federal court agreed, and ordered the maps to be redrawn with a second majority-Black district. Those new maps were put on hold while the case was appealed to the Supreme Court, which lifted the pause in June 2023. When Alabama lawmakers redrew the maps in July 2023, they defied the court's order. Instead of creating a second majority-Black district, they just raised the proportion of Black voters in a second district. The court rejected those maps and assigned a special master to redraw the boundaries. The court-drawn maps were in place for the 2024 election, but are again being challenged in court. If Utah lawmakers employ the same tactic by drawing maps that don't fully comply with court orders, that would create more delays. History suggests the GOP-controlled legislature has little to fear from slow-walking new maps past the 2026 midterms. Utah voters have consistently returned them to power, refusing to punish them at the ballot box. There's nothing to suggest that this time will be any different. --- ## Monday's political headlines ### Utah and the West Utah's redistricting ruling expected on Monday. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/politics/utahs-redistricting-ruling-expected-on-monday?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah lawmakers to consider more solar power regulations and community benefits next year. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/08/25/utah-lawmakers-to-consider-more-solar-power-regulations/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Trump admin pulls nearly $62M in solar grants from Utah, leaving rural towns in the dark. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2025/08/25/trump-admin-pulls-62m-solar-grants/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Outlook for utah's snowpack "not the greatest", experts say. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/northern-utah/outlook-for-utahs-snowpack-not-the-greatest-experts-say?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] --- ### Nation President Donald Trump has long sought a Nobel Peace Prize, but he may not have enough support from the jury of five people who make the decision. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/08/25/trump-nobel-peace-prize/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] National guard troops deployed to Washington, D.C. are now carrying firearms. \[[NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/national-guard-troops-dc-begin-carrying-firearms-rcna226890?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump plans to end "cashless bail" in Washington, D.C. \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/08/25/trump-executive-order-dc-cashless-bail?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] --- ### World The Pentagon has quietly blocked Ukraine's long-range missile strikes on Russia for months. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/pentagon-has-quietly-blocked-ukraines-long-range-missile-strikes-on-russia-432a12e1?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] South Korea's president, Lee Jae Myung, will meet face-to-face with President Trump for the first time on Monday. \[[Financial Times](https://www.ft.com/content/28820830-fce0-4a42-b734-05a5b0323beb?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] --- ### Economy The historic drop in immigration is poised to dramatically reshape the U.S. economy. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/economy/immigration-workers-labor-market-b277548f?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] --- ### Environment Solar executives warn that Trump attack on renewables will lead to power crunch that spikes electricity prices. \[[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/24/solar-wind-renewable-trump-tariff-utility-tax-credit-itc-ptc-obbb-electricity-price.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### The progressive dictionary that's costing Democrats votes URL: https://utahpolitics.news/the-progressive-dictionary-thats-costing-democrats-votes/ Last updated: 2025-08-22T13:25:54.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **74** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **151** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **438** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,173** --- ## Democrats' language problem: When "inclusive" becomes exclusive Democrats and liberals are getting a linguistic wake-up call: stop talking like ivory tower academics. That's the message from a center-left think tank, which warns that the party's vocabulary is creating an ever-widening chasm between Democrats and everyday voters. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Utah National Guard to provide support role for upcoming DHS/ICE operation URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-national-guard-to-provide-support-role-for-upcoming-immigration-enforcement-operation/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T19:57:30.000Z The Utah Army National Guard sent a message to some members today asking for volunteers to assist the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) later this year. The message, which was obtained by Utah Political Watch, offered members the opportunity to sign up for "a volunteer mission to assist DHS/ICE" starting next month. Names would need to be submitted by Monday. "This is an ASK/Volunteer mission, not TASK/Mandatory," the message reads. "Duties include: transportation, administrative, and logistical support." The Utah National Guard confirmed to Utah Political Watch that the message was legitimate. The message seeking volunteers came just hours after Governor Spencer Cox said that Utah had been discussing with the federal government how the Utah National Guard could assist the Trump administration's efforts. "What we've said from the very beginning is that we are willing to work to support the efforts to remove the people who are here illegally," Cox said [during his Thursday televised press conference](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFRlxYUA1cg&ref=utahpolitics.news). Cox added that Utah National Guard troops would only help out if it were in a support role. "Our National Guard will not be putting hands on, people will not be arresting people. That is not the role of the National Guard and we would not allow that to happen." The UANG request specifies that volunteers would only be providing administrative and logistical support and transportation for DHS/ICE operations, which aligns with what Cox told reporters. "We've offered in the past to help with things like transportation, because we've had problems, to help with things like transport because we don't have an ICE facility here. Transportation takes a lot of time and effort away from Homeland Security and their ability to do their jobs. Processing, paperwork, those types of things that make it difficult. We've offered to help there," Cox said. The governor added that he would only sign off on using the guard to provide support for federal operations if the federal government paid for it. Cox stressed that he was not planning on sending National Guard members to support the Trump administration's law enforcement efforts in Washington, D.C. Cox's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The National Guard sent 350 service members to Washington, D.C. in 2021 to assist with security for President Joe Biden's inauguration. Utah National Guard soldiers and airmen also provided support for the state's response during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Burgess Owens lauds Trump's 'genius' negotiating skills URL: https://utahpolitics.news/burgess-owens-trump-genius-skills/ Last updated: 2025-08-21T13:44:38.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **75** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **152** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **439** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,174** --- ## Owens praises Trump for meeting with Putin There's little argument that Sen. Mike Lee and Rep. Burgess Owens are the most enthusiastic supporters of President Donald Trump in Utah's congressional delegation. On Tuesday, it was Owens' turn to heap praise on President Trump. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Utah election bills promise transparency, but echo election denial claims URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-election-bills-promise-transparency-but-echo-election-denial-claims/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T17:30:38.000Z Utah lawmakers are poised to consider a trio of election-related bills slated for next month's anticipated special legislative session. Proponents say the measures, which change how election records are handled and the process for signature-gathering candidates to qualify for the primary ballot, promise greater transparency and bolster the integrity of Utah’s elections. Some of those changes are prompted by baseless election fraud conspiracies. [One proposal dealing with election records](https://le.utah.gov/interim/2025/pdf/00003244.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news) sponsored by Rep. Norm Thurston, R-Provo, is a revamp of HB263 passed by lawmakers during the 2025 session. That bill, also sponsored by Thurston, required election officials to create digital copies of election materials, including ballots and the backs of envelopes used to return mail-in ballots, for a dozen years. Accessing those records could be authorized by elected officials during that time frame. County clerks pushed back against these requirements, warning they would strain already limited resources and potentially compromise election security. Currently, election records in Utah are sealed and destroyed after 22 months. They can usually only be accessed through a court order. The new proposal clarifies which records are related to election returns that will be sealed and destroyed after 22 months-things like actual ballots and other sensitive data. "One of the concerns the lieutenant governor has expressed in many circumstances is that when the election is over, it's over. And we don't have people trying to re-litigate, readjudicate the ballots, the counting, all of that sort of stuff," Thurston said Wednesday. However, the new proposal allows for county clerks to make a data set known as the "cast vote record," which is a log of when individual ballots were counted by machine along with individual ballot images loaded into the counting machine. Election officials have said that information could be used to triangulate exactly how voters cast individual ballots. Cast vote records [have become a rallying cry for election deniers](https://www.votebeat.org/arizona/2022/9/7/23341640/cast-vote-record-data-ballot-tabulator-images/?ref=utahpolitics.news) nationwide. After the 2020 election, officials faced an avalanche of demands for this data from activists convinced it would expose widespread fraud—claims that have been repeatedly debunked. Many of the requests for cast vote records were spurred by MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell and his allies. Last year, a Utah appeals court [blocked a lawsuit](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-court-blocks-election-deniers-request-for-2020-voting-machine-data/) brought by a pair of Utah election deniers, Jen Orten and Sophie Anderson, who attempted to use Utah's open records law to obtain the data from the 2020 election. The two women are close allies of former Republican gubernatorial candidate Phil Lyman. Orten and Anderson are also allied with Lindell and several of his associates. Thurston's proposal allows clerks to publish the cast vote record and include it as part of the final canvass report in most elections. Sen. Jen Plumb, D-Salt Lake City, expressed concerns about creating more transparency about elections at the expense of voters' privacy. "How do we maintain protections while maintaining data and protecting the integrity of our elections, while protecting individual populations and population groups who, frankly, could be pretty threatened by a particular vote being released?" Plumb said. Lawmakers on the Government Operations Interim Committee also briefly discussed a pair of bills aiming to make significant changes to the process for candidates who use the signature path to qualify for the primary election ballot. The proposed changes come on the heels of a [series of audits](https://ksltv.com/politics-elections/signature-verification/787809/?ref=utahpolitics.news) that found errors in Utah's signature verification process and [baseless claims of fraud](https://lymanforutah.com/news/2024/10/16/65-spencer-cox-falls-short-on-signatures?ref=utahpolitics.news) pushed by Republican Phil Lyman after he lost the 2024 GOP gubernatorial primary election to incumbent Spencer Cox. [A proposal](https://le.utah.gov/interim/2025/pdf/00003245.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news) from Rep. Lisa Shepherd, R-Provo, requires election officials to post online the name of every voter who signs a petition for a candidate, along with other identifying information, including the voter's precinct. Election officials are also required to inform voters via email that their names will be posted online and they have three days to request that their signature be removed from a petition if they choose. Shepherd says posting the names of all the voters who sign a candidate petition is a necessary move for more transparency. "Another benefit in the process is we have a live signature total," Shepherd said. "As you're seeing on the website, you will know how many signatures. And I believe that is a very transparent way to handle this." In Utah, voters have the option of making their voter registration records private, which means they cannot be released to the public, but that information can be accessed by government agencies, political parties, and candidates for certain purposes. The proposal requires the posting of the names of voters who sign petitions online, even if they have requested that those records be marked as private. When it became clear that he was about to lose the 2024 GOP gubernatorial primary election to Spencer Cox, Phil Lyman's campaign launched an effort to cast doubt on the legitimacy of Cox qualifying for the primary election via signatures. Lyman and his supporters tried to gain access to the petitions submitted by Cox using Utah's open-records laws and through the courts as part of an effort to verify whether those signatures were collected legally. Those requests were denied because those forms contained voter registration records marked as private, which cannot be released publicly. Voter registration records classified as "withheld," which includes victims in domestic violence cases, police officers, and public figures, cannot be publicly released under any circumstance. Lyman is currently [suing the state](https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/right-wing-legal-group-sues-to-obtain-utahs-voter-roll/?ref=utahpolitics.news) in federal court, alleging withholding "private" and "withheld" voter registration records violates federal election law. [Another bill from Shepherd](https://le.utah.gov/interim/2025/pdf/00003101.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news) adds additional requirements on how some candidates submit signatures to election officials for verification. In the past, candidates for statewide office, federal offices, and offices that cover more than one county submitted their signature petitions to a central location for verification. In 2024, the Davis County Clerk handled the signature packets for those candidates. If the proposal is approved, those candidates will now have to submit petitions to the county clerk where the voters who sign reside. If a signature is submitted to the wrong county clerk, it would not be counted. The proposal also shortens the time that candidates have to submit those signatures. The current deadline for turning in candidate petitions is 14 days before either the relevant county or state political convention. The proposal moves the deadline to 21 days before the convention. ![CTA Image](https://www.utahpoliticalwatch.news/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Americans continue to sour on Trump URL: https://utahpolitics.news/trump/ Last updated: 2025-08-20T13:35:11.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **76** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **153** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **440** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,175** --- ## Poll watch President Donald Trump's favorability continues to slide with the American public. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Will Burgess Owens run for a fourth term in Congress? URL: https://utahpolitics.news/will-burgess-owens-run-for-a-fourth-term-in-congress/ Last updated: 2025-08-19T13:38:32.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **77** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **154** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **441** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,176** --- ### Burgess Owens' 2026 decision While political observers have been questioning Rep. Burgess Owens' political future—given he'd be 77 by the end of another term. Turns out, the situation has already been resolved, and not very many people were paying attention. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### What Utah Senate staffers told lawmakers to say about Stuart Adams, the law, and a child sex case URL: https://utahpolitics.news/what-utah-senate-staffers-told-lawmakers-to-say-about-stuart-adams-the-law-and-a-child-sex-case/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T20:10:56.000Z Utah Senate staffers advised lawmakers to dismiss media coverage as "selling drama" amid [mounting scrutiny of Senate President Stuart Adams](https://utahpolitics.news/after-sen-stuart-adams-backed-a-change-to-the-law-his-step-grandchild-got-a-plea-deal-in-child-rape-case/) and a change to the law that was cited in a plea deal for his step-granddaughter in a child sex case. That guidance appears in a set of talking points Senate staff distributed to lawmakers after media reports connecting Adams to the change in the law. A portion of that document was obtained by Utah Political Watch. Adams is [facing harsh criticism](https://www.ksl.com/article/51361894/rallygoers-call-on-stuart-adams-to-resign-over-claims-he-influenced-law-to-help-relative?ref=utahpolitics.news) and [calls to resign](https://www.abc4.com/news/democratic-senator-calls-utah-senate-president-to-resign/?ref=utahpolitics.news) after a 2024 change he initiated was cited as benefitting his step-granddaughter, who was charged with several first-degree felonies after engaging in sex with a 13-year-old in 2023\. In Utah, 13-year-olds cannot consent to sex. The change in the law carved out an exception that allows prosecutors, in certain cases without force or coercion, to treat 18-year-olds who have sex with a minor as juveniles if they are still in high school. The provision was part of a larger criminal justice bill approved by Utah lawmakers during the 2024 legislative session. The change was not retroactive and would not have applied to Adams' stepgranddaughter. However, after the bill passed the legislature, prosecutors gave Adams' step-granddaughter a plea deal, and specifically pointed to the change as a reason why. Instead of two counts of first-degree felony child rape and two counts of first-degree felony sodomy on a child, she pleaded guilty to second-degree felony aggravated assault and three misdemeanor counts of sexual battery. The Senate talking points faults the media for whipping up the controversy by spreading false information about the case. > "These narratives are not just inaccurate. They're fabricated. And despite being informed of the facts, they'd rather sell drama than reality. Outrage drives traffic," the document states. The talking points from Senate staffers characterize the change in the law as a "narrow, case-by-case option" and a "scalpel" for prosecutors instead of a "hammer." > "Reserve the hammer for predators. Use a scalpel for the nuanced cases. The 2024 policy option is the scalpel," the document says. > "The new law treats an 18-year-old high school student the same as a 17-year-old in cases without force or coercion, while still allowing prosecutors to pursue harsher charges when the circumstances warrant it. To deflect some of the outrage over the plea deal given to Adams' step-granddaughter, the document insists, "the young teenage woman charged did not go unpunished," adding that she was "publicly arrested" and "spent 8 days in jail" and was forced to wear an ankle monitor for more than 500 days. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/08/9e71679f-5271-4571-9ae1-4e57d3a35f65-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/08/f8d0814d-dd16-4636-b96b-777a71a23197.jpg) Two pages of talking points provided by Utah Senate staff to lawmakers offering guidance on how to respond to questions about a 2024 change to the law that seemingly benefitted Senate President Stuart Adams' step-granddaughter who was facing charges for felony child rape. Adams' step-granddaughter was facing years in jail because she was initially charged with four first-degree felonies. The plea deal she agreed to imposed no additional jail time, and she was not required to register as a sex offender. Adams has [defended the process](https://www.ksl.com/article/51359900/stuart-adams-wont-resign-over-claims-he-influenced-new-law-to-help-granddaughter?ref=utahpolitics.news) that led to the change, saying that he did not improperly lobby fellow lawmakers for the change. Last week, House Speaker Mike Schultz said the legislature will [take steps to review the policy change](https://www.ksl.com/article/51361404/lawmakers-will-convene-working-group-to-review-policy-in-light-of-stuart-adams-controversy?ref=utahpolitics.news) enacted in the 2024 legislation. It’s not clear if the talking points were distributed to every member of the Utah Senate. Staffers did not respond to questions from Utah Political Watch. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### How one choice in 2009 set up the dominoes that remapped Utah politics URL: https://utahpolitics.news/how-one-choice-in-2009-set-up-the-dominoes-that-remapped-utah-politics/ Last updated: 2025-08-18T13:55:15.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **78** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **155** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **442** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,177** --- ## A counterfactual history of Utah politics A single choice in August 2009 set the course for Utah politics for the next 15 years. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Stuart Adams has a problem URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/podcast-the-problem-with-stuart-adams/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T19:04:55.000Z Utah Senate President Stuart Adams is under scrutiny after a change to state law he championed benefited his step‑granddaughter as she faced serious felony charges. Host Bryan Schott goes through the timeline, explains what changed in the law, and tests Adams’ defense against the public record. We also examine the media’s role and patterns from past episodes where Adams’ actions raised ethical questions. Listen and subscribe to the show [at this link](https://special-session.transistor.fm/s1/33?ref=utahpolitics.news). If you'd like to sponsor this podcast, email [schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news](mailto:schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news) Don't forget to leave a rating and review to help others discover the show. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Unwavering support for Trump starts to waver URL: https://utahpolitics.news/unwavering-support-for-trump-starts-to-waver/ Last updated: 2025-08-15T13:39:42.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **81** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **158** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **445** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,180** --- ## Trump's support among Republicans starting to slide It's no secret that the key to President Donald Trump's success is almost unwavering support from his most loyal supporters. Don't look now, but that unwavering support might be wavering ever so slightly. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Outside group spent over $15,000 on Utah Rep. Celeste Maloy’s weeklong Greece trip with her sister URL: https://utahpolitics.news/outside-group-spent-over-15-000-on-maloys-weeklong-greece-trip-with-her-sister/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T16:42:10.000Z One of Washington’s quieter perks is travel on someone else’s dime. So far this year, Rep. Celeste Maloy and her sister joined a weeklong trip to Greece, and Sen. Mike Lee and his wife decamped to a luxury resort in Georgia for an elite, off‑the‑record policy forum—each paid for by special interest groups. Trips funded by outside entities are generally allowed if tied to official duties like speaking engagements, meetings, or fact‑finding trips—so long as they’re pre‑approved by the House or Senate ethics committees and disclosed in advance. One hard line: trips can’t be funded by foreign governments. In April, Maloy and her sister, Lucia, joined 26 other Republican members on a trip to Crete and Athens. The [Republican Main Street Partnership](https://www.republicanmainstreet.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news)—a nonprofit that backs moderate‑leaning House Republicans—picked up the tab. Maloy said the purpose was to “study how Crete and Athens are spending the money that the U.S. Congress appropriates them.” According to disclosures, the group paid just over $15,000 to cover travel expenses, lodging, meals and other expenses for Maloy and her sister. The itinerary shows four days in Crete meeting with donors and hearing presentations from various stakeholders, followed by two days in Athens for briefings from the Greek armed forces and discussions on the economy and U.S. trade—plus a private tour of the Acropolis before flying home. Sen. Lee and his wife, Sharon, stayed stateside for the 2025 [American Enterprise Institute](https://www.aei.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news) World Forum in Georgia, where Lee was invited to speak. The forum is billed as “one of the most substantive and thought‑provoking off‑the‑record events” for debate on urgent and long‑term issues. AEI is [a non-profit conservative think tank](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American%5FEnterprise%5FInstitute?ref=utahpolitics.news) based in Washington, D.C. This year’s event featured discussions with titles like “Antisemitism at the United Nations: A Global Stain” and “Drill, Baby, Drill: Energy Markets in the Age of Trump and AI.” There were also discussions about the future of the press and housing policy, among others. The event was held in Georgia at [The Cloister at Sea Island](https://www.seaisland.com/stay/the-cloister/?ref=utahpolitics.news) resort, a high-end luxury resort. The cost of travel and lodging for Lee and his wife for travel and two days of lodging was just under $5,400\. Organizers waived the $20,000 conference registration fee. According to the filing, Lee missed the first day of the event because of Senate votes to [pass a government funding bill](https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/03/14/congress/senate-passes-government-funding-bill-00231667?ref=utahpolitics.news). Lee was one of 30 senators invited to the event. Sen. John Curtis was invited but did not attend. Staffers for Utah’s delegation also accepted outside‑funded travel. Maloy’s chief of staff, Bryan Wheat, traveled to Israel for several days at the end of May on a trip paid for by the [American Israel Education Foundation](https://www.aiefdn.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news) (AIEF), the non-profit sister organization of the [American Israel Public Affairs Committee](https://www.aipac.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news) (AIPAC). He said the purpose was to assist Maloy “in understanding foreign policy issues” and aid her “efforts to better legislate on issues regarding Israel policy.” Wheat was one of 14 House Republican staffers on the trip. Travel, lodging, and meals totaled a little more than $14,400, with additional costs—including security—of just over $3,900 per person. Two of Rep. Blake Moore’s staffers traveled to events sponsored by Center Forward, a nonprofit that advocates for bipartisan policies in Congress. Moore’s chief of staff, Rachel Wagley and her husband attended a [Center Forward](https://center-forward.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news) event in Middleburg, Virginia in March. Travel and lodging for the two was a little more than $1,100. Matthew Holyoak, a constituent liaison in Moore’s office, attended a three-day Center Forward event in New York City in April. Travel, lodging and meals cost $1,670. Rep. Burgess Owens’s office reported two such trips in 2025. Deputy Chief of Staff and Communications Director Emma Hall attended a [Congressional Institute](https://www.congressionalinstitute.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news) conference for legislative directors and communications staff in Maryland. Travel, lodging, and other expenses cost $1,200. Legislative assistant Cody Rowe joined a [Jobs for the Future](https://www.jff.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news) site visit in Las Vegas in March. The trip cost just over $1,200. As of now, Sen. John Curtis and Rep. Mike Kennedy—or their staffs—have not disclosed any outside‑funded travel in 2025. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ****Email -** [****tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news**](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news)****.** [****UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal**](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Canadian tourists are skipping the U.S., which could spell trouble for Utah URL: https://utahpolitics.news/canadian-tourists-are-skipping-the-u-s-which-could-spell-trouble-for-utah/ Last updated: 2025-08-14T13:30:17.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **82** Days to the start of the 2026 Utah Legislature (1/20/2026) - **159** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **446** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,181** --- ## 🇨🇦 Oh, Canada! Utah's tourism gold rush could go cold As Canadian visitors abandon U.S. destinations in droves, that could spell trouble for Utah's billion-dollar tourism industry. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Today's newsletter is brought to you by the numbers 37 trillion and 291 billion URL: https://utahpolitics.news/worrying-economic-numbers/ Last updated: 2025-08-13T13:18:49.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **83** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **447** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,182** --- ## 37 trillion and 291 billion Today's most important economic numbers are 37 trillion and 291 billion, and they're both bad. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Utah Board of Education member praises Unabomber, claims 'McCarthy was right' in bizarre speech URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-board-of-education-member-praises-unabomber-claims-mccarthy-was-right-in-bizarre-speech/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T17:21:08.000Z In a bizarre display, a Utah State Board of Education member transformed a routine welcome message into a 20-minute sermon, praising both the Unabomber and Senator Joseph McCarthy while warning her colleagues about Satan's influence in government and the creeping threat of communism. To kick off most meetings of the UBOE, a board member is asked to provide “an inspirational thought, provide a moment of silence, or deliver appropriate welcome and solemnizing remarks as they choose.” [District 8 Republican Christina Boggess](https://schools.utah.gov/board/members/utah/christinaboggess?ref=utahpolitics.news) used this opportunity at the August 7 meeting to launch into what would become a political and religious manifesto. In perhaps the most startling moment of her address, Boggess praised Ted Kaczynski, the domestic terrorist known as the Unabomber, who killed three people and injured 23 others in a mail bombing campaign from 1978 until he was captured in 1995\. Dismissing his deadly campaign of violence, Boggess suggested his 35,000-word manifesto contained some good ideas. “If you don’t know who Ted Kazynski is, he is the Unabomber. And despite the fact that he did morally reprehensible things, he wrote a manifesto that many called a work of genius,” Boggess said. “If you actually read his manifesto, he’s warning about a technocratic state and the rise of communism. Boggess then pivoted to defending another controversial figure, comparing herself to former Sen. Joseph McCarthy, who alleged that communists and Soviet spies had infiltrated the federal government, academia, and the film industry. “I know this is the time where everybody says this is McCarthyism. Red scare,” Boggess said, before making making the remarkable claim. “I don’t know if you know this or not, but McCarthy was right.” “If we look at history and we look at what happened in the early 1900s in America, and we look at what happened during McCarthy’s era, history proved they were right.” During his career, McCarthy became notorious for making outlandish accusations that people were communist sympathizers or disloyal to the United States. Many of those accused lost their jobs. In 1954, the U.S. Senate voted to condemn McCarthy for conduct unbecoming of a senator. He died three years later. Despite the historical record, Boggess urged her colleagues to follow McCarthy’s example. “I would ask all of us to say today that we are going to stop the advancement of communism in our halls, in our walls, and in our policy.” Boggess’ also delivered an extended religious commentary during her presentation, arguing that Christians should not be afraid of confrontation when talking about their faith in public. “Life after rejection of the world and its ways to follow Jesus almost always comes after division, and the sanctification journey may be different for everybody, but it is under the same set of values, and those values are not negotiable, and it is not a Christian crime to discuss them openly,” Boggess said. “It seems that non-believers are more courageous in this day and age than those who claim the name of Jesus.” Continuing down that path, Boggess suggested that Christians needed to assert themselves more in public because Satan’s influence has corrupted government governments at every level, leading them to embrace “tolerance.” “It is legitimately tragic and it is odd to me that even those with a clear biblical understanding that Satan is the father of lies, that governments are corrupt, and that Satan is the ruler of this world, will also assert that publicly questioning the government narrative, their practices, and universal truth is somehow un-Christian,” Boggess said. “ I would challenge us today that truth cannot be sacrificed at an altar of pretend tolerance, and that it also inherently divides.” Boggess was first elected to the UBOE in 2022 and is currently in her first term. She unsuccessfully ran for the Utah State Senate in 2024, losing the GOP primary election to incumbent Republican Wayne Harper. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ### A Robin Hood tale in reverse URL: https://utahpolitics.news/a-robin-hood-tale-in-reverse/ Last updated: 2025-08-12T13:26:10.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections are today (8/12/2025) Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **84** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **448** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,183** --- ## Trump tax cuts: Rich get richer, poor get poorer The sweeping tax cuts and spending package signed by President Donald Trump last month shifts resources away from the poorest Americans while boosting the incomes for the wealthiest 10% of households, [according to a new analysis](https://www.cbo.gov/publication/61367?ref=utahpolitics.news) from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Sen. Stuart Adams' latest controversy spotlights past ethics questions URL: https://utahpolitics.news/sen-stuart-adams-latest-controversy-spotlights-past-ethics-questions/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T20:11:55.000Z Utah Senate President Stuart Adams faces calls to resign after he suggested a tweak to state law that helped shape the outcome of a case involving his step-grandchild, who was facing felony charges for child rape. But this is not the first time that Adams’ political muscle has seemingly overlapped with personal interests. In 2023, Adams’ 18-year-old step-grandchild was charged with two counts of rape of a child and two counts of sodomy on a child after having sex with a 13-year-old. In Utah, a 13-year-old cannot consent. Several months later, Adams discussed the case with Sen. Kirk Cullimore, who proposed a change to the law carving out an exception that lets prosecutors treat 18-year-olds accused of having sex with a 13-year-old as juveniles if they’re still in high school. Although the law was not retroactive, both sides cited it in a plea deal that let Adams’ step-grandchild avoid jail time and a requirement to register as a sex offender. Adams has denied intervening in the case, but both the defense and prosecution cited the change in the law as a key factor in securing the plea bargain. This is not the first time that Adams’ political clout has benefitted close members of his family. In 2011, the Utah Department of Transportation planned a billboard near South Main Street and I-15 in Layton, on UDOT-owned land that was chosen after meetings with city officials. Shortly before construction was to begin, some of his constituents reached out to Adams objecting to the billboard. Adams, the former chairman of the Utah Transportation Commission who sat on the Senate Transportation, Public Utilities and Technology Committee,started making calls to UDOT and city officials, and got the billboard blocked. [Those constituents just happened to be Adams’ parents](https://advance.lexis.com/api/document?collection=news&id=urn:contentItem:53KS-BG51-DYT4-V3F5-00000-00&context=1519360&ref=utahpolitics.news), who lived right across the street from where the billboard was going up. Adams said his parents were unaware that the billboard was going up in that location until construction was about to begin, and he faulted UDOT for not holding a public hearing allowing residents to voice their concerns. He contended that he would have made the same calls if anyone else had raised concerns about the billboard. At the time, state law did not require UDOT to seek approval from the city council or hold a public hearing on the billboard placement. In this case, UDOT approved the site in April, got a permit from the city in May, and construction began shortly thereafter. It was only after the billboard began to go up that Adams intervened. Recently Adams has also been at the center of several controversies involving seemingly unethical behavior. **Campaign finance** Last year, the liberal group Alliance for a Better Utah [accused him of violating state campaign finance](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-election-officials-give-top-gop-lawmaker-a-pass-over-campaign-disclosure-violations/) laws for more than a decade. It was one of at least three complaints against Adams prompted by his campaign disclosures. The complaints alleged Adams and two political action committees under his control improperly reported hundreds of thousands of dollars of campaign spending by listing payments to credit card companies without providing detail on what those expenditures were for. Utah campaign finance law specifically prohibits candidates from listing a “financial intermediary” like a credit card company as the payee on financial disclosures, requiring that they list “the actual person or entity” that is paid using campaign funds. Adams only listed the card payments. Adams said he’d received conflicting guidance about the reporting requirements. For that reason [the lieutenant governor’s office dismissed the complaint](https://utahpolitics.news/top-utah-gop-lawmaker-accused-of-skirting-state-laws-on-campaign-finance-disclosures/) while acknowledging that Adams’ filings violated the law. **International travel** In 2022, Adams and two of his grandchildren [attended the FIFA World Cup in Qatar](https://www.ksl.com/article/50539444/utah-senate-president-stuart-adams-received-trip-to-world-cup-paid-for-by-qatar-government?ref=utahpolitics.news) to watch the U.S. play a match against England. That trip was mostly paid for by the Qatari government. Former Attorney General Sean Reyes [also traveled to the tournament](https://www.fox13now.com/news/fox-13-investigates/qatari-government-pays-for-utah-attorney-general-trip-to-world-cup?ref=utahpolitics.news) on the Qatari government’s dime. Utah state law does not prohibit foreign governments from paying for travel or tickets to sporting events, and there’s no requirement that those trips are disclosed publicly. A few months before Adams and his family traveled to the tournament, the Republican-controlled Utah Senate [blocked legislation from Republican Rep. Candice Pierucci](https://www.sltrib.com/opinion/2022/12/22/senators-blocked-disclosure/?ref=utahpolitics.news) that would have required elected officials who accept gifts or travel from foreign governments to disclose them publicly. [Pierucci sponsored similar legislation](https://utahpolitics.news/day-21-lawmakers-third-try-to-require-disclosure-of-foreign-funded-travel/) in 2023, 2024 and 2025\. All of those proposals died without a vote. **COVID** On the opening day of the 2022 session, Adams triumphantly announced [he had tested negative for COVID-19](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2022/01/18/session-opens-senate/?ref=utahpolitics.news) that morning after testing positive the week before. In reality, Adams tested positive twice for the virus earlier that day shortly before the opening session began. Adams spent most of the day in close contact with other legislators and members of the public, but did not wear a mask for much of that time. Senate staffers acknowledged Adams’ positive tests only after questions from the media. In 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Utah purchased 20,000 doses of an anti-malarial drug at a cost of $800,000 from a pharmacy whose owner, Dan Richards, established a relationship with Adams in the early stages of the pandemic. Adams and Richards connected as part of an informal group of Utah policymakers and business people who helped shape the state’s initial response. The state purchased the drugs from Richards’ pharmacy, “Meds in Motion,” [without informing officials](https://www.deseret.com/utah/2020/4/23/21232945/utah-coronavirus-drugs-stockpile-malaria-hydroxychloroquine-unproven?ref=utahpolitics.news) with the state Health Department. That purchase was ultimately refunded. When a shipment of drugs was held up in a port in California, [Richards reached out to high-ranking state officials](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2021/03/29/exclusive-utahs-power/?ref=utahpolitics.news), including Adams, for help. A few days later, Adams asked the director of the Utah Inland Port Authority to lend a hand. Adams was a proponent of using hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID, despite the lack of scientific evidence of its effectiveness in fighting the virus. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) Email - [tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news). [UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/kSEa7SgydhrUjnf976Yo25uVN0EYw%5Fehcsi15DKRK-48w5GAGB5AOqJjzNfVqyzG) ### Voters don't know much about gerrymandering - but they hate it URL: https://utahpolitics.news/voters-dont-know-much-about-gerrymandering-but-they-hate-it/ Last updated: 2025-08-11T13:25:36.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **1** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **85** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **449** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,184** --- ## Gerrymandering unites Americans of all political stripes...in opposition Most Americans say partisan map-drawing is a major problem—even if many can’t define “gerrymandering” off the top of their heads. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### After Sen. Stuart Adams backed a change to the law, his step-grandchild got a plea deal in Utah child rape case URL: https://utahpolitics.news/after-sen-stuart-adams-backed-a-change-to-the-law-his-step-grandchild-got-a-plea-deal-in-child-rape-case/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T20:12:09.000Z The 18-year-old relative of Utah Senate President Stuart Adams who was charged with raping a 13-year-old—and later received a markedly lighter outcome after Adams advanced a change to Utah law—is his step-grandchild. [The Salt Lake Tribune reported](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2025/08/02/utah-senate-pres-stuart-adams/?ref=utahpolitics.news) that in 2023 an 18-year-old high school student was charged with two counts of rape of a child and two counts of sodomy on a child - both first-degree felonies - after having sex with the 13-year-old. At the time, Utah law allowed 17-year-olds who had sex with 13-year-olds to be charged as juveniles with a third-degree felony (unlawful sexual activity). Anyone under 14 cannot legally consent. According to the Tribune report, during the 2024 legislative session, Adams proposed a change allowing prosecutors, in limited circumstances, to treat 18-year-old high school students accused of child rape as minors—exposing them to lesser charges instead of first-degree felonies. Although the law was not made retroactive, the prosecutor, judge, and defense attorney in the case all acknowledged that it was a major factor in their decision to offer the 18-year-old a plea deal, resulting in guilty pleas to second-degree felony aggravated assault and three misdemeanor counts of sexual battery. The deal also spared the 18-year-old from sex-offender registration. Utah Political Watch has confirmed that the perpetrator is Adams’ step-grandchild. A spokesperson for President Adams did not respond to messages seeking comment or an interview with Adams. Adams has come under fire for the perception that he leveraged his position to influence the case and help a member of his family facing serious legal trouble. Adams has fiercely denied those allegations. On Friday, Democratic Sen. Nate Blouin publicly called on Adams to resign for allegedly abusing his position. Blouin said the newly disclosed family tie does not change his view. “President Adams weighed in on a judicial decision to unduly influence the outcome of a criminal case. That’s extremely problematic and calls into question his competence to serve in a leadership position in the legislature,” Blouin said. “Whether it was a grandchild or a far-flung relative, we should not be privileging them by running a law like this. To do so in such an opaque way reflects poorly on the Senate.” ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02.png) ### Maloy says feds should stay out of redistricting wars URL: https://utahpolitics.news/maloy-says-feds-should-stay-out-of-redistricting-wars/ Last updated: 2025-08-08T13:55:38.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **4** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **88** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **454** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,187** --- ## Maloy says the power to redraw political maps should be kept in the hands of Utah lawmakers As other states race to redraw political maps mid-decade, Rep. Celeste Maloy says Utah’s system doesn’t need fixing. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Utah Democrats bank on backlash to crack a tough electoral map URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-democrats-bank-on-backlash-to-crack-a-tough-electoral-map/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T17:18:41.000Z Last week, the liberal group Vote Save America put $20,000 behind an attempt to flip 10 Republican-held legislative seats. The push is part of [Elevate PAC’s targeted slate](https://www.elevateutahpac.com/2026-recruitment?ref=utahpolitics.news). On paper, the climb is steep. Voter registration data from L2 Political shows Democrats are less than a quarter of the electorate in all 10 districts. Republicans hold either a majority or plurality in eight; unaffiliated voters are the largest bloc in the other two. That disparity doesn’t mean the effort is hopeless. A pair of the districts in Elevate PAC’s crosshairs saw some of the closest races in 2024. - HD10: Republican Jill Koford unseated Democrat Rosemary Lesser by 309 votes in 2024; two years earlier, Lesser beat Koford by 500 - HD26: GOP Rep. Matt MacPherson holds the district with the largest number of Democratic voters on the list; he edged Democrat Jeanetta Williams by 991 votes in 2024. However, some of the targeted seats don’t seem that competitive on first blush. Rep. Jordan Teuscher won HD44 by nearly 5,000 votes in 2024\. Sens. Dan McCay and Kirk Cullimore both won their last elections by more than 11,000 votes. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/08/2025.08.06-XGR-District-Breakdown-1.png) While partisan registration and election results are part of the equation, those aren’t the only factors that went into determining which seats were included on the list. “For a lot of reasons, party identification or party registration numbers aren’t the way that we typically look at competitiveness in these districts,” Jackie Morgan, Principal with Elevate PAC, explained. “We’ll look at how did Kamala Harris perform in those districts and how did other Democratic candidates who overlap in those districts perform.” They’re also betting on voter backlash. Morgan points to public anger at Teuscher over HB267, the anti-union bill the Legislature passed in 2025 despite massive opposition. That law is currently on hold following a wildly successful referendum drive to put the legislation on the 2026 ballot. “People are mad, and for good reason. And I think it has woken up people who want to see different representation, who is actually going to listen to their constituents rather than run bills in opposition to them,” Morgan said. Morgan admits that targeting these 10 seats in 2026 is just the start of a long game to make Democrats more competitive in Utah. “All of this is long term work. All of this is coalition building. And the thing that I have never felt like we had in Utah, as long as I've worked in Utah politics, is just a little bit of hope.” There’s another problem Democrats will have to overcome if they hope to make any sort of electoral gains in the state - the map. The gerrymandering enacted by Republicans when they drew the current political boundaries in 2021 was ruthlessly efficient. - Of Utah’s 104 seats in the legislature (75 House, 29 Senate), registered Democrats are the majority in zero. - Republicans are the majority of registered voters in most House and Senate districts (43 House and 18 Senate), essentially giving the party a built-in majority. - Democrats outnumber Republicans and unaffiliateds in just two House districts and one Senate district. - In four of the six Democratic-held Senate seats, Democrats are only the third largest group—behind unaffiliated voters and Republicans. - Democrats outnumber Republicans in just two Senate districts. In SD13 held by Sen. Nate Blouin, they’re still a smaller group than independents. - Democratic registration doesn’t crack 40% in any district. The high-water mark is HD24, held by Rep. Grant Miller at 38.5%. Given that landscape, you can make the opposite case: Republicans may have clearer pickup opportunities in 2026. - In the House, Republicans are the largest registration bloc in six of the 14 Democratic-held seats; three of those Democrats are first-term incumbents. - In the Senate, SD14 (Sen. Stephanie Pitcher) has the highest GOP share in any Democratic-held seat: just over 40% Republican, 29% unaffiliated, 25% Democrat. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/08/News-Tip02-1.png) ### Only Republicans trust the Supreme Court URL: https://utahpolitics.news/only-republicans-trust-the-supreme-court/ Last updated: 2025-08-07T13:38:25.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **5** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **89** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **455** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,188** --- ## Only Republicans have a positive view of the Supreme Court and Congress Republicans and Democrats have wildly different opinions about the Supreme Court and Congress, according to new polling. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Can we learn anything about the 2026 midterms from Rhode Island? URL: https://utahpolitics.news/can-we-learn-anything-about-the-2026-midterms-from-rhode-island/ Last updated: 2025-08-06T13:40:49.000Z ## August 6, 2025 ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **6** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **90** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **456** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,189** --- ### A wild overperformance in Rhode Island There's not much you can glean about what might happen in the 2026 midterms from a special election to fill a vacancy in the Rhode Island Assembly, but what happened on Tuesday night is eyebrow-raising nontheless. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### GOP megabill's price tag jumps by $1.3 trillion URL: https://utahpolitics.news/gop-megabills-price-tag-jumps-by-1-3-trillion/ Last updated: 2025-08-05T13:39:30.000Z ## August 5, 2025 ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **7** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **91** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **457** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,190** --- ## "Big, beautiful bill" will add $4.1 trillion to deficit The GOP's trillion-dollar megabill is set to inflate the deficit far beyond initial projections while threatening to push interest rates skyward. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Rep. Burgess Owens, who filed bankruptcy 5 times, tells struggling student borrowers to get a second job URL: https://utahpolitics.news/rep-burgess-owens-who-filed-bankruptcy-5-times-tells-struggling-student-borrowers-to-get-a-second-job/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T16:35:02.000Z After having millions of dollars in personal debts wiped clean through multiple bankruptcies, Utah Republican Rep. Burgess Owens has a suggestion for struggling student loan borrowers: Get a second job. During a recent [podcast interview with host John Solomon](https://justthenews.com/podcasts/john-solomon-reports/utah-congressman-burgess-owens-talks-student-loan-forgiveness-trade?ref=utahpolitics.news), Owens celebrated the move by the Trump administration to end the pause on student loan repayments that started during the Biden administration. > “When you come down to what our culture, what our culture is all about, we believe in accountability. We believe in keeping our word,” Owens said. The Trump administration [has restarted collections on defaulted student loans](https://www.businessinsider.com/student-loan-borrowers-default-repayment-wage-social-security-garnishment-2025-4?ref=utahpolitics.news), and the massive tax cuts and spending bill passed by Congress in July [put limits on options borrowers have](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/how-trumps-tax-cuts-affect-federal-student-aid-2025-07-08/?ref=utahpolitics.news) for repaying those loans. Owens has been one of the most vocal opponents of the government providing relief for student borrowers. He railed against the Biden administration’s efforts to forgive student loans, c[alling the program “unconstitutional.”](https://owens.house.gov/posts/owens-statement-opposing-bidens-unconstitutional-student-loan-debt-transfer?ref=utahpolitics.news) He also [signed on to an amicus brief](https://owens.house.gov/posts/owens-signs-amicus-brief-on-bidens-student-loan-bailout?ref=utahpolitics.news) urging the Supreme Court to overturn the program, which they eventually did. He acknowledged that the changes might cause some anxiety for some who have difficulty repaying the debt but says it will lead to more personal accountability. > “There’s stress that comes with that. Obviously there’s sleepless nights. There’s long days. But then you realize, maybe I need to go out and get a second job.” > > “Once that gets back into our American way, then across the board in every industry that’s gonna start to happen. When people start thinking more about what can I do instead of what somebody can do for me, once we get back to that, then it’s truly an intergenerational legacy we need to continue to pass on.” Owens call for personal responsibility in repaying debts seems hypocritical given his own financial history. Court records show [Owens has filed for personal bankruptcy](https://www.salon.com/2023/03/24/rails-against-student-loan-bailout-got-15m-of-loans-forgiven%5Fpartner/?ref=utahpolitics.news) at least five times between the 1990s and 2000s. - In 1991, Owens filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in New York. The case was closed in 1999. - In 2005, Owens again filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection, this time in Pennsylvania. Creditors claimed he owed $1.7 million. Owens paid $200,000 and the remaining debt was discharged. - Owens filed for Chapter 13 protection three times. All of those debts were discharged. On Owens’ [most recent financial disclosure report](https://disclosures-clerk.house.gov/public%5Fdisc/financial-pdfs/2023/10062290.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news), he lists an outstanding loan for his daughter to attend Syracuse University with an outstanding balance of between $100,000 and $250,000\. That amount has increased recently. [On his 2022 disclosure](https://disclosures-clerk.house.gov/public%5Fdisc/financial-pdfs/2021/10047692.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news), Owens estimated he owed between $50,000 and $100,000 on the loan. Also in the interview, Owens heaped praise on President Donald Trump’s economic policies, repeatedly referring to Trump as a “genius.” > “We have literally a genius when it comes to business ownership. A genius when it comes down to negotiating. And more importantly, a business owner who loves our country. He’s putting all the years and decades of success into making sure our country works the same way.” Owens also was effusive about the tariffs President Trump slapped on goods coming into the U.S. But he falsely claimed that those tariffs are paid for by foreign countries, which would lead to economic prosperity for the middle class. > “We have this remarkable consumer base…This middle class is worth other countries paying a price to enter to, to be engaged with, and that’s what our president finally sees.” Tariffs are a tax on imports that are paid for by the importer, which in this case is American companies. At least some of the costs of those tariffs [are being passed on to consumers](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/02/business/trump-tariffs-consumer-prices.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) through rising prices. ### *Got a news tip to share? Email* [*tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news*](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) *or* [*message me securely on Signal*](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news#eu/l4IQPeWeKIsOBd-X2AK6l8UYforaMXVE9koRqMQoSGE7KDRWRLBOer0pHYTwbCAz)*.* ### Economic warning signs flashing red URL: https://utahpolitics.news/economic-warning-signs-flashing-red/ Last updated: 2025-08-05T02:20:15.000Z ## August 4, 2025 ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) -8 Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **92** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **458** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,191** --- ### Stagflation fears return A prominent economist has a grim view of the economy, warning the U.S. is on the "brink" of a recession. Some are even using the dreaded "s-word"—stagflation. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### The feds want Utah's voting records URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/podcast-the-feds-want-utahs-voting-records/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T20:12:43.000Z The chatter surrounding Utah Sen. Mike Lee as a possible pick for the Supreme Court has started again. Don't dismiss it as just idle speculation. Lee probably came closer to landing a seat on the Supreme Court in 2018 than most realize. The Justice Department wants information about Utah's elections. This could have a very big impact on the 2026 elections and beyond. A liberal group is spending money in Utah to recruit candidates to challenge Republicans in 10 legislative seats. We'll explain why that money might be better spent on trying to register more Democratic voters. [Listen or subscribe at this link](https://special-session.transistor.fm/32?ref=utahpolitics.news). If you'd like to sponsor this podcast, email [schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news](mailto:schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news) Don't forget to leave a rating and review to help others discover the show. ### Democrats win voters, lose hearts URL: https://utahpolitics.news/democrats-win-voters-lose-hearts/ Last updated: 2025-08-01T13:37:19.000Z ## August 1, 2025 ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **11** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **95** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **461** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,194** --- ## Democratic paradox: Support rises as image falls Democrats are winning the numbers game but losing the popularity contest. For the first time in nearly two years, more Americans are aligning with the Democratic Party than the Republicans—yet the Democrats' public image has plummeted to its lowest point in over three decades. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Utah's failed chemtrail bill part of growing GOP movement URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utahs-failed-chemtrail-bill-part-of-growing-gop-movement/ Last updated: 2025-07-31T13:41:28.000Z ## July 31, 2025 ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **12** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **96** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **462** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,195** --- ## Utah's weather conspiracy bill part of national wave Republican lawmakers nationwide are pushing legislation to combat an imaginary threat: the supposed secret spraying of chemicals from aircraft to control the weather. This legislative crusade stems from the notorious "chemtrails" conspiracy theory, which has long claimed that governments or shadowy elites are manipulating the environment through aerial chemical spraying. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### The Mike Lee Supreme Court chatter begins anew URL: https://utahpolitics.news/the-mike-lee-supreme-court-chatter-begins-anew/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T16:44:07.000Z The Trump administration is quietly laying the groundwork for filling potentially two vacancies on the Supreme Court. [Time reports](https://time.com/7305987/donald-trump-supreme-court-justices/?ref=utahpolitics.news) that behind-the-scenes discussions are already underway about replacing Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas or Samuel Alito, the two oldest members of the court, should either of those conservative stalwarts decide to step down. Utah Sen. Mike Lee finds himself once again in the mix of potential nominees—a familiar position from Trump’s first term. While not currently considered among the frontrunners, Lee’s ties to the conservative Heritage Foundation could give him a boost when the moment arrives. > The Heritage Foundation, a conservative Washington-based think tank that’s best known for spearheading [Project 2025](https://time.com/7209901/donald-trump-executive-actions-project-2025/?ref=utahpolitics.news), is also expected to work to influence Trump’s decision. John Malcolm, vice president of Heritage’s Institute for Constitutional Government, can list off the top of his head more than 10 current circuit court judges he thinks would make strong justices on the nation’s highest court. Malcolm also believes Senator of Utah, a former assistant U.S. attorney who clerked for Alito, would be an “excellent choice.” While Lee isn’t a sitting judge, he “isn’t afraid to speak his mind,” says Malcolm, who adds that Lee has a track record of legislation and books that show he’s a textualist and originalist. Lee has flirted with a possible nomination to the high court from Trump for nearly a decade. - During his first campaign in 2016, Lee and his brother Thomas were on [a list of 21 potential nominees](https://sg.news.yahoo.com/trump-expected-release-list-potential-supreme-court-justices-152357058.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) to replace Associate Justice Antonin Scalia after his death earlier that year. Trump eventually nominated Neil Gorsuch. - When Associate Justice Anthony Kennedy retired in 2018, [Lee was a top contender](https://www.politico.com/story/2018/07/03/trump-mike-lee-supreme-court-scotus-692615?ref=utahpolitics.news) to replace him. President Trump [was reportedly worried](https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2018-06-28/trump-is-said-to-weigh-senator-mike-lee-for-high-court-vacancy?ref=utahpolitics.news) Lee would have difficulties getting confirmed by the Senate due to his public opposition to Roe v. Wade. He eventually nominated Brett Kavanaugh to replace him. - During Trump’s 2020 re-election bid, [Axios reported ](https://www.axios.com/2020/09/09/trump-supreme-court-list?ref=utahpolitics.news)that Lee was one of Trump’s top three on a list of picks to fill a potential vacancy on the court if he had won another term. Just over a week after Trump released the updated list of nominees, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg died. She was eventually replaced by Amy Coney Barrett. Trump is not the only politician to float Lee’s name as a possible Supreme Court pick. Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy included the Utah senator on [a list of candidates he would nominate](https://www.aol.com/ted-cruz-mike-lee-among-151508985.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) during the 2024 race. ### *Got a news tip to share? Email* [*tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news*](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) *or* [*message me securely on Signal*](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news#eu/l4IQPeWeKIsOBd-X2AK6l8UYforaMXVE9koRqMQoSGE7KDRWRLBOer0pHYTwbCAz)*.* ### Americans reject Trump's Epstein connection defense URL: https://utahpolitics.news/americans-reject-trump-epstein-defense/ Last updated: 2025-07-30T13:47:36.000Z ## July 30, 2025 ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **13** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **97** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **463** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,196** --- ## Even Republicans wavering on Trump's Epstein defense New polling reveals mounting public scrutiny of former President Donald Trump's connections to Jeffrey Epstein, as Americans say they are skeptical of Trump's role in the controversial case. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Utah AG joins push to strip trans athletes of NCAA achievements URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-ag-joins-push-to-strip-trans-athletes-of-ncaa-achievements/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T20:03:16.000Z Utah Attorney General Derek Brown joined with 27 other Republican attorneys general to demand NCAA President Charlie Baker strip transgender athletes of their achievements in women’s collegiate sports and erase their records from competition. Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch led the charge in a letter condeming the Biden administration and the NCAA for implementing policies that allowed transgender women to compete in female athletic programs. “There is no doubt that the women forced to compete against biological males in female events were impacted negatively and unfairly disadvantaged,” the letter reads. “We urge the NCAA to develop a plan to restore all appropriate recognitions to the women athletes who were wrongfully denied all that they earned.” The attorneys general praise the [policy adopted by the NCAA in February](https://thehill.com/homenews/lgbtq/5131366-ncaa-prohibits-transgender-athletes-in-womens-sports/?ref=utahpolitics.news) that limits participation in women’s sports only to student athletes who were assigned female at birth. The policy shift came one day after President Trump [signed an executive order](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/02/05/trump-executive-order-targets-transgender-women-in-sports/78252654007/?ref=utahpolitics.news) barring transgender women and girls from playing in school sports, threatening to cut off federal funds to schools that don’t comply. [Letter to NCAA from 28 Republican AGs](https://www.scribd.com/document/892031495/Restoration-of-Athletic-Records-Titles-Awards-And-Recognitions-in-NCAA-Women-s-Sports?ref=utahpolitics.news#from%5Fembed "View Letter to NCAA from 28 Republican AGs on Scribd") by [Bryan Schott](https://www.scribd.com/user/125356003/Bryan-Schott?ref=utahpolitics.news#from%5Fembed "View Bryan Schott's profile on Scribd") on Scribd “Since taking office in January, President Trump has made restoring fairness to women athletes a priority. While we appreciate the steps the NCAA has taken since then, there is far more the NCAA can do for the women athletes that have competed and continue to compete in your events,” the letter reads. Attorney General Brown’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. ### *Got a news tip to share? Email* [*tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news*](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) *or* [*message me securely on Signal*](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news#eu/l4IQPeWeKIsOBd-X2AK6l8UYforaMXVE9koRqMQoSGE7KDRWRLBOer0pHYTwbCAz)*.* ### Congress or retirement home? America's growing political age divide URL: https://utahpolitics.news/congress-or-retirement-home-americas-growing-political-age-divide/ Last updated: 2025-07-29T13:31:10.000Z ## July 29, 2025 ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **14** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **98** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **464** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,197** --- ### The age problem in U.S. politics America's halls of power have become a gerontocracy, with lawmakers who are dramatically older than the citizens they represent—a disconnect that may explain why younger voters feel alienated from their government. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Utah GOP rep calls Epstein files a 'festering wound' URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-gop-rep-calls-epstein-files-a-festering-wound/ Last updated: 2025-07-28T16:51:02.000Z ## July 28, 2025 ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **15** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **99** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **465** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,198** --- ## Kennedy calls for government transparency in the grossest way possible In a vivid medical metaphor, Rep. Mike Kennedy likened the growing controversy over the Trump administration's refusal to release Jeffrey Epstein-related files to a festering wound that needs to be drained. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Podcast: Take away Mike Lee's phone! URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/podcast-take-away-mike-lees-phone/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T17:55:15.000Z It was a bad week on social media for a couple of Utah's congressional Republicans. - Rep. Burgess Owens [reposted an anti-Muslim video on social media](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-rep-burgess-owens-shares-anti-muslim-video-from-white-supremacist-account/) that came from an account that frequently posts White supremacist content. - Sen. Mike Lee was [fooled AGAIN by a fake letter on social media](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-rep-burgess-owens-shares-anti-muslim-video-from-white-supremacist-account/) that was clearly generated by AI. Lee likes to criticize the media for inaccuracies, but he should really work on his media literacy skills before condemning others. Sen. Lee joined with Senate Republicans on Thursday to [block a Democratic-led effort](https://utahpolitics.news/sen-lee-votes-to-block-release-of-epstein-files-day-after-trumps-name-surfaces/) to pressure the Trump administration to release documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. Rep. Celeste Maloy [backed a GOP-led push](https://utahpolitics.news/celeste-maloy-backs-bid-to-put-melania-trumps-name-on-kennedy-center/) to put First Lady Melania Trump's name on the Kennedy Center opera house, using federal funds as leverage. Utah's population growth is on track to [give the Beehive State another seat in Congress](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-poised-to-gain-a-seat-in-congress/) after the 2030 Census. [Listen or subscribe at this link](https://share.transistor.fm/s/55c8d8cf?ref=utahpolitics.news). If you'd like to sponsor this podcast, email [schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news](mailto:schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news) Don't forget to leave a rating and review to help others discover the show. ### Utah Rep. Burgess Owens shares anti-Muslim video from White supremacist account URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-rep-burgess-owens-shares-anti-muslim-video-from-white-supremacist-account/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T16:46:49.000Z Utah Republican Congressman Burgess Owens sparked controversy Friday after sharing an anti-Muslim video from an account on X/Twitter that frequently posts hateful White supremacist content. The inflammatory video, which remained on Owens' profile for over 14 hours before being deleted, featured a woman making false and xenophobic claims about Islam and Western society. The video promoted numerous false claims about Muslims and Islam, including the false assertion that the religion "doesn't even see rape as a crime" - a statement contradicted by Islamic law. The speaker also claimed that "The UK and now America are sacrificing their wives and daughters for diversity credit." The video continued with a string of inflammatory accusations against Muslim immigrants, claiming they "hate women, children, white people, America, and Western civilization." ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/07/IMG_0169.jpeg) Screenshot of a post from X/Twitter shared by Utah Rep. Burgess Owens The incident was puzzling because Owens, who is Black, has spent much of his career in Congress recounting his experiences with Jim Crow growing up in the South and accusing Democrats and the left of promoting racist policies. Owens's office did not immediately respond to questions from Utah Political Watch. A source close to Owens claimed the repost was likely a mistake and not intentional. This isn't Owens' first brush with extreme content. During his first run for Congress in 2020, he [made several appearances on programs](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/qanon-becomes-issue-tossup-utah-house-race-n1245504?ref=utahpolitics.news) related to the QAnon conspiracy theory. ### *Got a news tip to share? Email* [*tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news*](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) *or* [*message me securely on Signal*](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news#eu/l4IQPeWeKIsOBd-X2AK6l8UYforaMXVE9koRqMQoSGE7KDRWRLBOer0pHYTwbCAz)*.* ### Celeste Maloy backs bid to put Melania Trump's name on Kennedy Center URL: https://utahpolitics.news/celeste-maloy-backs-bid-to-put-melania-trumps-name-on-kennedy-center/ Last updated: 2025-07-25T13:29:53.000Z ## July 25, 2025 ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **18** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **102** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **466** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,201** --- ### "Mingle" about politics and policy on Saturday If you're interested in civil political discussion, check out the "Smerconish Mingle Meetup" Saturday at noon. The event, inspired by radio host Michael Smerconish, aims to bring together people from all political backgrounds to discuss the "big issues." More information and [registration info at this link](https://www.meetup.com/smerconish-mingle-meetup-salt-lake-city/events/309936155/?ref=utahpolitics.news). --- ### Utah Rep. votes to put Melania Trump's name on Kennedy Center Earlier this week, Utah GOP Rep. Celeste Maloy was one of 34 Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee who voted to rename the opera house at the John F. Kennedy Center after first lady Melania Trump. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Sen. Lee votes to block release of Epstein files day after Trump's name surfaces URL: https://utahpolitics.news/sen-lee-votes-to-block-release-of-epstein-files-day-after-trumps-name-surfaces/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T16:47:04.000Z Utah Sen. Mike Lee joined Republicans on Thursday in killing an effort to pressure the Trump administration to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein—just one day after reports emerged that President Donald Trump’s name appears multiple times in “truckloads” of documents related to the convicted sex trafficker. The vote came during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing as New Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker attempted to attach an amendment to a bipartisan legislation targeting opioid trafficking that would have kept the bill from going into effect until the Epstein files are released. "The Department of Justice, we know clearly has lied to the American people one way or another," Booker said. Published reports on Wednesday said that Attorney General Pam Bondi briefed President Donald Trump in May that his name appeared several times in the "truckload" of documents that the Justice Department had related to Epstein. Earlier this month, the FBI [released a memo](https://www.justice.gov/opa/media/1407001/dl?inline&ref=utahpolitics.news) concluding that the long-rumored Epstein client list did not exist and that there was no evidence of foul play related to his death. "So what's the lie? That there are truckloads of evidence and this DOJ is protecting those associates with this horrific crime," Booker said. "Or is the lie that there is nothing there at all?" Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn moved to neutralize Booker’s maneuver, proposing a substitute amendment that blocked the Epstein transparency requirement. "Nothing we are voting on today is going to change any of the debate about the Epstein files," Cornyn said. Lee sided with the other Republicans on the committee by voting for Cornyn’s amendment. As Democrats cast their votes, they didn't mince words: "No on concealing the Epstein files." Last week during a podcast interview, Sen. Lee [said he would be in favor](https://utahpolitics.news/sen-lee-maxwell-should-testify-to-congress-on-epstein-case/) of having longtime Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell testify before Congress. ### *Got a news tip to share? Email* [*tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news*](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) *or* [*message me securely on Signal*](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news#eu/l4IQPeWeKIsOBd-X2AK6l8UYforaMXVE9koRqMQoSGE7KDRWRLBOer0pHYTwbCAz)*.* ### Trump's awful approval ratings URL: https://utahpolitics.news/trumps-awful-approval-ratings/ Last updated: 2025-07-24T13:36:00.000Z ## July 24, 2025 ## Happy Pioneer Day! ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **19** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **103** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **467** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,202** --- ### Trump losing popularity contest...to himself. President Donald Trump promised that America "would be winning so much, you'll be tired of winning." Well, he's apparently won his way to historically awful approval ratings. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Gen Z has buyers remorse about Trump URL: https://utahpolitics.news/gen-z-has-buyers-remorse-about-trump/ Last updated: 2025-07-23T17:19:59.000Z ## July 23, 2025 ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **20** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **104** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **468** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,203** --- ## Gen Z has buyers remorse about Trump President Donald Trump's approval rating among younger voters has fallen off a cliff. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Sen. Mike Lee fooled by fake Fed chair resignation letter URL: https://utahpolitics.news/sen-mike-lee-fooled-by-fake-fed-chair-resignation-letter/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T16:47:20.000Z Sen. Mike Lee’s credibility problem took another hit on Tuesday. Almost exactly one year after posting a fake letter announcing the death of a former U.S. president, the Utah Republican appears to have fallen for yet another hoax. On Tuesday morning, Lee shared, then swiftly deleted, what appeared to be a fake resignation letter from Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. "Powell's out!" Lee proclaimed on his personal BasedMikeLee X/Twitter account, along with the letter. The letter, purportedly from Powell, said that he would resign at the end of the business day on Tuesday, July 22. "I am proud of what we have accomplished," the apparently fake letter read. "However, at this critical juncture, I believe new leadership is needed to carry forward the important work of the Federal Reserve and to reinforce public confidence in its independence and effectiveness." There were several elements letter that immediately would identify it as an obvious fake. The Federal Reserve "seal" next to the signature is obviously AI-generated—apart from "reserve" and "of," there are no real words. The post vanished within minutes, but not before Politico reporter Jordain Carney captured the evidence. Lee's excuse? He deleted it "out of an abundance of caution" because he couldn't verify the letter's authenticity—a precaution that was absent the first time he hit "post." > Sen. Mike Lee tweeted (and appears to have deleted) what he appears to believe is a resignation letter (??) from Powell [pic.twitter.com/w5ez4wjdFc](https://t.co/w5ez4wjdFc?ref=utahpolitics.news) > > — Jordain Carney (@jordainc) [July 22, 2025](https://twitter.com/jordainc/status/1947721789565444501?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) Lee was roasted on social media for falling for the obvious fake. > Very real and not AI-looking seal of the federal reserve. Excellent work by Utah's senior senator. [https://t.co/6rU7ThbnjM](https://t.co/6rU7ThbnjM?ref=utahpolitics.news) [pic.twitter.com/wdcNJNpXsM](https://t.co/wdcNJNpXsM?ref=utahpolitics.news) > > — Joe Perticone (@JoePerticone) [July 22, 2025](https://twitter.com/JoePerticone/status/1947724487006556526?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) > This is like the 68th most embarrassing based mike lee moment tho > > — Sam Stein (@samstein) [July 22, 2025](https://twitter.com/samstein/status/1947724606447751346?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) > who could blame the Utah senator? These fakers really nailed the seal of the "Elerebal Reserve Oedo of Goveryaeb" [https://t.co/jWgHWeAv59](https://t.co/jWgHWeAv59?ref=utahpolitics.news) [pic.twitter.com/HmotGUxLIx](https://t.co/HmotGUxLIx?ref=utahpolitics.news) > > — Brendan Pedersen (@BrendanPedersen) [July 22, 2025](https://twitter.com/BrendanPedersen/status/1947726626659180933?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) Lee, who frequently attacks traditional media outlets for a perceived lack of accuracy and caution in their reporting, has a growing track record of falling for internet hoaxes. Last July 23—yes, almost exactly one year ago—he posted a counterfeit letter announcing Jimmy Carter's death. Any reasonable person would have spotted the red flags: the fake letter bizarrely quoted the former president making crude sexual references about his late wife Rosalynn and Nancy Reagan. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/07/BB1qv4J3.jpg) A Lee's July 2024 was a banner month for misinformation. He also amplified false claims that President Biden had suffered a "medical emergency" on Air Force One—a conspiracy theory cooked up by far-right provocateur Laura Loomer. > If Biden is having a medical emergency at this moment — on board Air Force One or otherwise — that raises … a lot of questions. [https://t.co/KgnlflGxSd](https://t.co/KgnlflGxSd?ref=utahpolitics.news) > > — Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) [July 6, 2024](https://twitter.com/BasedMikeLee/status/1809379040496873530?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) ### *Got a news tip to share? Email* [*tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news*](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) *or* [*message me securely on Signal*](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news#eu/l4IQPeWeKIsOBd-X2AK6l8UYforaMXVE9koRqMQoSGE7KDRWRLBOer0pHYTwbCAz)*.* ### Utah poised to gain a seat in Congress URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-poised-to-gain-a-seat-in-congress/ Last updated: 2025-07-22T13:12:32.000Z ## July 22, 2025 ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **21** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **105** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **469** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,204** --- ## Utah's congressional math adds up Utah is poised to gain a fifth seat in Congress after the 2030 Census, according to a new analysis from a Democratic group. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Utah is still Trump territory, but support shows signs of wear URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-is-still-trump-territory-but-support-shows-signs-of-wear/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T20:04:08.000Z Utah voters still mostly approve of how President Donald Trump is handling his duties in the White House, but those who have a negative view of his job performance have ticked up slightly over the last three months. According to the latest [Morning Consult quarterly tracking poll](https://pro.morningconsult.com/trackers/donald-trump-approval-rating-by-state?ref=utahpolitics.news), Trump holds a +13 net approval rating in Utah, with 55% of voters backing his performance while 42% disapprove. Support for the president has eroded slightly since the first three months of 2025, when he enjoyed a more comfortable +17 net approval rating (56% approve/39% disapprove). Trump is wildly popular among Utah Republicans who make up a little more than half of registered voters in the state.Meanwhile, Democrats and voters who aren’t affiliated with either major party have a dim view of Trump’s job performance. - Republicans - 83% approve/15% disapprove (+69 net). - Democrats - 16% approve/82% disapprove (-66 net). - Independents - 30% approve/62% disapprove (-32 net). Republican enthusiasm for Trump seems to have waned slightly from the first quarter of the year, when those voters gave him a +72 net approval rating. Trump also gets positive marks for his job performance across every age demographic in the Beehive State. - Age 18-34 - 53% approve/41% disapprove (+12 net). - Age 35-44 - 57% approve/39% disapprove (+18 net). - Age 45-64 - 58% approve/39% disapprove (+19 net). - Age 65+ - 50% approve/49% disapprove (+2 net). ### *Got a news tip to share? Email* [*tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news*](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) *or* [*message securely on Signal*](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news#eu/l4IQPeWeKIsOBd-X2AK6l8UYforaMXVE9koRqMQoSGE7KDRWRLBOer0pHYTwbCAz)*.* ### A rift in the Utah GOP? URL: https://utahpolitics.news/a-rift-in-the-utah-gop/ Last updated: 2025-07-21T13:36:11.000Z ## Monday, July 21, 2025 ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **22** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **106** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **470** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,205** --- ### 🎙️ New podcast episode On this week's episode of "Special Session": - Why the feds dropped the case against a Utah doctor accused of selling fake vaccine cards. - The latest federal campaign finance disclosures. - Republicans try to contain the fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein mess. [Listen or subscribe here](https://special-session.transistor.fm/30?ref=utahpolitics.news). --- ### Is there a rift in the Utah GOP When he was the chairman of the Utah GOP, Attorney General Derek Brown said Utah had three distinct political parties, and two of them were the Utah Republican Party. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Who's funding who? URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/podcast-whos-funding-who/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T20:13:10.000Z Federal prosecutors drop the charges against a Utah doctor accused of running a fake vaccine card scheme. How much did politics play in the dismissal? (Hint: a lot). Who is funding your congressional delegation? We break down the latest financial disclosures and come up with some interesting nuggets. Republicans are flailing trying to contain the fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein files controversy. Sen. Mike Lee suggests having Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell testify before Congress. Poll numbers highlight a very sharp divide between two factions of the Utah GOP. Listen below [or at this link](https://special-session.transistor.fm/30?ref=utahpolitics.news). If you'd like to sponsor this podcast, email [schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news](mailto:schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news) Don't forget to [subscribe to the podcast](https://specialsession.podbean.com/?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news) and leave a rating and review to help others discover the show. ### Sen. Lee: Maxwell should testify to Congress on Epstein case URL: https://utahpolitics.news/sen-lee-maxwell-should-testify-to-congress-on-epstein-case/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T16:47:28.000Z Senator Mike Lee is calling for convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell to testify before Congress. The political world was rocked last week when the Justice Department and FBI released a memo concluding that the long-rumored Epstein "client list" was a myth. The memo also concluded that Epstein was not murdered but took his own life in prison—a finding that has done little to quell public skepticism. The Trump administration's attempts to dismiss the controversy have backfired spectacularly. Trump and his allies repeatedly stoked conspiracy theories about Epstein during the 2024 election and have now dismissed the issue as nothing more than a “hoax.” “This is a difficult topic, and it’s a topic that’s not simply gonna go away easily,” Lee said during an interview this week with conservative [YouTube personality Benny Johnson](https://www.youtube.com/@bennyjohnson?ref=utahpolitics.news). Lee is correct. A [Reuters/Ipsos poll](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-faces-backlash-69-believe-epstein-details-concealed-reutersipsos-poll-2025-07-17/?ref=utahpolitics.news) released on Thursday found that 69% of Americans think the federal government is hiding details about Epstein’s clients, and just 17% of Americans approve of President Trump’s handling of the case. Lee says, fundamentally, Americans don’t trust the government, and the Trump administration could rebuild some of that trust by being more forthcoming. “Anything that will give the public a greater understanding of what the government has, what it doesn’t have, and why it doesn’t have it or can’t release it. A robust explanation as to why what’s not being released can’t be released, either because it’s privileged, grand jury proceeding material, or to respect victim confidentiality, or something like that,” Lee said. Then Lee suggested another move that could help put the issue to bed. “I think there are people who do know, who could talk. Imagine if we had Ghislane Maxwell come and testify before a congressional committee. I think that could go a long way toward helping the public gain some insight into this longstanding criminal enterprise that people are afraid will be swept under the rug,” Lee said. Johnson, clearly caught off guard by Lee’s idea, asked if Lee would favor having Maxwell testify before Congress. “Absolutely,” Lee said. “I think she could answer a lot of questions that could help put all of this in perspective.” Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022 on child sex-trafficking charges. Earlier this week, [the Daily Mail reported](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14901591/Jeffrey-Epstein-Ghislaine-Maxwell-trump-congress.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) that associates of Maxwell have offered to have her testify before Congress. Last week, Lee suggested without evidence that Epstein was possibly a government asset. ### *Got a news tip to share? Email* [*tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news*](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) *or* [*message me securely on Signal*](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news#eu/l4IQPeWeKIsOBd-X2AK6l8UYforaMXVE9koRqMQoSGE7KDRWRLBOer0pHYTwbCAz)*.* ### Utah voters shrug at Lee's online trolling URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-voters-shrug-at-lees-online-trolling/ Last updated: 2025-07-18T13:35:13.000Z ## Friday, July 18, 2025 ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **25** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **109** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **473** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,208** ### Mike Lee keeps on keepin' on... Sen. Mike Lee's inflammatory social media presence appears to have little impact on his political standing in Utah. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Poll: Curtis finds broader partisan appeal than Cox, Lee URL: https://utahpolitics.news/poll-curtis-finds-broader-partisan-appeal-than-cox-lee/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T16:50:05.000Z New polling shows Utah’s top elected officials maintaining positive approval ratings, with Gov. Spencer Cox leading at 54% approval among registered voters. The latest Morning Consult quarterly tracking poll shows varying levels of support for Cox and U.S. Senators Mike Lee and John Curtis, with notable partisan divisions. Cox's 54% approval rating, coupled with 34% disapproval, gives him a net positive rating of +20\. This marks an improvement from the first quarter, when he held a +15 net approval rating (52% approve/37% disapprove). While Cox is wildly unpopular among Utah Republican delegates, that opposition does not extend to the rest of the party. Nearly three-quarters of Republican voters say they approve of his job performance. However, there is a sharp partisan divide, with Democrats and a plurality of independent voters disapproving of his job performance. - Republicans - 74% approve/18% disapprove (+56 net approval) - Democrats - 27% approve/61% disapprove (-35 net approval) - Independent - 36% approve/42% disapprove (-6 net approval) Cox’s approval rating is close to the middle of the pack when compared to other governors, as 22 other state leaders have a higher net approval rating. The only governor with an overall negative rating according to the Morning Consult poll is Iowa Republican Kim Reynolds, who has a net approval of minus 7. Sen. Mike Lee maintains a net-positive approval rating despite support from less than half of Utah voters. The Morning Consult polling found 49% of Utahns say they approve while 36% disapprove, giving Lee a net-positive approval of +13\. Those numbers are essentially unchanged from the previous quarter when 49% approved and 35% disapproved. Like Cox, Lee is wildly popular among Republican voters but viewed negatively by Democrats and voters who are not part of any political party. - Republicans - 71% approve/15% disapprove (+56 net approval) - Democrats - 20% approve/69% disapprove (-49 net approval) - Independents - 27% approve/50% disapprove (-23 net approval) There is a slightly different pattern in the results for Sen. John Curtis, who moved from the U.S. House to the Senate in January. Curtis has the highest net approval rating at +26, with 51% of voters saying they approve of the way he’s handling his job compared with only 25% disapproval. While all three get strong support from Republican voters, Curtis seems to have a broader appeal than Cox and Lee. His +11 net approval among independents contrasts sharply with Cox’s -6 and Lee’s -23 among that same group. Curtis also faces less intense opposition from Democrats, with a -28 net approval, compared to Cox’s -35 and Lee’s steeper -49. - Republicans - 68% approve/13% disapprove (+55 net approval) - Democrats - 28% approve/55% disapprove (-28 net approval) - Independent - 37% approve/26% disapprove (+11 net approval) ### *Got a news tip to share? Email* [*tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news*](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) *or* [*message me securely on Signal*](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news#eu/l4IQPeWeKIsOBd-X2AK6l8UYforaMXVE9koRqMQoSGE7KDRWRLBOer0pHYTwbCAz)*.* ### Nobody wants to come to Elon Musk's (political) party URL: https://utahpolitics.news/nobody-wants-to-come-to-elon-musk-party/ Last updated: 2025-07-17T15:36:57.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **26** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **110** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **474** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,209** ### Almost nobody wants to join Elon Musk's political party Americans seem to be open to joining a third political party, but not if it's one formed by Elon Musk. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Newsmax CEO donated $25K to Utah Republican who complains about 'biased media' URL: https://utahpolitics.news/big-money-blackstone-and-baseball-utahs-congressional-cash-dashboard/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T16:50:34.000Z The next time you hear Congressman Burgess Owens [complain about a biased “liberal media,"](https://x.com/BurgessOwens/status/1918017647687434382?ref=utahpolitics.news) consider this. The latest campaign financial disclosures show a hefty $25,000 donation from Chris Ruddy, the CEO of right-wing news organization Newsmax, landing in the Utah Republican's coffers. The contribution, detailed in Federal Election Commission disclosures, flowed through Owens' joint fundraising committee, which distributes funds between his campaign, his "Dream Big" leadership PAC, and House Republicans' campaign apparatus. Owens has the least money in the bank among the state’s congressional delegation, with just over $100,000\. Of the $177,000 his campaign raised during the last three months, 85% came from individual donors, while political action committees contributed the remaining $22,000. Some other details from the quarterly financial reports analyzed by Utah Political Watch: Rep. Blake Moore's ascension to the House Republican Caucus leadership has him amass a formidable campaign war chest of more than $2 million – the largest among Utah's congressional contingent. His latest quarterly haul topped $500,000, with contributions from political action committees slightly edging out individual donors at 51% to 49% of the total donations. Sen. Mike Lee reported $368,157 in contributions from individual donors—leading the Utah pack—while maintaining the second-largest cash reserve at $935,000\. Political action committees funneled an additional $208,000 his way, with the lion's share—$185,000—streaming into his self-referential Lead, Encourage, Elect (LEE) leadership PAC. Lee pulled in big-dollar donations from Blackstone Group CEO Stephen Schwarzman ($10,500) and Palantir Technologies CTO Shyam Sankar ($7,000). Schwartzman also donated $12,000 to Lee’s joint fundraising committee that splits donations between Lee’s campaign, his leadership PAC, the Utah Republican Party, and the campaign arm for Senate Republicans. Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz donated $10,000 to freshman Rep. Mike Kennedy’s “victory fund” that disseminates funds between his campaign, his “Heal America” leadership PAC, and the Utah GOP. Kennedy's quarterly fundraising totaled $216,000—with individual donors accounting for nearly two-thirds at $123,000—leaving him with $236,000 in reserve. Kennedy still has more than $600,000 of unpaid personal loans he made to his 2024 congressional campaign and his ill-fated 2018 Senate primary joust with Mitt Romney. FEC rules allow for those loans to be repaid using campaign funds, a move Kennedy has not made yet. Rep. Blake Moore made personal loans to his 2020 campaign for Congress totaling more than $288,000, which he repaid using campaign donations. In what could be a good omen for Utah’s dreams of landing a Major League Baseball franchise, the political action committee connected to the MLB Commissioner made campaign contributions to Sen. Mike Lee and Blake Moore. Moore’s campaign received $2,500, while Lee’s leadership PAC received $5,000. ### *Got a news tip to share? Email* [*tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news*](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) *or* [*message me securely on Signal*](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news#eu/l4IQPeWeKIsOBd-X2AK6l8UYforaMXVE9koRqMQoSGE7KDRWRLBOer0pHYTwbCAz)*.* ### Did the DOJ drop fake vaccine card prosecution because of political pressure? URL: https://utahpolitics.news/did-the-doj-drop-fake-vaccine-card-prosecution-because-of-political-pressure/ Last updated: 2025-07-16T13:27:29.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **28** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **112** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **476** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,211** **Did politics end the federal prosecution of a Utah doctor?** The abrupt decision last week by Attorney General Pam Bondi to drop the charges against a Utah plastic surgeon accused of peddling counterfeit COVID vaccination cards contradicted a decision by her own group investigating the “weaponization” of government. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Elon Musk breaks up with Mike Lee URL: https://utahpolitics.news/elon-musk-breaks-up-with-mike-lee/ Last updated: 2025-07-15T16:37:54.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **298** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **112** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **476** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,211** ### **Elon Musk breaks up with Sen. Mike Lee** It appears the bromance between billionaire Elon Musk and Sen. Mike Lee is over. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Survey suggests expelling immigrants would solve traffic, education woes URL: https://utahpolitics.news/survey-suggests-expelling-immigrants-would-solve-traffic-education-woes/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T20:04:31.000Z Could expelling millions of immigrants from American soil be the solution to overcrowded classrooms and gridlocked highways? Those curious arguments are being tested in a public opinion poll circulating in Utah. A reader passed along screenshots from a mysterious online survey, delivered through a link sent via text message. The survey tested public perception perception of the “big, beautiful bill” passed by Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump earlier this month and asked which party recipients planned to support in the 2026 midterm elections. It also contained a trio of questions about the purported benefits of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. In addition to easing traffic and lowering class sizes, the survey suggested mass deportations could foster community by creating more homogeneous neighborhoods. "Now you are going to read several statements that have been made about deporting illegal immigrants from this country,” the header of that section reads. “After you read each, please indicate whether that statement would make you support or oppose deporting illegal immigrants from this country.” Those three statements are - Deporting illegal immigrants will reduce class sizes in public school. - Deporting illegal immigrants will help create communities where people know each other and share similar backgrounds and values. - Deporting illegal immigrants will reduce traffic congestion. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/07/2025.07.13-Immigration-Poll-01.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/07/2025.07.13-Immigration-Poll-02.png) Utah Political Watch was unable to determine the organization was responsible for the poll. Some of the anti-immigrant messaging from the survey has already begun to pop up at the highest levels of the Trump White House. I[n a recent interview with Fox News’ Jesse Waters](https://www.foxnews.com/video/6375347114112?ref=utahpolitics.news), White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller used the traffic and public school issues as a way to demonize immigrants. “Why is it that Democrats are so insistent that unlimited numbers of illegals from countries that are incapable of managing their own affairs come here? Countries like Somalia, countries like Haiti, countries that have no history of successful self-government. They (Democrats) want unlimited numbers of illegals and refugees from those countries to come here,” Miller said. “What has it done to our schools? What has it done to our hospitals? What has it done to just traffic in our cities?” ### *Got a news tip to share? Email* [*tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news*](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) *or* [*message me securely on Signal*](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news&utm%5Fcampaign=utah-house-speaker-rallies-behind-doctor-accused-in-fraudulent-covid-vaccine-card-scheme&utm%5Fmedium=referral&utm%5Fsource=www.utahpoliticalwatch.news#eu/l4IQPeWeKIsOBd-X2AK6l8UYforaMXVE9koRqMQoSGE7KDRWRLBOer0pHYTwbCAz)*.* ### Will Utah's tourism industry feel the chill from Canadian cold front? URL: https://utahpolitics.news/will-utahs-tourism-industry-feel-the-chill-from-canadian-cold-front/ Last updated: 2025-07-15T16:28:23.000Z ### ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **29** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **113** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **477** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,212** ### **What I’m thinking about this morning...** Canadians account for [just over a quarter](https://www.ksl.com/article/51329297/canadian-travel-to-utah-us-is-down--and-its-not-just-because-of-policy-new-survey-finds?ref=utahpolitics.news) of Utah’s [$873 million tourist industry](https://www.fox13now.com/news/fox-13-investigates/this-metric-indicates-fewer-foreigners-visiting-utah?ref=utahpolitics.news). You have to wonder how much the dramatic drop in the number of Canadian visitors to the U.S. will be felt in the Beehive State. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Justice Department drops case against Utah doctor accused of distributing fake COVID vaccine cards URL: https://utahpolitics.news/justice-department-drops-case-against-utah-doctor-accused-of-distributing-fake-covid-vaccine-cards/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T17:44:37.000Z Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on Saturday that the Justice Department was dismissing the charges against a Sandy plastic surgeon who was on trial for allegedly issuing fake vaccine cards and destroying more than $28,000 in COVID vaccines. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on Saturday that the Justice Department was dismissing the charges against a Sandy plastic surgeon who was on trial for allegedly issuing fake vaccine cards and destroying more than $28,000 in COVID vaccines. In 2023 the Justice Department indicted Dr. Michael Kirk Moore and three accomplices, alleging that they destroyed the COVID vaccines by squirting syringes down the drain and orchestrating a scheme to falsify vaccine cards in exchange for a $50 cash payment or donations to a charitable organization. Prosecutors also claimed that Moore dispensed saline shots to minors if the parents requested it, so children believed they had been given a dose of the COVID vaccine. > At my direction [@TheJusticeDept](https://twitter.com/TheJusticeDept?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) has dismissed charges against Dr. Kirk Moore. > > Dr. Moore gave his patients a choice when the federal government refused to do so. He did not deserve the years in prison he was facing. It ends today. > > — Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) [July 12, 2025](https://twitter.com/AGPamBondi/status/1944081479459369090?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) “Dr. Moore gave his patients a choice when the federal government refused to do so. He did not deserve the years in prison he was facing. It ends today,” Bondi wrote. > I’d also like to thank [@SenMikeLee](https://twitter.com/SenMikeLee?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) who has been a champion for advocating to end the weaponization of government, including to Dr. Moore. > > — Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) [July 12, 2025](https://twitter.com/AGPamBondi/status/1944092335056228779?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) Bondi also thanked Utah Sen. Mike Lee for being “a champion for advocating to end the weaponization of government, including to Dr. Moore.” In a later post, [Bondi credited Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene](https://x.com/AGPamBondi/status/1944085438303514912?ref=utahpolitics.news) for bringing the case to her attention. Moore and his lawyers contended the vaccine requirements implemented by the CDC under the Biden administration were unconstitutional. The case had become a rallying cry for some Utah Republicans - most notably House Speaker Mike Schultz, who [took part in a rally](https://utahpolitics.news/p/utah-house-speaker-rallies-behind-doctor-accused-in-fraudulent-covid-vaccine-card-scheme) to show solidarity with Moore before the start of his trial. ### *Got a news tip to share? Email* [*tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news*](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) *or* [*message me securely on Signal*](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news#eu/l4IQPeWeKIsOBd-X2AK6l8UYforaMXVE9koRqMQoSGE7KDRWRLBOer0pHYTwbCAz)*.* ### Mike Lee can't stop...won't stop URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/podcast-mike-lee-cant-stop-wont-stop-like-comment/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T20:13:40.000Z Sen. Mike Lee's social media is causing some [heartburn for top leaders of the LDS Church](https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/07/11/mike-lee-utah-mormon-church-profile-00437296?ref=utahpolitics.news), but don't expect that will make him tone things down. [Lack of housing in the West is a serious problem](https://www.propublica.org/article/utah-mike-lee-public-lands-sell-off?ref=utahpolitics.news), but policymakers will have to come up with a solution that does more than lean on ideology. Utah House Speaker [Mike Schultz rallies support for a Utah doctor](https://utahpolitics.news/p/utah-house-speaker-rallies-behind-doctor-accused-in-fraudulent-covid-vaccine-card-scheme) who federal prosecutors allege provided hundreds of fake vaccine cards during the COVID pandemic. It's just the latest example of top leaders allying themselves with extreme views. The [Planned Parenthood Association of Utah joined a lawsuit](https://utahpolitics.news/p/planned-parenthood-of-utah-joins-lawsuit-challenging-congressional-effort-to-defund-the-organization) challenging a provision in the massive tax cuts and spending bill passed by Congress that would effectively defund the organization. Shireen Ghorbani, interim president of Planned Parenthood of Utah, joins the show to talk about the lawsuit. Listen below [or at this link](https://special-session.transistor.fm/29?ref=utahpolitics.news). [Subscribe to the show here](https://share.transistor.fm/s/e7d5ed23?ref=utahpolitics.news). If you'd like to sponsor this podcast, email [schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news](mailto:schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news) Don't forget to [subscribe to the podcast](https://specialsession.podbean.com/?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news) and leave a rating and review to help others discover the show. ### More evidence that non-citizens aren't voting in U.S. elections URL: https://utahpolitics.news/more-evidence-that-non-citizens-arent-voting-in-u-s-elections/ Last updated: 2025-07-15T16:16:13.000Z ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **32** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **116** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **480** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,215** ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **32** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **116** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **480** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,215** ## What I’m thinking about this morning… Despite the panic from conservatives about non-citizens voting in elections, there’s no evidence that it’s actually happening. The latest example is Wyoming. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### A cartographic coup d'etat in Texas URL: https://utahpolitics.news/a-cartographic-coup-detat-in-texas/ Last updated: 2025-07-15T16:14:18.000Z ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **33** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **117** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **481** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,216** ### What I’m thinking about this morning… While Utah languishes in a seemingly interminable wait for Third District Judge Dianna Gibson's gerrymandering verdict, it’s worth paying attention to what’s happening in Texas. ## What I’m thinking about this morning… While Utah languishes in a seemingly interminable wait for Third District Judge Dianna Gibson's gerrymandering verdict, it’s worth paying attention to what’s happening in Texas. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Utah Sen. Mike Lee floats new theory about Jeffrey Epstein - He was a government asset URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-sen-mike-lee-floats-new-theory-about-jeffrey-epstein-he-was-a-government-asset/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T16:52:04.000Z Utah Sen. Mike Lee, no stranger to spreading baseless conspiracy theories, has started to claim that accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein was some sort of government asset. President Donald Trump’s MAGA supporters erupted with outrage this week after the [Justice Department and FBI released a memo](https://www.axios.com/2025/07/07/jeffrey-epstein-suicide-client-list-trump-administration?ref=utahpolitics.news) revealing that there was no evidence that Epstein did not keep a long-rumored "client list" and concluding that that he did not commit suicide. In February, Lee caterwauled alongside the chorus of Republican voices demanding that the Justice Department, under the leadership of Attorney General Pam Bondi, release documents about Epstein. Now that the administration has changed its tune about Epstein, Lee has quickly changed his story - suggesting that Epstein was somehow a government “asset.” On [Thursday’s Guy Benson Show](https://radio.foxnews.com/2025/07/09/sen-mike-lee-jeffery-epstein/?ref=utahpolitics.news), Lee was asked if he had an explanation for the dramatically changed story about the Epstein files. “It seems to almost to be an about face, almost a complete reversal from where they had been in the past. I don’t know how to explain this. I don’t know what’s going on,” Lee said. Instead of dwelling on why the story changed so dramatically in a span of a few months, Lee immediately offered a more exotic explanation - that Epstein’s alleged trafficking was part of a government operation. “One question that I have had and that many people have speculated about, is this the sort of thing that happens when somebody has been running corporate operations for the government,” Lee said before showing some unexpected self-awareness. “I’m just stabbing in the dark, looking for any plausible explanation for why there would be this much hype followed by this little action.” If this moment of self-reflection gave him pause, it was short lived. As of Thursday evening, Lee had posted several times on social media about his theory that Epstein's alleged activities were condoned by the government. ### *Got a news tip to share? Email* [*tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news*](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) *or* [*message me securely on Signal*](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news#eu/l4IQPeWeKIsOBd-X2AK6l8UYforaMXVE9koRqMQoSGE7KDRWRLBOer0pHYTwbCAz)*.* ### The real-world problem with Sen. Mike Lee's plan to sell off public lands URL: https://utahpolitics.news/the-real-world-problem-with-sen-mike-lees-plan-to-sell-off-public-lands/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:51:56.000Z ## Wednesday, July 9, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **34** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **118** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **482** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,217** ### What I'm thinking about this morning... A remarkable piece of [reporting from ProPublica](https://www.propublica.org/article/utah-mike-lee-public-lands-sell-off?ref=utahpolitics.news) demolishes on Sen. Mike Lee’s quixotic plan of selling off millions of acres of public lands as a panacea for the housing crisis. The problem for Lee is that past efforts to sell public land to create affordable housing haven’t worked very well. In Nevada, a 1998 law allows for cities to buy BLM land at $100 per acre if it’s to be used for affordable housing. The result? A mere 850 affordable housing units on 30 acres of land. That same law allows for the sale of public lands in the Las Vegas Valley at market rates, which has led to the sale of more than 17,000 acres at an average cost of $200,000 per acre. Lee’s land-sale provision, stripped from the massive GOP tax cuts and spending bill before it passed the Senate, would have permitted developers to nominate federal lands for sale at market rate only. There would have been no incentive for developers to choose to build affordable housing over pursuing the higher profit margin that comes with high-end housing. As the article points out, there’s no “silver bullet” solution to the housing crisis - but that’s not stopping policymakers like Lee from trying to find it. ## Wednesday morning's headlines: --- ### Utah and the West Sen. John Curtis calls for briefing from White House after weapons pause to Ukraine. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/07/08/curtis-wants-briefing-on-ukraine-shipments/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Sen. Mike Lee claims judicial abuse as judge pauses defunding of Planned Parenthood. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/07/08/mike-lee-planned-parenthood-defund/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] "No Kings" shooting probe isn't over, but police say that's not unusual in homicide cases. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/07/09/slc-no-kings-shooting-update/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Trump administration approves another energy project in Utah with expansion of oil train facility. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/07/08/utah-oil-facilty-expansion-approved-blm/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] For years, millions in taxpayer funds flowed to a private education group. Now a judge says the public has a right to see the records. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/education/2025/07/09/93-years-this-nonprofit-advised/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] He thought Lake Powell gas prices were too high. He was right. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/fox-13-investigates/he-thought-lake-powell-gas-prices-were-too-high-he-was-right?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah home prices slowed in 2024 – but housing market still ranks among nation's most expensive. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/07/09/utah-housing-market-ranks-among-most-expensive/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### National Congress has just 83 days to pass 12 appropriations bills before the Sept. 30 deadline to fund the government. Lawmakers will be in session for just 22 of them. \[[Punchbowl News](https://punchbowl.news/archive/7925-am/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did not inform the White House before he authorized a pause on weapons shipments to Ukraine last week. \[[CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/08/politics/hegseth-did-not-inform-white-house-ukraine-weapons-pause?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Donald Trump threatened to seize control of New York City is "communist" Zohran Mamdani is elected mayor. \[[New York Post](https://nypost.com/2025/07/08/us-news/trump-threatens-federal-takeover-of-nyc-if-communist-mamdani-wins-mayoral-race/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The FBI has reportedly launched criminal investigations of former CIA Director John Brennan and former FBI Director James Comey for potential wrongdoing related to the Trump-Russia investigation. \[[Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/john-brennan-james-comey-under-criminal-investigation-doj-sources?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Several Republican senators say they had no idea that a provision limiting tax deductions for gambling losses was included in the massive tax cuts and spending bill signed into law by President Trump. \[[Huffington Post](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/gambling-tax-deduction-trump-bill%5Fn%5F686dabede4b07e11dd9982a8?ncid=APPLENEWS00001&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] California rejects the Trump administration's demand that they ban transgender athletes. \[[Ed Source](https://edsource.org/updates/california-rejects-trump-administration-demand-to-ban-transgender-athletes?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Sen. Ted Cruz's office said he would return to Texas from a vacation in Europe "as fast as humanly possible" when flooding hit the state, killing more than 100 people. Cruz was spotted sightseeing at the Parthenon in Greece the day after the natural disaster hit. \[[Daily Beast](https://www.thedailybeast.com/ted-cruz-was-vacationing-in-europe-as-emergency-crews-desperately-searched-for-texas-flood-survivors/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### International President Trump is considering sending another Patriot air-defense system to Ukraine. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/world/russia/trump-says-putins-assurances-on-ukraine-meaningless-af8fc373?mod=hp%5Flead%5Fpos1&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Economy President Trump says the U.S. will impose a 50% tariff on copper imports. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/trump-says-he-will-impose-50-tariff-copper-imports-tuesday-2025-07-08/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump said Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell should "resign immediately" if allegations that he misled Congress over renovations to the Federal Reserve's headquarters are true. \[[Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-08/trump-says-powell-should-resign-immediately-if-congress-misled?srnd=undefined&sref=nXmOg68r&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] CEOs are extremely confident about business conditions and the U.S. economy over the coming year. \[[Chief Executive](https://chiefexecutive.net/ceo-optimism-nears-2025-high-in-july-poll/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Elon Musk is preparing to sell about $1 billion worth of shares in SpaceX, which would give the company a valuation of $400 billion. \[[Financial Times](https://www.ft.com/content/c4a7eb14-1f3e-4b14-8e04-abe52c317dd6?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Environment It's already shaping up to be a brutal fire season in California. \[[Los Angeles Times](https://link.latimes.com/view/65329feb25b3640666b01d18o5q24.3cl1/dcada2be?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Foreign, feral honeybees are crowding out native bee species in southern California. \[[Los Angeles Times](https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2025-07-08/foreign-bees-crowding-out-native-species-california?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Media President Trump's Truth Social media platform inked a deal to stream content from conservative network Newsmax. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/07/09/trump-truth-social-newsmax-streaming-deal/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Endorsing from the pulpit URL: https://utahpolitics.news/endorsing-from-the-pulpit/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:51:50.000Z ## Tuesday, July 8, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **35** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **119** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **483** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,218** ### What I'm thinking about this morning... In Utah’s theopolitical landscape, it’s big news when the Church of Jesus Chris of Latter-day Saints wades into the political arena. That's why [Monday's decision from the IRS](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/07/us/politics/irs-churches-politics-endorse-candidates.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) that churches and other houses of worship can endorse political candidates. But I am not convinced that's where this will have the biggest impact in Utah. Church leaders have gone out of their way to remain politically neutral. For example, in 2023, the Church sent a letter to local congregations warning of the “threat to democracy” posed by straight-ticket voting. There are other, smaller churches in Utah that have no qualms about being nakedly political - and the IRS decision will hypercharge that. Take Faith Baptist in Layton, for example. At a recent meeting of the Davis County Conservative groups, Pastor Chuck Beickel told attendees that they specifically push their members to become Republican Party delegates. “I didn’t understand how our own government worked here until I sat down with Trevor Lee a few years ago. At that time, we had one delegate. And since then, we’ve taught our church how to run for delegate. And right now, I think we have 30 delegates in our church,” Beickel said. During his talk, Beickel called SB54, which created the signature-gathering path to the ballot “unconstitutional,” and attacked Gov. Spencer Cox for using that method to win the Republican nomination over Phil Lyman, who just happened to be the special guest at that meeting. “You don’t just sit by and violate the Constitution and act like nothing happened. It needs to be exposed. God’s gonna use some of you to help that happen.” Once scarcely needs oracular powers to divine that Cox would have found himself shunned by their endorsement process in 2024. --- ## Tuesday morning's headlines: --- ### Utah and the West: Utah House Speaker rallies behind doctor accused in fraudulent COVID vaccine card scheme. \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-house-speaker-rallies-behind-doctor-accused-in-fraudulent-covid-vaccine-card-scheme/)\] Utah Sen. Mike Lee says selling off public lands will solve the west's housing crisis. Past sales show otherwise. \[[ProPublica](https://www.propublica.org/article/utah-mike-lee-public-lands-sell-off?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Planned Parenthood of Utah joins lawsuit challenging congressional effort to "defund" the organization. \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/planned-parenthood-of-utah-joins-legal-battle-over-congressional-funding-cut/)\] Major SNAP changes worry anti-hunger advocates. \[[KSL](https://ksltv.com/politics-elections/major-snap-changes-worry-utah-anti-hunger-advocates/794221/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Ralph Menzies' attorneys say death row inmate's dementia has worsened. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/07/07/ralph-menzies-execution-dementia-has-worsened/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Coyotes remain as wily as ever, even as Utah has paid millions in bounties. \[[KUER](https://www.kuer.org/science-environment/2025-07-07/coyotes-remain-as-wily-as-ever-even-as-utah-has-paid-millions-in-bounties?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### National The IRS says churches can endorse candidates from the pulpit. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/07/us/politics/irs-churches-politics-endorse-candidates.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Someone impersonating Secretary of State Marco Rubio contacted foreign officials, a U.S. governor and a member of Congress using AI to mimic Rubio's voice and writing style. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/07/08/marco-rubio-ai-imposter-signal/?location=alert&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] 60% of Americans believe President Donald Trump's tariffs will have a negative impact on the economy. \[[Marist Poll](https://maristpoll.marist.edu/polls/tariffs-signal-a-frugal-summer-ahead-july-2025/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Senate GOP's top super PAC more than doubled its fundraising record - pulling in $85 million during the first half of 2025\. \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/07/08/thune-senate-fundraising-super-pac-trump?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The TSA will no longer require passengers to remove their shoes while going through airport security. \[[ABC News](https://abcnews.go.com/US/tsa-end-shoes-off-policy-airport-security-screening/story?id=123556295&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Alex Jones breaks down in tears over the Justice Department's announcement that the fabled Jeffrey Epstein client list does not exist. \[[X](https://x.com/RealAlexJones/status/1942208219532628461?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### International President Trump said Monday the U.S. will send more weapons to Ukraine. The pronouncement comes just days after ordering a pause in weapons deliveries. \[[Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-drone-attacks-c7a1bf1a28ecd2853c037f1864ef7edc?taid=686c61da7139ca00015653b2&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump threatened tariffs between 25 percent and 40 percent on imports from 14 countries. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/07/07/trump-trade-deals-tariffs/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nominated President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. \[[Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/netanyahu-surprises-trump-formal-nobel-peace-prize-nomination-historic-white-house-meeting?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Healthcare The health of children in the U.S. has deteriorated over the past 17 years. Children today are more likely to have obesity, chronic diseases and mental health issues according to a new study. \[[Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/children-health-maha-rfk-jr-jama-d920bb5421bfdc2c83d4356986e9ade7?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Utah House Speaker rallies behind doctor accused in fraudulent COVID vaccine card scheme URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-house-speaker-rallies-behind-doctor-accused-in-fraudulent-covid-vaccine-card-scheme/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T17:45:06.000Z Utah Republican House Speaker Mike Schultz stood arm-in-arm Monday with Dr. Michael Kirk Moore on the steps of Salt Lake City's federal courthouse, where the Utah plastic surgeon faced charges of destroying COVID-19 vaccines and orchestrating a fake vaccination card scheme. [Federal prosecutors allege Moore and three associates](https://www.justice.gov/usao-ut/pr/utah-doctor-and-co-defendants-charged-running-covid-19-vaccine-scheme-defraud-government?ref=utahpolitics.news) destroyed $28,000 worth of COVID vaccines by squirting syringes into sink drains. The group also allegedly handed out more than 1,900 fraudulent vaccination cards for either $50 cash or donations to a charitable organization they operated. Moore’s trial was set to begin Monday morning at the federal courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City. Speaking to a small group of supporters gathered outside the courthouse where Moore’s trial was set to begin, Schultz railed against restrictions imposed by the government during the COVID-pandemic. “We were treated like second-class citizens if we didn’t get the shot, we didn’t get the vaccine,” Schultz said. “You had to have a vaccine passport to walk down the streets and go into a shot, to go to a Jazz game, to go to a restaurant. That was unbelievable. It was wrong.” “Thank you for supporting us. Now it’s time to band together and support Dr. Moore,” Schultz declared before Moore entered the courthouse. Two other Republican members of the Utah House - Rep. Karianne Lisonbee and Rep. Trevor Lee - also showed up to support Moore on Monday morning. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-07-at-15.57.57.png) Left to right - Utah Reps. Karianne Lisonbee, Trevor Lee and House Speaker Mike Schultz at a rally supporting Dr. Michael Moore on July 7, 2025 (screengrab via YouTube) Schultz did not respond to questions from Utah Political Watch about his support for Moore. The House Speaker's show of support aligns with his enthusiastic embrace of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s agenda. Last month, Kennedy [named several vaccine skeptics to a vaccine policy advisory committee](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/rfk-jr-names-8-vaccine-panel-replacements-including-a-critic-of-covid-vaccines?ref=utahpolitics.news), including Dr. Robert Malone, who has promoted baseless conspiracies about the COVID vaccine. In May, Schultz traveled to Washington, D.C. for the release of a report from Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” commission. [That report was widely criticized](https://utahpolitics.news/landmark-health-report-backed-by-utah-leaders-cites-nonexistent-research/) for basing its conclusions on fabricated research and scientific evidence that does not exist. Joining Schultz on the Washington trip was freshman Rep. Kristin Chevrier, a longtime anti-vaccine activist who has no medical or healthcare background. Chevrier founded the organization Vaccine Freedom Utah, which has been renamed as Your Health Freedom. One of the organizers of Monday’s rally was former Republican congressional candidate Jason Preston, who now hosts a podcast that features far-right conspiratorial content. After thanking Schultz and the other members of the Legislature for attending, Preston launched into a religious themed treatise about a tyrannical and corrupt government. “We have a government that has become run by secret combinations. I firmly believe that,” Preston said, a reference to [clandestine societies in the Book of Mormon](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/gs/secret-combinations?lang=eng&ref=utahpolitics.news) “bound together by oaths to carry out the evil purposes of the group.” In 2022, Preston hired several people with [connections to the far-right Proud Boys militia](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2022/04/05/roger-stone-hired-by-utah/?ref=utahpolitics.news) to run his congressional campaign. He also [hired Republican political provocateur Roger Stone](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2022/04/15/roger-stone-confirms-hes/?ref=utahpolitics.news) as a “strategic advisor.” Preston was knocked out of the Republican nomination race after failing to advance out of the GOP convention. ### *Got a news tip to share? Email* [*tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news*](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) *or* [*message me securely on Signal*](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news#eu/l4IQPeWeKIsOBd-X2AK6l8UYforaMXVE9koRqMQoSGE7KDRWRLBOer0pHYTwbCAz)*.* ### Planned Parenthood of Utah joins lawsuit challenging congressional effort to 'defund' the organization URL: https://utahpolitics.news/planned-parenthood-of-utah-joins-legal-battle-over-congressional-funding-cut/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T16:52:15.000Z The [Planned Parenthood Association of Utah](https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-utah?ref=utahpolitics.news) has joined forces with other healthcare providers to contest what they call an unconstitutional attempt to strip their funding. The controversy centers on a provision that would effectively "defund" the organization, despite its crucial role in providing healthcare to low-income communities. [The lawsuit](https://www.plannedparenthood.org/uploads/filer%5Fpublic/11/57/1157c2e7-7500-4f7a-beb1-d2f16d3760ff/1-complaint%5F07072025.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news), filed Monday morning in the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts, argues that [a provision in the reconciliation bill ](https://time.com/7299281/big-beautiful-bill-planned-parenthood-funding-trump-supreme-court/?ref=utahpolitics.news)that blocks healthcare providers that offer abortions from receiving Medicaid funding for any other services for one year is unconstitutional. Federal law, through the Hyde Amendment, already prohibits federal funding for abortions. Planned Parenthood bills Medicaid for non-abortion medical services, ranging from cancer screenings to reproductive health services. The organization also receives separate federal funding through various grants and programs for public health initiatives. Planned Parenthood has warned the provision puts nearly 200 health centers at risk of closing, which would lead to 1.1 million patients in 24 states losing access to healthcare. Ninety percent of those closures would be in states where abortion is legal. According to [a study from KFF](https://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/the-impact-of-medicaid-and-title-x-on-planned-parenthood/?ref=utahpolitics.news), a non-partisan health policy organization, Planned Parenthood serves as one of the largest providers of family planning services to low-income Americans. In 2021, one in 10 Medicaid recipients relied on Planned Parenthood for family planning services. In a press release announcing the lawsuit, Shireen Ghorbani, interim president of the Planned Parenthood Association of Utah, voiced fierce opposition to the measure. “As the Trump administration guts our public health care system, we know millions will suffer and struggle to get care. We will not tolerate these attacks. For over 55 years, we have proudly cared for generations of Utahns, and we will always find ways to meet the health care needs of our communities. Here in Utah, we are used to politicians trying to strip away our rights for political gain. We haven’t backed down before, and we won’t now,” Ghorbani said. According to the court filing, Planned Parenthood Association of Utah provided healthcare to nearly 2,100 patients enrolled in Medicaid in 2024\. In 2023, PPAU received just over $700,000 in Medicaid reimbursements. The congressional action follows a Supreme Court ruling that makes it easier for individual states to [exclude Planned Parenthood from Medicaid programs](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/26/us/supreme-court-planned-parenthood.html?ref=utahpolitics.news). ### *Got a news tip to share? Email* [*tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news*](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) *or* [*message me securely on Signal*](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news#eu/l4IQPeWeKIsOBd-X2AK6l8UYforaMXVE9koRqMQoSGE7KDRWRLBOer0pHYTwbCAz)*.* ### Musk's political deja vu URL: https://utahpolitics.news/musks-political-deja-vu/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:51:45.000Z ## Monday, July 7, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **36** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **120** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **484** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,219** ### What I'm thinking about this morning... Reboots are commonplace, even in politics.…A wealthy high-tech mogul, upset with elected officials who they feel are ignoring important issues, forms a new political party. No, not Elon Musk, who [announced this weekend](https://www.npr.org/2025/07/06/g-s1-76292/musk-political-party-america?ref=utahpolitics.news) he’s forming the “America Party.” > By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it! > > When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy. > > Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom. [https://t.co/9K8AD04QQN](https://t.co/9K8AD04QQN?ref=utahpolitics.news) > > — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) [July 5, 2025](https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1941584569523732930?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) I'm thinking of Ross Perot, who founded the Reform Party in 1995. Musk's America Party emerges from his fierce opposition to the massive GOP tax cut and spending bill, with threats to bankroll candidates challenging Republicans who supported the legislation. Sound familiar? Nearly three decades ago, Perot launched his political venture with similar frustrations about Washington's deaf ears to public concerns. Former Colorado Governor Richard Lamm ran for the party’s presidential nomination after he was assured Perot had no intention of entering the race. But, Perot’s ego wouldn’t let him step aside. He eventually defeated Lamm for the party nomination. Although he’s ineligible to be president, the America Party will likely revolve around Musk and his mercurial personality — if it ever gets off the ground, that is. Musk has a long history of making big promises, then [not following through](https://www.wired.com/story/theres-a-very-simple-pattern-to-elon-musks-broken-promises/?ref=utahpolitics.news). Tesla owners are still waiting for him to deliver on his 2015 prediction of fully self-driving cars “within three years.” Musk’s massive wealth will help — after all, money is the lifeblood of the American political system. The challenge for Musk is attracting support for the America party. He’s become one of the most unpopular public figures in America. 55% of Americans hold an unfavorable view of him, while just 37% view him favorably. ## Here's what you need to know for Monday morning: --- ### UTAH AND THE WEST Valar Atomics: A look at the tech bros behind the company hoping to take Utah nuclear. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/07/07/valar-atomics-looking-to-develop-nuclear-energy-in-utah/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah is the nation's top performer but voters deeply divided about the U.S. economy. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/utah/2025/07/06/us-utah-economy-poll-economic-growth-jobs-unemployment-gdp-housing-inflation/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] A mine is coming to Sevier Dry Lake. Here's what it could mean for Utah's dust pollution. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2025/06/27/mine-is-coming-sevier-dry-lake/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] --- ### NATIONAL President Donald Trump claims the massive tax cut and spending bill is the "single most popular bill ever signed." Poll after poll has found the bill is wildly unpopular. \[[CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/04/politics/fact-check-trump-bill-unpopular?bt%5Fee=B%2FrPZXxCLe0y5aEJgj5U3JV%2FWANYqF8KtQzd%2FB2ASwVLuL6inOOc9VZj%2FA2KWCYl&bt%5Fts=1751893190037&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The federal workforce shrank by just 1% over the first few months of President Trump's second term, despite the efforts of DOGE. \[[Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/disappointing-doge-federal-workforce-shrinking-just-1-shows-bureaucracys-entrenchment-experts-say?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Columbia University is in talks with the Trump administration to strike a deal to restore federal funding. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/us-news/education/columbia-federal-funding-negotiations-deal-trump-consent-decree-88427d9a?mod=hp%5Flead%5Fpos4&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Anthony Scaramucci wants "to discuss" new party with Musk, Mark Cuban offers ballot access aid. \[[Benzinga](https://www.benzinga.com/news/politics/25/07/46266046/anthony-scaramucci-wants-to-discuss-new-party-with-musk-mark-cuban-offers-ballot-access-aid?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] --- ### INTERNATIONAL OPEC members agreed to increase their output of crude oil by 548,000 barrels per day. \[[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/05/opec-members-agree-larger-than-expected-oil-production-hike-in-august.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] --- ### ECONOMY President Trump is set to announce that his long-threatened tariffs will kick in on Aug. 1\. \[[Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-07/trump-sets-aug-1-start-for-tariffs-ahead-of-wednesday-deadline?taid=686ba619f62d0a000134cb3d&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump's tariffs could increase costs for U.S. companies by more than $80 billion. \[[Semafor](https://www.semafor.com/article/07/03/2025/jpmorganchase-analysis-projects-823b-tariff-hit-to-us-firms?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] --- ### ENVIRONMENT Drought is pushing tens of millions of people to the edge of starvation. \[[Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jul/02/droughts-worldwide-pushing-tens-millions-starvation-report?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] --- ### HEALTH The U.S. has reached the highest number of annual measles cases in 33 years. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/07/07/measles-cases-hit-record/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] --- ### MEDIA Not only is Paramount paying $16 million to settle President Trump's lawsuit over a 60 Minutes interview, but Trump is claiming the network will air another $16 million worth of free advertising to promote his causes. \[[Variety](https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/trump-60-minutes-lawsuit-settlement-advertising-35-million-paramount-psa-1236447353/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### GOP megabill up for final passage URL: https://utahpolitics.news/gop-megabill-up-for-final-passage/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:51:41.000Z ## Thursday, July 3, 2025 *Programming note: We'll be off Friday for Independence Day. This newsletter will return to your inboxes on Monday morning.* ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **40** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **124** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **488** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,223** ### Trouble in paradise? > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLoKXMTxgns/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Bryan Schott (@schotthappens)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLoKXMTxgns/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Thursday morning: ### UTAH AND THE WEST A woman accused former Utah higher education commissioner Dave Woolstenhulme of inappropriately touching her during an event at Utah State University. Wolstenhulme abruptly resigned from his post in 2023\. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/education/2025/07/03/utahs-former-higher-ed-boss-was/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] --- Utah Sen. John Curtis plays key role in preserving green energy policies in massive tax bill. \[[KSL](https://kslnewsradio.com/elections-politics-government/john-curtis-green-energy-policies/2226476/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] --- Utah after-school and summer programs blindsided by federal funding freeze. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/07/03/utah-after-school-and-summer-programs-blindsided-by-federal-funding-freeze/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] --- A solution to the Great Salt Lake's blowing dust might lie deep beneath its surface. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2025/07/03/water-beneath-great-salt-lake/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] --- ### NATIONAL House leaders held a procedural vote on the $3.4 trillion reconciliation bill for more than a dozen hours while they worked to convince members of their own party to support the bill. In the end, all but one of the holdouts caved. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/07/02/house-vote-big-beautiful-bill-trump?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] --- President Donald Trump appears not to know what's in the "big, beautiful bill." Per [NOTUS](https://www.notus.org/congress/reconciliation-timeline-slipping-trump?ref=utahpolitics.news): > But Trump still doesn’t seem to have a firm grasp about what his signature legislative achievement does. According to three sources with direct knowledge of the comments, the president told Republicans at this meeting that there are three things Congress shouldn’t touch if they want to win elections: Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security. > “But we’re touching Medicaid in this bill,” one member responded to Trump, according to the three sources. --- The Justice Department is exploring filing criminal charges against state or local election officials if the Trump administration determines they have not taken steps to safeguard their computer systems. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/02/us/politics/justice-department-election-data.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] --- In a new court filing, Kilmar Abrego Garcia details that he was beaten and tortured in the high-security prison in El Salvador after he was deported by the Trump administration. \[[USA Today](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/07/02/kilmar-abrego-garcia-torture-cecot-el-salvador/84454286007/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] --- ### ECONOMY The U.S. economy added 147,000 jobs in June, which was much higher than analysts predicted. The unemployment rate fell to 4.1%. \[[CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/03/economy/us-jobs-report-june-final?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### A troubling water trend in Utah URL: https://utahpolitics.news/a-troubling-water-trend-in-utah/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:51:36.000Z ## Wednesday, July 2, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **41** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **125** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **489** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,224** ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Wednesday morning: ### UTAH AND THE WEST Report: Trump eyes FTC commissioner for Utah's top federal prosecutor. \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/report-trump-eyes-ftc-commissioner-for-utahs-top-federal-prosecutor/)\] Utah's Curtis, Lee vote to pass Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill" in Senate. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/politics/utahs-curtis-lee-vote-to-pass-trumps-big-beautiful-bill-in-senate?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] All of Utah's downwinders could be compensated under Senate's "big, beautiful bill." \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/07/01/downwinders-in-utah-big-beautiful-bill-congress/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah seeing water trend that typically occurs later in the summer. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51338508/utah-seeing-water-trend-that-typically-occurs-later-in-the-summer?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] 9 Utahns now have measles, Utah health department reports. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51318852/9-utahns-now-have-measles-utah-health-department-reports?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] New city plans call for hundreds of housing units, a hotel and more at Smith's Ballpark site. \[[Building Salt Lake](https://buildingsaltlake.com/new-city-plans-call-for-hundreds-of-housing-units-a-hotel-and-more-at-smiths-ballpark-site/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] USU Report shows Utah women have more mental health issues than men. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51338378/usu-report-shows-utah-women-have-more-mental-health-issues-than-men?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### NATIONAL House Speaker Mike Johnson is furiously trying to convince reluctant Republicans to pass the GOP megabill approved by the Senate on Tuesday. Several members of his caucus have threatened to sink the legislation. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/newsletters/inside-congress/2025/07/02/johnsons-48-hour-megabill-countdown-00436900?nname=inside-congress&nid=0000014f-1646-d88f-a1cf-5f46b4be0000&nrid=0000014e-f0ed-dd93-ad7f-f8edad790000&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - GOP tax bill includes a $6,000 "senior deduction." Here's who qualifies. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/07/02/senior-deduction-trump-social-security/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Without explanation, the Trump administration is not releasing $7 billion in federal education funding for after school and summer programs, students learning English and teacher training. \[[New York Times\]](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/01/us/trump-education-funds.html?unlocked%5Farticle%5Fcode=1.TU8.RehK.-U2C3eIqvrZt&ref=utahpolitics.news) ### INTERNATIONAL Iran says it is suspending cooperation with the U.N. atomic agency and blocking inspectors from determining what damage was done by U.S. airstrikes. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/iran-suspends-cooperation-with-u-n-atomic-agency-9de6eeb6?mod=hp%5Flead%5Fpos10&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Pentagon has halted shipments of some weapons and munitions to Ukraine over fears that U.S. stockpiles are becoming too low. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/01/pentagon-munitions-ukraine-halt-00436048?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The U.S. State Department revoked visas for the British punk duo Bob Vylan for their upcoming tour. The move came after the lead singer changed "Death, death to the IDF," referring to the Israeli military, at the Glastonbury music festival. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/2025/07/01/bob-vylan-kneecap-idf-glastonbury-festival/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### ECONOMY Car sales cooled in June as buyers are no longer scrambling to get in front of President Trump's tariffs. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/business/autos/car-sales-cool-in-june-as-trump-bump-fades-7da7d271?mod=hp%5Flistc%5Fpos3&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### TECHNOLOGY Amazon deployed its 1 millionth robot worker on Monday. \[[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/02/amazon-deploys-its-1-millionth-robot-in-a-sign-of-more-job-automation.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Amazon will soon have more robots than humans working in its facilities. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/tech/amazon-warehouse-robots-automation-942b814f?mod=trending%5Fnow%5Fnews%5F5&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Managers are increasingly trusting AI to make hiring and firing decisions as well as determining which employees get raises and promotions. \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/07/02/managers-chatgpt-gemini-copilot-promotion-firing?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### MEDIA Paramount has agreed to pay $16 million to end President Trump's lawsuit over edits to a "60 Minutes" interview of Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential campaign. \[[Los Angeles Times](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2025-07-01/paramount-settles-trump-cbs-60-minutes-lawsuit?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Report: Trump eyes FTC commissioner for Utah's top federal prosecutor URL: https://utahpolitics.news/report-trump-eyes-ftc-commissioner-for-utahs-top-federal-prosecutor/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T20:14:04.000Z President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to nominate Federal Trade Commissioner Melissa Holyoak, a former Utah Solicitor General, to be the U.S. Attorney for the District of Utah. [Bloomberg reports](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-13/trump-eyes-nominating-ftc-commissioner-for-utah-us-attorney?ref=utahpolitics.news) that Trump is set to nominate Holyoak to replace former U.S. Attorney Trina Higgins, [who resigned her post in February](https://www.justice.gov/usao-ut/pr/first-woman-presidentially-appointed-united-states-attorney-district-utah-departs-post?ref=utahpolitics.news). Higgins was the first woman to serve as the top federal lawyer in Utah. [Felice Viti took over as acting U.S. Attorney](https://www.justice.gov/usao-ut/meet-us-attorney?ref=utahpolitics.news) following Higgins’s departure. Holyoak, a Republican, served as Utah’s solicitor general under former Attorney General Sean Reyes from 2020 to 2024\. Former President Joe Biden nominated her to one of the Republican seats on the FTC in 2023, where she was confirmed last year. As an FTC commissioner, Holyoak opposed the agency’s rule [banning non-compete clauses](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/04/ftc-announces-rule-banning-noncompetes?ref=utahpolitics.news) in employment contracts and fought efforts aimed at making it easier for consumers to [end recurring subscriptions](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/10/federal-trade-commission-announces-final-click-cancel-rule-making-it-easier-consumers-end-recurring?ref=utahpolitics.news). Holyoak [came under some fire](https://nypost.com/2025/03/31/business/ftc-commissioner-melissa-holyoak-working-remotely-from-utah-despite-trumps-rto-order-for-us-workers-sources/?ref=utahpolitics.news) earlier this year after reports that she was working remotely from Utah, even after President Trump ordered most federal employees to return to the office full-time or be fired. ### *Got a news tip to share? Email* [*tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news*](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) *or* [*message me securely on Signal*](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news#eu/l4IQPeWeKIsOBd-X2AK6l8UYforaMXVE9koRqMQoSGE7KDRWRLBOer0pHYTwbCAz)*.* ### Utah voters like early voting URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-voters-like-early-voting/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:51:31.000Z ## Tuesday, July 1, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **42** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **126** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **490** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,225** ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Tuesday morning: ### UTAH AND THE WEST Utah voters favored casting early mail ballots in last year's presidential election. \[[KUTV](https://kutv.com/news/local/utah-voters-favored-casting-early-mail-ballots-in-last-years-presidential-election?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Weber County OKs accord with feds to help in the fight against illegal immigration. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51337850/weber-county-oks-accord-with-feds-to-help-in-the-fight-against-illegal-immigration?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah sues Snapchat, claiming app facilitates drug sales, sexual exploitation, trafficking. \[[KUTV](https://kutv.com/news/local/utah-sues-snapchat-claiming-app-facilitates-drug-sales-sexual-exploitation-trafficking?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] These five cities grew the most last year. Did your hometown get bigger? \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/06/30/see-which-utah-cities-grew-most/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Over 70% of Utah's 2025 growth was along the Wasatch Front. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/07/01/most-of-utah-2025-growth-along-the-wasatch-front/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Shots fired at Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork "based on hate," leaders say. \[[KUTV](https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/northern-utah/shots-fired-at-krishna-temple-in-spanish-fork?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### NATIONAL As of Tuesday morning, Senate Republicans were still scrambling to cobble together enough votes to pass the massive tax and domestic policy bill. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/07/01/us/trump-bill-news/25d756b1-bf8e-5ba7-91e6-f43869317fee?smid=url-share&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - The richest 20% of Americans will see an average $6,055 boost to their income under President Donald Trump's tax cut bill. \[[Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-30/one-big-beautiful-bill-gives-richest-20-an-average-6-055-tax-break?srnd=homepage-americas&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Experts warn the legislation slashes food and health benefits for the poorest Americans, the largest cut to the social safety net in several decades. \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/07/01/big-beautiful-bill-trump-senate-medicaid-snap-aca?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Polling shows Trump's "big, beautiful bill" is one of the most unpopular pieces of legislation ever. \[[X](https://x.com/atrupar/status/1939749754914644290?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The feud between President Trump and Elon Musk reignited on Monday, with Musk threatening to launch a new political party because of the massive tax and spending bill. Trump responded by taking aim at the billions of dollars in federal subsidies for Musk's companies. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/07/01/musk-trump-big-beautiful-bill/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Immigration raids are leaving billions of dollars of fruits and vegetables unharvested. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/business/immigration-raids-leave-crops-unharvested-california-farms-risk-2025-06-30/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Supreme Court will take up a case challenging the amount of money political parties can spend in coordination with individual candidates. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/06/30/supreme-court-campaign-finance-party-donor-limits/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] A record-low 58% of U.S. adults say they are "extremely" or "very" proud to be an American – down 9 points from last year. \[[Gallup](https://news.gallup.com/poll/692150/american-pride-slips-new-low.aspx?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] From the first week of May to the first week of June, non-criminal ICE detentions of immigrants spiked more than 250%. \[[CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ice-detentions-non-criminal-immigrants-violent-crime-convictions-analysis/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### INTERNATIONAL American defense firms that have relationships with Israeli companies are at an "increased risk' of being targeted by Iran-linked government hackers. \[[NextGov](https://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2025/06/iran-backed-hackers-may-target-us-defense-companies-tied-israel-agencies-warn/406404/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Iranian-linked hackers are threatening to leak more emails stolen from President Trump's inner circle of advisers. \[Reuters\] ### ECONOMY Americans hosting July 4 cookouts will have to pay more than ever because of the skyrocketing price of beef. The retail price for beef has jumped to $6.67 per pound, the highest price recorded since 2013\. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/finance/commodities-futures/your-july-4th-burgers-cost-more-than-ever-as-beef-prices-hit-record-339dfa71?mod=lead%5Ffeature%5Fbelow%5Fa%5Fpos3&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The U.S. dollar is on track to have its worth first half of the year since 1973\. \[[Financial Times](https://www.ft.com/content/59c07f63-3331-462b-b9e3-d1bcaea69fce?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### TECHNOLOGY ICE is using a new mobile phone app that can identify someone based on their fingerprints or face. \[[404 Media](https://www.404media.co/ice-is-using-a-new-facial-recognition-app-to-identify-people-leaked-emails-show/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### HEALTHCARE A new blood test could detect cancers up to 3 years before any other signs appeared. \[[Live Science](https://www.livescience.com/health/cancer/new-blood-test-detects-cancers-3-years-before-typical-diagnosis-study-hints?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Lee waves the white flag on public lands sale URL: https://utahpolitics.news/lee-waves-the-white-flag-on-public-lands-sale/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:51:26.000Z ## Monday, June 30, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **43** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **127** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **491** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,226** ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Monday morning: ### UTAH AND THE WEST Podcast: Mike Lee runs into some roadblocks. \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/podcast-mike-lee-hits-some-roadblocks/)\] Sen. Mike Lee pulled his plan to sell off millions of acres of public lands from the massive reconciliation bill. \[[Los Angeles Times](https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2025-06-29/senator-mike-lee-scraps-plan-to-sell-public-land-fierce-backlash?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Inside Utah's PR campaign to seize public lands. \[[Grist](https://grist.org/politics/inside-utahs-pr-campaign-to-seize-public-lands/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] How a Utah charter school company split a Wyoming town. \[[WyoFile](https://wyofile.com/how-a-wyoming-town-agreed-it-needed-a-charter-school-but-ended-up-fiercely-divided/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Two firefighters dead, one hospitalized, after a sniper opened fire in Idaho. \[[Coeur d'Alene Post Falls Press](https://cdapress.com/news/2025/jun/29/breaking-news-shots-fired-in-response-to-canfield-fire/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] What the end of the "roadless rule" could mean for Utah's national forests. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/06/30/roadless-rule-impact-on-utah-national-forests/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Here's how a BYU graduate's research is helping to optimize wildfire modeling. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/utah/2025/06/29/byu-graduates-research-is-helping-to-optimize-wildfire-modeling/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utahns' ability to get a leg up decreased between two generations, with a big exception. Here's what has worked in that community. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/06/30/millennial-latino-utahns-have/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### NATIONAL The Senate is set to begin voting on its version of the massive reconciliation bill that will add an estimated $3.3 trillion or more to the deficit over 10 years. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/06/29/us/trump-news?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - The bill has $1.1 trillion in health care cuts and would result in nearly 12 million Americans losing health coverage. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/29/us/politics/trump-policy-bill-health-insurance-cuts.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] House Republican leadership is discussing new ways to restrict the classified information available to all members of Congress. \[[CNN](https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/29/politics/house-republicans-classified-information?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] When she was governor of South Dakota, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem supplemented her income by secretly taking a cut of the money she raised for a nonprofit organization. \[[ProPublica](https://www.propublica.org/article/kristi-noem-political-donations-income-dark-money-dhs-ethics?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### INTERNATIONAL Intercepted communications between senior Iranian officials reveal them were discussing how the U.S. military strikes on nuclear facilities were less devastating than expected. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/06/29/trump-iran-nuclear-damage-intercepted-call/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran's nuclear capabilities suffered "severe damage" from the U.S. airstrikes, but the country could restart operations in a matter of months. \[[CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/iran-nuclear-enrichment-iaea-rafaeal-marino-grossi-face-the-nation-interivew/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### TECHNOLOGY The Trump administration has built a searchable national citizenship database. \[[NPR](https://www.npr.org/2025/06/30/nx-s1-5450364/the-trump-administration-is-building-a-national-citizenship-system?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] U.S. energy companies are pouring record sums into building power plants infrastructure to meet demand from data centers. \[[Financial Times](https://removepaywalls.com/https://www.ft.com/content/051f2361-de09-4744-814f-0de4b9b6c0d0?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Donald Trump says he has found buyers for TikTok. He will disclose their identities "in about two weeks." \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/29/us/politics/trump-tiktok-buyer.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### ENVIRONMENT The numbers of gray whales migrating along the California coast continue to plummet. \[[Los Angeles Times](https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2025-06-25/feds-report-alarmingly-low-gray-whale-count?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Mike Lee runs into some roadblocks URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/podcast-mike-lee-hits-some-roadblocks/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T20:14:32.000Z Sen. Mike Lee's controversial plan to sell off millions of acres of public lands hits two significant roadblocks. The Senate parliamentarian ruled against the proposal, and he's facing mounting opposition from conservation groups and his fellow Republicans in Congress. There are more questions than answers about the "No Kings" rally in Salt Lake City that left one protester dead. The anonymous organizers are hiding behind a shell company. They also didn't tell police there would be armed safety volunteers in the crowd. Gov. Spencer Cox declares a statewide day of prayer for rain amid worsening drought conditions. The last time Cox did this, he got roasted by John Oliver. Maybe we should be looking for solutions to our water crisis alongside appeals to the supernatural. If you'd like to sponsor this podcast, email me at [schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news](mailto:schott@utahpolitical) Don't forget to [subscribe to the podcast](https://specialsession.podbean.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) and leave a rating and review to help others discover the show. ### Montana Republicans vow to block Mike Lee's public lands sale URL: https://utahpolitics.news/montana-republicans-vow-to-block-mike-lees-public-lands-sale/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:51:21.000Z ## Friday, June 27, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **46** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **130** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **494** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,229** ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Friday morning: ### UTAH AND THE WEST A Wyoming shell company and a man who may not exist. Who is really behind the Salt Lake City "No Kings" protest? \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/a-wyoming-shell-company-and-a-man-who-may-not-exist-who-is-really-behind-the-salt-lake-city-no-kings-protest/)\] Montana Republicans vow to kill Sen. Mike Lee's public land sales provision. \[[NOTUS](https://www.notus.org/congress/montana-republicans-mike-lee-public-land-sales?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Some Utah GOP lawmakers push back against federal pause in AI laws in Trump's budget bill. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51335977/some-utah-gop-lawmakers-push-back-against-federal-pause-on-ai-laws-in-trumps-budget-bill?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah Supreme Court to hear appeal in "Utah Fits All" scholarship. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/politics/utah-supreme-court-to-hear-appeal-in-utah-fits-all-lawsuit?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] What the Supreme Court's Planned Parenthood ruling means for Utah. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/06/26/supreme-court-issues-decision-on-medicaid-and-planned-parenthood/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] SLCPD denies request for body cam video, 911 calls in shooting at "No Kings" protest. \[[KUTV](https://kutv.com/newsletter-daily/slcpd-denies-request-for-body-cam-video-911-calls-in-shooting-at-no-kings-protest?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Can housing support in Utah be more efficient? State looks to streamline programs. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2025/06/27/utah-housing-can-building-homes/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### NATIONAL A lot will have to go right for Senate Republicans to pass the massive tax and spending bill before the self-imposed deadline of July 4\. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/newsletters/inside-congress/2025/06/27/how-trump-could-get-his-july-4-megabill-00429170?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Senate parliamentarian disqualified a series of health care cuts and savings in the reconciliation package, including Medicaid rules requiring proof of citizenship for recipients. \[[NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/rcna215224?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Republicans are calling on President Trump to revoke Zohran Mandami's citizenship and deport him. \[[The Independent](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/zohran-mamdani-trump-deportation-citizenship-b2777570.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Edward "Big Balls" Coristine, one of Elon Musk's hires at DOGE, has returned to government as an employee of the Social Security Administration. \[[Wired](https://www.wired.com/story/big-balls-social-security-administration/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### INTERNATIONAL President Trump is sticking to his claim that Iran's nuclear program was "obliterated" by U.S. airstrikes. Senate Republicans aren't convinced. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/26/senate-iran-intelligence-briefing-00428638?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Early intelligence assessments provided to European governments determine Iran's nuclear stockpile remains largely intact. \[[Financial Times](https://www.ft.com/content/0808eeb8-341c-4a4e-8ccf-0db07febef91?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency said the centrifuges at one of Iran's uranium enrichment plants are "no longer operational" following the U.S. military strike. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/26/world/middleeast/centrifuges-fordo-damage-iran.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - President Trump has threatened to sue the New York Times and CNN for publishing articles about a preliminary intelligence report that disputed his claims about the success of the military strike on Iran. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/26/business/media/trump-iran-new-york-times-cnn.html?referringSource=articleShare&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - President Trump threatened to prosecute Democrats after accusing them without evidence of leaking information about the U.S. airstrike on Iran. \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/06/26/trump-democrats-iran-leak-prosecution-threat?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Trump administration has discussed providing as much as $30 billion in aid to help Iran build a civilian-energy-producing nuclear program, easing sanctions and freeing up Iranian funds to entice them to come back to the negotiating table. \[[CNN](https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/26/politics/us-iran-talks-nuclear-program?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### HEALTHCARE An advisory panel appointed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. voted to walk back recommendations for flu vaccines containing an agreement the anti-vaccine movement has falsely linked to autism. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/26/health/rfk-jr-vaccines-acip-cdc.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### A Wyoming shell company and a man who may not exist. Who is really behind the Salt Lake City 'No Kings' protest? URL: https://utahpolitics.news/a-wyoming-shell-company-and-a-man-who-may-not-exist-who-is-really-behind-the-salt-lake-city-no-kings-protest/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T20:14:47.000Z Who organized the “No Kings” protest in downtown Salt Lake City, where [an armed “safety volunteer” shot and killed](https://utahpolitics.news/what-actually-happened-at-the-salt-lake-city-no-kings-shooting/) a protester? Answers are proving difficult to come by because the man who organized the march may not exist, and the company behind the event is a shell company in Wyoming. On June 14, an armed “peacekeeper” shot and killed Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, one of the protesters participating in the march. The shooter claimed he drew his weapon and fired after seeing Arturo Gamboa openly carrying a rifle. Both men were hit, but only Ah Loo died. Police originally arrested Gamboa, who did not fire his weapon, on suspicion of murder. [He was released from custody last week](https://utahpolitics.news/former-army-engineer-identified-in-salt-lake-city-protest-shooting/) after his legal team challenged the legality of keeping him in jail. The protest was put on by [Utah50501](https://www.utah50501.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news), which was loosely affiliated with the national 50501 Movement. The national organization [cut ties with Utah organizers](https://utahpolitics.news/national-50501-organization-cuts-ties-with-salt-lake-city-chapter-after-fatal-protest-shooting/) after the shooting over the use of armed volunteers at the event. A search for those local organizers has hit several dead ends. According to a copy of the permit application for the protest obtained through an open records request, the primary applicant is listed as Michael Andaman, representing Utah Protest and Rally LLC. Michael Andaman appears to be a ghost. The only online record of a Michael Andaman in Utah is a [LinkedIn profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-andaman-b75464369/?ref=utahpolitics.news) that was created sometime in June. It’s not clear whether the profile was created before or after the shooting. Andaman’s profile is mostly blank. There’s no profile picture, and the only information listed is that he is an “investor” with a company known as Andaman Holdings. No such entity exists in Utah, but there are companies with that name in Florida, New York and Washington. A Colorado-based Andaman Holdings was dissolved in 2021\. Andaman appears to have no connection to those companies. Attempts to contact Andaman through LinkedIn were unsuccessful. Representatives for 50501Utah also did not respond to requests to contact Andaman. The search for Utah Protest and Rally LLC led to Wyoming, which has become a haven for corporate secrecy. Last year, the[ International Consortium of Investigative Journalists reported](https://www.icij.org/investigations/cyprus-confidential/with-sharp-rise-in-incorporations-wyoming-cements-reputation-as-us-secrecy-haven/?ref=utahpolitics.news) that Wyoming had seen a massive spike in the number of companies incorporating in the state because of laws favoring anonymous limited liability companies. The company was registered in Wyoming on April 10, 2025\. Paperwork filed with the Wyoming Secretary of State shows the organization’s mailing address is in Sheridan, Wyoming. That address leads to a virtual office in a strip mall that is home to nearly 4,000 other businesses. Those businesses include various money making entities linked to President Donald Trump and his family, including Trump-branded watches and his famous gold sneakers. The person listed on the Utah Protest and Rally LLC documentation as “organizer” is Andrew Pierce, whose company helps register businesses in Wyoming. Attempts to contact Andaman or anyone else involved with the Salt Lake City “No Kings” march through Pierce’s firm were rebuffed. Merv Bannister, a representative for Pierce’s company, confirmed via email that they were the registered agent for Utah Protest and Rally LLC, but their only role outside registering the business is to receive legal documents or tax forms on their behalf. “To be absolutely clear, registered agents do not bear any responsibility for the actions of their clients and we will not respond to any further communication via email or phone about the Company,” Bannister said. Bannister said they would not forward emails or other communications to anyone involved with the LLC and advised sending the company a letter at the mailing address listed on the business registration forms. Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall’s office did not respond to questions from Utah Political Watch about any interactions they had with Michael Andaman or anyone else connected to the Wyoming LLC. Questions about what steps are taken to confirm the identity of those applying for a city permit went unanswered. Questions still remain about the presence of armed volunteer “peacekeepers” at the protest. It appears that local law enforcement was unaware that they would be there. The permit application for a demonstration asks whether organizers planned to hire private security or hire off-duty Salt Lake City police officers. On the application for the “No Kings” event, organizers chose “none.” There is no option for the use of private security. A spokesperson for the Salt Lake City police tells Utah Political Watch they were not aware that there would be armed security during the demonstration or march. “We had an awareness that the event organizers were going to have people on hand to help facilitate the march, but they were not classified to us as security,” police spokesperson Brent Weisberg said in an email. ### *Got a news tip to share? Email* [*tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news*](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) *or* [*message me securely on Signal*](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news#eu/l4IQPeWeKIsOBd-X2AK6l8UYforaMXVE9koRqMQoSGE7KDRWRLBOer0pHYTwbCAz)*.* ### Mike Lee tries again on public land sale URL: https://utahpolitics.news/mike-lee-tries-again-on-public-land-sale/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:51:16.000Z ## Thursday, June 26, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **47** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **131** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **495** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,230** ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Thursday morning: ### UTAH AND THE WEST Mike Lee's scaled back plan would sell up to 1.2 million acres of public lands. \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/mike-lees-scaled-back-plan-would-sell-up-to-1-2-million-acres-of-public-lands/)\] Republican Sen. Mike Lee has introduced a bill to withdraw the U.S. from NATO. \[[Newsweek](https://www.newsweek.com/nato-us-withdraw-senator-mike-lee-republican-effort-2090914?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah's gun laws and the factors at play as prosecutors mull charges after "No Kings" shooting. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/06/26/utah-gun-laws-in-no-kings-shooting-open-carry-self-defense/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] As Utah sees immigration raid protests, 4 local companies make money from ICE – and one is lobbying for more. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2025/06/26/these-utah-companies-profit-off/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Sen. John Curtis wants to hasten nuclear energy in Utah. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/utah/2025/06/25/curtis-nuclear-energy-utah-congress/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Signs posted at Utah's national parks, monuments urge visitors to report anti-American views. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/signs-posted-at-utahs-national-parks-monuments-urge-visitors-to-report-anti-american-views?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] How much water are Utah's agriculture optimization projects saving? \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51331406/how-much-water-are-utahs-agriculture-optimization-projects-saving-?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Pluralsight, once a Utah "unicorn," is leaving the state after another round of layoffs. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/business/2025/06/26/pluralsight-is-leaving-utah-after/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Judge stops closure of Utah Job corps. \[[KUTV](https://kutv.com/news/eye-on-your-money/judge-stops-closure-of-utah-job-corps?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### NATIONAL Senate Republicans are struggling to find enough votes to pass President Donald Trump's "one big beautiful bill." \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/06/25/congress/megabill-senate-mutiny-00424389?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - The Senate parliamentarian rejected a proposal to change the Medicaid provider tax, which makes the math on the reconciliation bill much harder. \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/06/26/senate-medicaid-provider-tax-trump-thune?stream=politics&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - The Senate parliamentarian also ruled out a provision to prohibit federal subsidies under the Affordable Care Act going to health plans that cover abortion services. \[[The Hill](https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5370563-parliamentarian-rules-aca-abortion-subsidies/?email=066c0990fa413d52c3842f29a42abb22ffa00eae&emaila=02c3337a6605235631b8cab2e023d54e&emailb=e0d37ab6f97ed06914f0e75a1ebed673001a81f7f84978ff9209f3e23f7ba5d3&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Sen. Susan Collins is floating a tax hike on Americans making more than $100 million a year as part of the reconciliation bill currently in the Senate. \[[Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-25/tax-hike-on-mega-millionaires-floated-as-gop-debates-trump-bill?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Capitol Police arrested more than 30 protesters, including some in wheelchairs, who were demonstrating against the proposed Medicaid cuts in the budget bill. \[[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/25/capitol-police-medicaid-protests-.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Wall Street is reportedly panicking over the prospect of Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist, becoming Mayor of New York City. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/us-news/wall-street-panics-over-prospect-of-a-socialist-running-new-york-city-da7db7e4?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - What is a Democratic Socialist? \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/25/us/politics/what-is-democratic-socialism.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Edward "Big Balls" Coristine, part of Elon Musk's DOGE effort, no longer works for the federal government. \[[Wired](https://www.wired.com/story/big-balls-coristine-doge-resigned-us-government/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### INTERNATIONAL The CIA says Iran's Nuclear Program was "severely damaged" by U.S. airstrikes. \[[CNN](https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/25/politics/cia-iran-nuclear-strikes-assessments?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei says the U.S. "failed to achieve anything significant" in the attack. \[[BBC](https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cy7nx2180xdt?post=asset%3Acc351e62-d019-43f5-ae7c-4901bcf45a7e&ref=utahpolitics.news#post)\] Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he no longer believes President Trump is interested in annexing the country. \[[CNN](https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/24/americas/carney-canada-51st-state-trump-nato-latam-intl?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump called for the corruption trial of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be "cancelled immediately." \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/06/25/trump-cancel-netanyahu-corruption-trial?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### ECONOMY President Trump is considering naming a successor to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell this summer, even though Powell's term runs for another 11 months. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/economy/central-banking/trump-next-federal-reserve-chair-powell-d3edcb9c?mod=djemalertNEWS&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### HEALTHCARE Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the U.S. will withdraw funding from Gavi, the leading international vaccine organization, accusing the group of having "ignored the science" in immunizing children. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/25/health/kennedy-vaccines-gavi.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### EDUCATION The Education Department says California is violating Title IX by allowing transgender athletes on girls sports teams. They've given California officials 10 days to ban transgender athletes and strip them of any prizes they've won. \[[San Francisco Chronicle](https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/california-title-ix-20393470.php?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### BUSINESS The Trump Organization is no longer claiming that the recently announced "Trump Phone" was made in America. \[[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/26/trump-phone-website-removes-made-in-the-usa-tag-for-the-device.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] A massive cargo ship carrying 3,000 vehicles capsized and sank in international waters. \[[USA Today](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/06/25/morning-midas-sinks-cargo-ship-fire/84348819007/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Mike Lee's scaled back plan would sell up to 1.2 million acres of public lands URL: https://utahpolitics.news/mike-lees-scaled-back-plan-would-sell-up-to-1-2-million-acres-of-public-lands/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T16:52:48.000Z Sen. Mike Lee is paring back his original plan to auction off millions of acres of American public lands after Senate rules torpedoed his original proposal. Lee’s plan to [sell more than 2 million acres of federal lands was nixed](https://apnews.com/article/public-land-sales-senate-mike-lee-bf4c3a046a107efc7d4ffe005fdb9d2d?ref=utahpolitics.news) after the Senate parliamentarian ruled it [violated the “Byrd Rule](https://www.budget.senate.gov/ranking-member/newsroom/press/provisions-continue-to-violate-the-byrd-rule-in-the-republicans-one-big-beautiful-bill?ref=utahpolitics.news),” which says that only provisions directly related to the budget process can be included in the reconciliation process, keeping “extraneous” issues out. Shortly before the parliamentarian’s ruling killed his proposal, Lee appeared to sense defeat, [announcing on social media](https://x.com/SenMikeLee/status/1937340623213985907?ref=utahpolitics.news) that changes were coming. > Housing prices are crushing families and keeping young Americans from living where they grew up. We need to change that. > > Thanks to YOU—the AMERICAN PEOPLE—here’s what I plan to do: > > 1\. REMOVE ALL Forest Service land. We are NOT selling off our forests. > > 2\. SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE… > > — Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) [June 24, 2025](https://twitter.com/SenMikeLee/status/1937340623213985907?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) According to emailed bullet points to Utah lawmakers provided to Utah Political Watch, Lee is preparing to unveil a watered-down version: only Bureau of Land Management properties would face the auctioneer’s gavel, with all Forest Service lands now off-limits. The updated plan also slashes the amount of the 245 million acres of BLM land that would be up for sale, from 0.5-0.75% to between 0.2% and 0.5%, or up to 1.225 million acres. [According to the latest bill draft](https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/FILE%5F1056-June252025Version.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news), Lee’s plan now specifies that any land sold can only be used “solely for the development of housing or to address any infrastructure and amenities to support local needs associated with housing.” The changes also specify that only lands within 5 miles of the boundary of a population center can be sold. Lee is also promising to use more of the money from the sales to “improve lands for hunting and fishing,” upping the percentage of the proceeds that would go toward the BLM’s deferred maintenance backlog from 5% to 10%. Lee claims that would raise $600 million in new funding over the next decade. The plan has faced significant pushback from environmental groups and his Republican colleagues in Congress. Lee’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. ### *Got a news tip to share? Email* [*tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news*](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) *or* [*message me securely on Signal*](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news#eu/l4IQPeWeKIsOBd-X2AK6l8UYforaMXVE9koRqMQoSGE7KDRWRLBOer0pHYTwbCAz)*.* ### Lee retreats on public land sale URL: https://utahpolitics.news/lee-retreats-on-public-land-sale/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:51:11.000Z ## Wednesday, June 25, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **48** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **132** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **496** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,231** ### Editor's note Apologies for not publishing a morning newsletter on Monday and Tuesday of this week. I had to take a quick trip to Los Angeles for a project I'm excited to be part of. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DLQOO%5FAS8cE/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Bryan Schott (@schotthappens)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DLQOO%5FAS8cE/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) Unfortunately, I can't divulge any details right now. Watch this space. ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Wednesday morning: ### UTAH AND THE WEST Mike Lee says he'll scale back public land sale as proposal hits roadblock in Senate. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/06/24/mike-lee-public-land-sale-utah-senate/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Rep. Blake Moore says Trump had authority to conduct strikes on Iran. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51334947/rep-blake-moore-says-trump-had-authority-to-conduct-strikes-on-iran?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] All 3 confirmed measles cases in Utah were unvaccinated. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/2-new-cases-of-measles-reported-in-utah-all-patients-unvaccinated?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Meet Molly Hart – Utah's new school superintendent of public instruction. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/utah/2025/06/24/meet-utah-school-superintendent-molly-hart/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah women rank 29 out of 51 for voter turnout. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/06/25/utah-women-rank-29-out-of-51-for-voter-turnout/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah's school voucher program is dominated by homeschoolers. It's made reimbursements a "nightmare." \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/education/2025/06/20/utah-voucher-program-expenses/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] How did the Forsyth Fire start 10 days before anyone ever noticed? \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/utah-wildfires/how-did-the-forsyth-fire-start-10-days-before-the-first-flames?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Some parents claim upcoming Alpine School District split brings important matters to halt. \[[KUTV](https://kutv.com/news/education/some-parents-claim-upcoming-alpine-school-district-split-brings-important-matters-to-halt?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Western governors unite behind Gov. Cox's energy plan. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/06/24/utah-governor-announces-energy-superabundance-initiative-at-western-governors-association/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Draper mayor claims city had no choice but to approve new housing development plan. \[[KUTV](https://kutv.com/news/utahs-growing-pains/draper-mayor-claims-city-had-no-choice-but-to-approve-new-housing-development-plan?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### NATIONAL Senate Republicans plan to start voting Friday on the "one big, beautiful bill." \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/06/24/john-thune-trump-big-beautiful-bill?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - The White House is pressuring reluctant Senate Republicans to get behind the GOP megabill ahead of a vote on the legislation. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/06/25/congress/white-house-senate-bill-cea-analysis-00422704?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - There are plenty of Republican critics of the massive reconciliation bill who dislike the legislation for various reasons. \[[Punchbowl News](https://punchbowl.news/archive/62525-am/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The FBI is reassigning agents who were shifted to focus on immigration cases to work on counterterrorism. \[[NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/fbi-returning-agents-counter-terrorism-work-diverting-immigration-rcna213661?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller reportedly has a significant financial stake in tech company Palantir, which is helping the Trump administration with its immigration crackdown. \[[Rolling Stone](https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/stephen-miller-financial-stake-palantir-ice-contractor-1235371343/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] A whistleblower says Emil Bove, who President Donald Trump has nominated for a federal judgeship, allegedly told subordinates he was willing to defy court orders if they derailed the president's deportation agenda. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/24/us/politics/justice-department-emil-bove-trump-deportations-reuveni.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump has decided that former senior Biden aides won't be protected by executive privilege in a congressional probe into former President Joe Biden's fitness for office. \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/06/25/biden-investigation-congress-aides-executive-privilege?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] New York state assemblyman Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic primary for New York City Mayor, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/06/24/nyregion/nyc-democratic-primary-election-mayor?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### INTERNATIONAL President Trump claims the military strike on Iran set that country's nuclear program back by "decades" in response to reporting that the raid had minimal impact. \[[BBC](https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c20xel1e97gt?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - President Donald Trump called those who claim the military strike on Iran was far less effective than he claims "scum." \[[Daily Beast](https://www.thedailybeast.com/donald-trump-lashes-out-at-scum-for-revealing-iran-bombing-was-botched/?via=twitter%5Fpage&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Germany announced plans to significantly ramp up spending on its military and infrastructure. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/24/world/europe/germany-budget-military-infrastructure.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Physician, heal thyself URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/podcast-physician-heal-thyself/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T20:15:27.000Z Utah's members of Congress either supported President Donald Trump's airstrikes against Iran or remained silent, despite the lack of credible intelligence backing the President's justification for the attack. Sen. Mike Lee's contradictory stance on war powers does raise some eyebrows, though. Sen. Lee faced some backlash for his cruel and insensitive social media posts in the aftermath of a tragic shooting in Minnesota. Will he face any consequences for those posts? Probably not. Utah Republican leaders call for more civility and less overheated political rhetoric. They should probably start by looking in the mirror and leading by example. Finally, a look at Sen. Lee's controversial plan to sell off millions of acres of public land to build housing and pay for tax cuts for the wealthy. If you'd like to sponsor this podcast, email me at [schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news](mailto:schott@utahpolitical) Don't forget to [subscribe to the podcast](https://specialsession.podbean.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) and leave a rating and review to help others discover the show. ### Former Army engineer identified in Salt Lake City protest shooting URL: https://utahpolitics.news/former-army-engineer-identified-in-salt-lake-city-protest-shooting/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T20:15:41.000Z A former Army combat engineer has been identified as the safety volunteer who fired his weapon during Saturday's "No Kings" protest in downtown Salt Lake City. Multiple sources involved with the volunteer safety team at the "No Kings" protest have confirmed to Utah Political Watch that Matt Alder was the safety volunteer who [allegedly drew his weapon and fired](https://utahpolitics.news/what-actually-happened-at-the-salt-lake-city-no-kings-shooting/) after observing Arturo Gamboa openly carrying a rifle at the protest. Gamboa was injured during the incident. Protester Arthur Folasa Ah Loo was also hit and later died. Speculation about Alder’s identity first emerged on social media Thursday when a user matched a photo of a yellow-vested man at the shooting scene with his [appearance in a recent local TV interview](https://kutv.com/news/local/murray-residents-concerned-about-neighborhood-speeding?ref=utahpolitics.news). "Y'all.. Is this him? or am I just trying to force a connection here?? lmk," read the viral post that sparked the connection. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/06/4197812085767667432.jpeg) Protest organizers had remained mum on Alder's identity since the incident on Saturday. Local organizers did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Salt Lake City police declined comment. Despite not firing his rifle, Gamboa was arrested by Salt Lake City police on suspicion of murder. He remains in jail after the Salt Lake County District Attorney was granted a three-day extension on his detention to continue the investigation into the incident. On Friday, a judge ordered the immediate release of Gamboa from jail after his lawyers claimed he was being unlawfully detained. In ordering his release, Third District Judge James Blanch said that prosecutors determined they would be unable to determine whether they could make an "informed decision" about filing charges against Gamboa by the end of that extension. Blanch ordered Gamboa's release on the condition that he continue living with his father, turn in his passport and not possess any firearms. "This is a zero-tolerance condition," Blanch hand wrote on a copy of the release order provided to Utah Political Watch. "He should be home this evening. Hopefully, this nightmare is now over," Greg Skordas, Gamboa's lawyer, said in a text message. In an email sent to Utah Political Watch earlier this week, Skordas argued that there was no reason for police to keep Gamboa in custody. "His own gun had no bullets. He once had a legal conceal carry permit. He was lawfully open-carrying. He has zero prior criminal history. He is so severely shackled in the jail that he cannot move his hands or legs. He has a visible entry wound and exit wound from the bullet that hit him in his back," Skordas wrote. *This story has been updated.* ### *Got a news tip to share? Email* [*tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news*](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) *or* [*message me securely on Signal*](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news#eu/l4IQPeWeKIsOBd-X2AK6l8UYforaMXVE9koRqMQoSGE7KDRWRLBOer0pHYTwbCAz)*.* ### Utah GOP lawmakers scramble to defend Sen. Mike Lee's public land sale to pay for tax cuts URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-gop-lawmakers-scramble-to-defend-sen-mike-lees-public-land-sale-to-pay-for-tax-cuts/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T16:53:09.000Z Utah Republican lawmakers are rushing to defend Sen. Mike Lee’s proposal to auction off millions of acres of public lands in the west to help pay for tax cuts in the “big beautiful bill” currently moving through Congress. Last week, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which Sen. Lee chairs, [unveiled a plan](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/12/climate/senate-gop-public-land-sale.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) to raise as much as $10 billion by selling public land for housing development in 11 western states, including Utah. “The federal government owns 640 million acres of land, nearly a third of all land in the United States. The vast majority of that land has zero recreational value,” Lee [told conservative radio host Glenn Beck](https://megaphone.link/BMDC4179252914?ref=utahpolitics.news) on Thursday. “Disposing of a fraction of 1 percent of that, so that the next generation can afford a home, is a common-sense solution to a national problem.” Lee’s math - and his dismissal of millions of acres as worthless - has sparked fierce pushback from environmental groups and others. Scrambling to control the narrative, GOP Sen. Dan McCay emailed his colleagues on Thursday with a list of talking points about Lee’s proposal provided by Utah Third Congressional District Rep. Celeste Maloy. A copy of the email was obtained by Utah Political Watch. “There has been significant misreporting on the issue, and the following points help correct the record and provide important context,” McCay wrote. Rep. Maloy [first proposed the sale of thousands of acres of public lands](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-rep-maloy-proposes-11-000-acre-public-land-sale-to-fund-trumps-tax-cuts/) in Utah and Nevada to offset the cost of President Donald Trump’s massive tax cuts in May. The amendment she co-sponsored with Nevada GOP Rep. Mark Amodei was stripped out of the reconciliation bill before it was passed by the House. Lee’s proposal requires the sale of at least 2 million acres of Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands in 11 western states, including Utah, over the next five years. [An analysis with accompanying map](https://www.wilderness.org/articles/blog/congress-making-more-250-million-acres-public-lands-available-sale?ref=utahpolitics.news) from the Wilderness Society identified up to 250 million acres of public lands that fit the criteria to be sold under Lee’s plan. According to the talking points circulated in McCay’s email, that Wilderness Society analysis is a particular sore spot for defenders of Lee’s proposition. “Chairman Lee’s proposal does not list a single acre for sale, and maps created by activist groups like the Wilderness Society are inaccurate. The legislation does not reference any maps and does not directly offer any parcels for sale. Instead, it creates a robust public nomination and identification process to identify unused land - land close to existing infrastructure that is appropriate to address the housing crisis,” McCay’s email read. The email goes on to say the proposal was “narrowly and carefully crafted” to ensure that only lands close to existing population centers, within 1 to 5 miles, can be considered for auction. Public lands where there are grazing permits, special authorizations for ski areas, mining claims, mineral leases or rights of ways are ineligible to be sold. “This is a proposal that fulfills promises made by President Trump in his campaign, unlocking a fraction of 1% of federal land to be used to build houses, which will create thousands of jobs, allow millions of Americans to realize the American dream, and reduce the deficit and fund our public lands,” McCay’s email read. ### *Got a news tip to share? Email* [*tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news*](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) *or* [*message me securely on Signal*](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news#eu/l4IQPeWeKIsOBd-X2AK6l8UYforaMXVE9koRqMQoSGE7KDRWRLBOer0pHYTwbCAz)*.* ### Gamboa to remain in jail URL: https://utahpolitics.news/gamboa-to-remain-in-jail/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:51:07.000Z ## Friday, June 20, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **53** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **137** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **501** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,236** ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Friday morning: ### UTAH AND THE WEST National 50501 organization cuts ties with Salt Lake City chapter after fatal protest shooting. \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/national-50501-organization-cuts-ties-with-salt-lake-city-chapter-after-fatal-protest-shooting/)\] Arturo Gamboa to remain in jail after SLCo District Attorney granted 3-day extension. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/northern-utah/arturo-gamboa-to-remain-in-jail-after-slco-district-attorney-granted-3-day-extension?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] State audit reveals Vineyard failed to report "substantial" payments to developers. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2025/06/19/audit-shows-vineyard-failed-report/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Poll: Cox sees small boost to approval as he broadens his message to the right and left. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/06/18/new-poll-shows-utah-governor-cox-with-increase-in-voter-approval-rating/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] An "amicable divorce" proposed in Colorado River negotiations. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/colorado-river-collaborative/an-amicable-divorce-proposed-in-colorado-river-negotiations?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah judge now faces bipartisan calls to resign. \[[KSL](https://ksltv.com/local-news/utah-judge-don-torgerson-now-faces-bipartisan-calls-to-resign-mike-schultz-angela-romero-legislature/788128/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Head of Utah Department of Public Safety announces retirement. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/utah/2025/06/19/head-of-utah-department-of-public-safety-jess-anderson-retires/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] New Utah law was hailed as a win for air quality. But what impact will it have? \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2025/06/20/utah-air-quality-impact-new/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### NATIONAL The Senate parliamentarian has ruled that several proposals the GOP inserted in the massive reconciliation violate the Byrd Rule. \[[X](https://x.com/punchbowlnews/status/1936043702566502828?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Employees terrified of ICE raids are failing to show up at work. \[[Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2025-06-19/ice-raids-have-us-farms-fearing-food-shortages-supply-chains-cracking?srnd=homepage-americas&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Border czar Tom Homan says immigration raids will continue at farms and hotels. \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/06/19/trump-immigration-raids-farms-hotels-border-czar?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The trust funds for Social Security and Medicaid will run out of money in as little as 8 years according to a new report. \[[ABC News](https://abcnews.go.com/Business/social-security-fund-run-dry-sooner-previously-expected/story?id=122982196&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Republican Congressman Max Miller of Ohio says he was "run off the road" by another driver who brandished a Palestinian flag and drove away. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/19/max-miller-road-incident-00414551?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### INTERNATIONAL President Donald Trump says he will decide on what role the U.S. will take in the conflict between Israel and Iran in "two weeks." \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-israel-trade-fresh-air-attacks-trump-weighs-us-involvement-2025-06-19/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - A majority of Americans don't want the U.S. to get involved in the war between Israel and Iran. \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/06/19/israel-iran-war-americans-poll?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] More than 13 million people in Africa could catch malaria due spending cuts in U.S. aid programs. \[[Financial Times](https://www.ft.com/content/b5a1d178-6823-4227-8f2d-81a66edbd71e?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### ECONOMY Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell says higher prices are coming because of President Trump's tariffs. \[[Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-18/fed-s-powell-says-rate-path-unclear-but-tariff-impact-is-coming?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - President Trump ripped Powell for not lowering interest rates. \[[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/19/trump-powell-fed-interest-rates.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The U.S. added 1,000 new millionaires a day in 2024\. \[[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/19/united-states-millionaires-wealth.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### SCIENCE Study shows making hydrogen with soda cans and seawater is scalable and sustainable. \[[MIT News](https://news.mit.edu/2025/study-shows-making-hydrogen-soda-cans-seawater-scalable-sustainable-0603?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### National 50501 organization cuts ties with Salt Lake City chapter after fatal protest shooting URL: https://utahpolitics.news/national-50501-organization-cuts-ties-with-salt-lake-city-chapter-after-fatal-protest-shooting/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T20:16:11.000Z In the aftermath of the [deadly shooting at the "No Kings" protest](https://utahpolitics.news/what-actually-happened-at-the-salt-lake-city-no-kings-shooting/) in downtown Salt Lake City, the national 50501 Movement severed ties with its Salt Lake City organizers for having armed security at the march. On Saturday evening, an armed safety volunteer - referred to as a "peacekeeper" - spotted Arturo Gamboa openly carrying a rifle. In radio communications, the volunteer can be heard alerting organizers that he had seen someone with a gun before drawing his own weapon and firing. The bullets struck both Gamboa and protester Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, who later died. Gamboa, who police say did not fire his gun, was booked into jail on suspicion of murder. The Salt Lake County District Attorney announced Thursday that they [had been granted a three-day extension](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:zvzenefytgpphtsrosmxuy3c/post/3lry56ynwms2z?ref=utahpolitics.news) to Gamboa's detention while the investigation is ongoing. He will remain in jail until at least Monday. The national 50501 Movement’s decision Thursday to cut ties with the Salt Lake City branch for going against the movement's strict no weapons policy. "The presence of weapons, and any action that endangers lives, stands in direct opposition to the values we uphold. We feel deep anguish that harm unfolded in a space connected to our name and vision," the organization wrote in a social media statement. > > > [\[image or embed\]](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:f6gfdc4j4h7jbvs64lvpq2l5/post/3lrxzzbves22e?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=utahpolitics.news) > > — 50501: The People’s Movement ❌👑 ([@50501movement.bsky.social](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:f6gfdc4j4h7jbvs64lvpq2l5?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=utahpolitics.news)) [June 19, 2025 at 11:22 AM](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:f6gfdc4j4h7jbvs64lvpq2l5/post/3lrxzzbves22e?ref%5Fsrc=embed&ref=utahpolitics.news) The organization also walked back an initial (and now deleted) statement that labeled Gamboa as a "domestic terrorist." As a decentralized movement, local 50501 groups operate autonomously and are responsible for the planning and execution of their own events. Local organizers [said Monday](https://bsky.app/profile/marisakabas.bsky.social/post/3lrsjtwb7s224?ref=utahpolitics.news) that safety volunteers "were selected because of their military, first responder, and other relevant de-escalation experience." Sources tell Utah Political Watch that several “peacekeepers” were carrying weapons during Saturday’s protest, though the exact number remains unclear. The volunteer who allegedly fired the shots that killed Ah Loo and injured Gamboa has not been publicly identified. ### *Got a news tip to share? Email* [*tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news*](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) *or* [*message me securely on Signal*](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news#eu/l4IQPeWeKIsOBd-X2AK6l8UYforaMXVE9koRqMQoSGE7KDRWRLBOer0pHYTwbCAz)*.* ### Utah's public lands for sale URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utahs-public-lands-for-sale/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:51:01.000Z ## Thursday, June 19, 2025 ### Happy Juneteenth! ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **54** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **138** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **502** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,237** ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Thursday morning: ### UTAH AND THE WEST Sen. Mike Lee proposes legislation that puts 18+ million acres of Utah public land up for sale. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/sen-mike-lee-proposes-legislation-that-puts-18-million-acres-of-utah-public-land-up-for-sale?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Salt Lake police chief meets with lawmakers after deadly shooting at "No Kings" protest. \[[KSL](https://ksltv.com/local-news/salt-lake-police-chief-brian-redd-utah-lawmakers-meeting-shooting-no-kings-protest/787691/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Legislative panel advances first nuclear bill ahead of next year's general session. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/06/18/legislative-panel-advances-first-nuclear-bill-ahead-of-next-years-general-session/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Audit found Utah teachers removing classroom books ahead of "sensitive materials" law. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/northern-utah/audit-found-utah-teachers-removing-classroom-books-ahead-of-sensitive-materials-law?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Lawmakers take a "field trip" to examine Utah charter schools, statewide test performance. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/utah/2025/06/18/lawmakers-take-educational-field-trip/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Supreme Court sides with Utah in case over clean air regulations. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51332330/supreme-court-sides-with-utah-in-case-over-clean-air-regulations?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Understanding Utah's gun laws after deadly shooting at "No Kings" march. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/06/19/can-you-carry-gun-public-utah/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah college student detained by ICE after brief traffic stop to be released on bond. \[[NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/utah-college-student-detained-ice-brief-traffic-stop-released-bond-rcna213770?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Poll: Almost two-thirds of Utahns support contentious "Utah Fits All" school voucher program. \[[Deseret News](https://deseretnews-deseretnews-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/utah/2025/06/18/poll-suggests-wide-support-for-utah-fits-all/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### NATIONAL Senate GOP leaders are working overtime to convince their Republican colleagues to sign on to the cuts to Medicaid in the "big beautiful bill." \[[The Hill](https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5358330-medicaid-spending-cuts-senate-republicans/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### INTERNATIONAL President Donald Trump claims Iran was a "few weeks" away from developing a nuclear weapon. \[[Sky News](https://news.sky.com/story/flatplan-13385821?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - President Trump and the intelligence community appear at odds over how much of a threat Iran's nuclear program presents. \[[NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/world/iran/us-intelligence-assessment-irans-nuclear-program-remains-unchanged-rcna213879?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The State Department will start screening the social media and online presence of foreign nationals applying for educational visas. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/18/social-media-screening-student-visas-00413160?cid=apn&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### ECONOMY The housing market slump is worsening. \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/06/18/trump-tariffs-deportations-housing-market?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The federal government is proposing to allow wealthy families to pass on more of their money without paying an inheritance tax. \[[Washington Post](https://archive.is/20250618101553/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/06/18/inheritance-tax-exemption-increase/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Lee deletes tweets URL: https://utahpolitics.news/lee-deletes-tweets/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:50:57.000Z ## Wednesday, June 18, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **55** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **139** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **503** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,238** ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Wednesday morning: ### UTAH AND THE WEST What actually happened at the Salt Lake City "No Kings" shooting? \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/what-actually-happened-at-the-salt-lake-city-no-kings-shooting/)\] Sen. Lee deletes tweets mocking murder of Minnesota Democrat. \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/sen-lee-deletes-tweets-mocking-murder-of-minnesota-democrat/)\] Changes to Senate Republicans' budget proposal means even more Utah public land could be sold. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/06/18/utah-public-land-sale-map-mike-lee/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Proposed minimum wage hike would increase pay for hundreds of thousands of Utahns. \[[KUTV](https://kutv.com/news/eye-on-your-money/proposed-minimum-wage-hike-would-increase-pay-for-hundreds-of-thousands-of-utahns?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The battle over Utah's collective bargaining ban: How Utahns say they would vote. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/utah/2025/06/17/poll-question-voting-for-hb267-referendum/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Free speech group demands Utah allow students to have personal copies of banned books at school. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/education/2025/06/18/group-utah-students-have-right/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utahns weigh in on Trump's job as president so far. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/06/17/donald-trump-job-approval-in-utah/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ICE detained University of Utah student after gaining secret access to Colorado deputy's communications, sheriff's office says. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/education/2025/06/17/ice-detains-utah-student-after/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Audit criticizes Utah's child support payment agency for outdated technology. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/politics/audit-criticizes-utahs-child-support-payment-agency-for-outdated-technology?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Rocky Mountain Power issues advisory as 100-degree heat returns to Wasatch Front. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51331493/rocky-mountain-power-issues-advisory-as-100-degree-heat-returns-to-wasatch-front?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Investigation reveals Salt Lake City police have been taking electricty for years without paying. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/fox-13-investigates/investigation-reveals-salt-lake-city-police-have-been-taking-electricity-for-years-without-paying?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah to receive EPA funding to reduce lead in drinking water. \[[KSL](https://kslnewsradio.com/utah/lead-in-drinking-water-epa-funding/2221897/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### NATIONAL A federal appeals court appears ready to side with President Donald Trump's over the deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles. \[[Politico\]](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/17/appeals-court-trump-newsom-national-guard-00411536?ref=utahpolitics.news) Senate Republican leaders want to cut more from Medicaid to offset tax cuts in the massive reconciliation bill, but the plan has triggered a backlash within their own party. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/senate-tax-bill-changes-negotiations-4fb485c0?mod=hp%5Flead%5Fpos1&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] FBI Director Kash Patel fed conspiracy theories about fraud in the 2020 election by sharing unsubstantiated claims about Chinese interference. \[[NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/fbi-director-kash-patel-feeds-2020-election-conspiracy-theories-docume-rcna213521?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] At least five elected officials have been arrested or confronted by police while protesting Trump's immigration policies. \[[CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/18/us/elected-officials-confronted-immigration-enforcement-hnk?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Tucker Carlson embarrassed Sen. Ted Cruz in an exchange about Iran in a wild clip posted to social media. \[[X](https://x.com/TuckerCarlson/status/1935136085266387417?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### INTERNATIONAL Israel made the case for war with Iran by providing the U.S. intelligence that Tehran was ramping up research to build a nuclear weapon. U.S. officials were not convinced. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israel-built-its-case-for-war-with-iran-on-new-intelligence-the-u-s-didnt-buy-it-55592e81?mod=WSJ%5Fhome%5Fmediumtopper%5Fpos%5F3&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei defiantly rejected President Trump's demand for unconditional surrender. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/americas/israel-iran-air-war-enters-sixth-day-trump-calls-irans-unconditional-surrender-2025-06-17/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump's national security advisors have given him a range of options related to Iran. \[[ABC News](https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-presented-range-options-iran-sources/story?id=122962898&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump said on social media that "We have complete and total control of the skies over Iran." \[[CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-claims-complete-control-iran-skies/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### ECONOMY The dollar has lost more than 10% of its value against the euro, pound and Swiss franc since President Trump took office. It's also down against every single major currency in the world. \[[Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-17/trump-agenda-pressures-dollar-as-us-debt-hits-new-highs?srnd=homepage-americas&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### What actually happened at the Salt Lake City ‘No Kings’ shooting? URL: https://utahpolitics.news/what-actually-happened-at-the-salt-lake-city-no-kings-shooting/ Last updated: 2025-12-03T19:08:47.000Z ### *This article is co-published with* [*The Handbasket*](https://www.thehandbasket.co/?ref=utahpolitics.news)*.* Here is what we can say for sure: Approximately 10,000 people gathered in downtown Salt Lake City on Saturday for the No Kings protest and march organized by the Utah chapter of the 50501 Movement. Among the attendees was Arturo Gamboa, 24, a local man openly carrying a rifle, which is legal in Utah. An armed “safety volunteer” in a bright yellow vest spotted Gamboa, perceived a threat, and fired his weapon in his direction. He struck Gamboa, and in the process struck and killed protester [Arthur Folasa Ah Loo](https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-laura-vera-and-isaac-after-afas-passing?ref=utahpolitics.news), 39\. Gamboa, who police say did not fire his gun, was arrested a few blocks away and booked in county jail for suspicion of murder. The early—and now clearly wrong—version of events went something like this: Gamboa was seen manipulating his gun, aimed it at the crowd and began running towards people; the safety volunteer (previously referred to as a “peacekeeper”) spotted Gamboa advancing on the crowd, fired his weapon to stop him, and accidentally struck and killed Ah Loo. An initial and now-deleted statement from organizers even referred to Gamboa as a “domestic terrorist.” But in the days since the chaotic scene, [video evidence](https://www.fox13now.com/news/fox-13-investigates/new-video-of-salt-lake-city-protest-shooting-appears-to-contradict-police?ref=utahpolitics.news) and eyewitness testimony appear to show Gamboa made no such threat, the volunteer took matters into his own hands, and it seems that a man who never fired a shot is being scapegoated as the villain. A [press statement](https://bsky.app/profile/marisakabas.bsky.social/post/3lrsjtwb7s224?ref=utahpolitics.news) issued late Monday by Utah 50501 night shed a bit more light on how the volunteer even ended up at the protest. The group said that their team of “safety volunteers” were “selected because of their military, first responder, and other relevant de-escalation experience.” They said the volunteer who shot Gamboa and Ah Loo is a military veteran, but did not disclose his identity, and maintained he acted appropriately. “The person currently in custody was apprehended thanks to a protestor who saw the rifle and brought it to police attention.” The 50501 statement acknowledges that Ah Loo—a fashion designer and beloved father of two—was killed, but not that their volunteer was the one who may have fired the fatal shot. “Volunteer peacekeeping teams are common for protests,” Sarah Parker, a national coordinator for 50501 Movement, told [The AP](https://apnews.com/article/utah-no-kings-protest-shot-killed-75c777eeedd59c80c85695c45385c507?ref=utahpolitics.news) in the immediate aftermath of the shoot. But Parker said the organizers asked attendees, including the peacekeepers, not to bring weapons. Per AP: “Still, Parker said they stopped what could’ve been a larger mass casualty event.” ### **Initial response** Shortly before 8 pm MT on Saturday, some of the crowd marching toward the Wallace Bennett Federal Building in downtown Salt Lake City began to panic and scatter as word spread about a possible active shooter situation. Reports from [local news](https://ksltv.com/local-news/no-kings-pioneer-park/786166/?ref=utahpolitics.news) outlets and on social media about a shooting began pouring in around the same time. Some initial accounts reported that Gamboa was suspiciously touching his AR-15 rifle, the safety volunteer spotted him, yelled verbal commands for him to drop his weapon, and when he didn’t, opened fire. Other reports made it sound as though Gamboa was the one who shot Ah Loo and then ran to hide from authorities. [Video taken](https://www.reddit.com/r/GuysBeingDudes/comments/1lbxqsa/absolute%5Fdude%5Frecognized%5Fa%5Frifle%5Fin%5Fthe%5Fbackpack/?ref=utahpolitics.news) at the scene after Gamboa ran from the safety volunteer shows, as the Utah 50501 statement referenced, a bystander surreptitiously taking his gun bag, alerting a nearby police officer while pointing out Gamboa, who then arrested him. At the time, it was likely they believed Gamboa was the one who had fired the shots a few blocks away because he was carrying a gun. That evening, Utah 50501 [issued a statement](https://www.instagram.com/p/DK6RKk5urpu/?ref=utahpolitics.news) that pinned responsibility for the tragedy on Gamboa without naming him. “We are grateful to the SLC first responders and our safety team at the event for their quick response to the shooting, for apprehending the suspect before he could injure more people, and for helping get the protesters to safely clear the area,” the statement read. “We condemn the shooter and all violence directed at our peaceful community members in the strongest possible terms.” In another now-deleted social media post they also wrote that although they were still gathering the facts, “From our understanding, this was caused by a depraved and disturbed domestic terrorist who brandished an AR-15 and went into a crowd of peaceful protesters with an agenda to commit what we can only assume to be a mass shooting.” About two hours after the incident, Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian [Redd said](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/06/14/gunshots-break-out-in-slc-utah-during-no-kings-protest-police-urge-protesters-to-disperse/?ref=utahpolitics.news) they detained Gamboa, who had also suffered a gunshot wound, about two blocks away from where the shooting happened. Redd said they also had detained two other people involved. On Sunday, Salt Lake City police told the now highly-disputed version of events that the 50501 “peacekeepers” told police that they saw Gamboa move behind a wall, remove an AR-15-style rifle from his backpack and “manipulate it.” They said they confronted Gamboa and ordered him to drop the weapon, but he ignored that command. One of them fired three rounds at Gamboa when he allegedly began to advance on a group of protesters. Both of the men were armed. ### On the ground ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/06/jgatenby061425-7.jpg) Photo Credit: Jake Gatenby Jake Gatenby, a Salt Lake City-based freelance photographer, was by his estimation 15-30 feet in front of Ah Loo when he shot. He said he was angry to learn the armed volunteers had been hired by the protest organizers, “but from what I experienced before, during, and after the shooting it makes sense.” Gatenby said the behavior of the volunteers in yellow vests had struck him as strange from the start. He said they “acted as if they were there to control the protestors, rather than protect them.” According to Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd, witnesses reported that Gamboa “raised the weapon in a firing position and began running toward the crowd.” But [video taken](https://www.fox13now.com/news/fox-13-investigates/new-video-of-salt-lake-city-protest-shooting-appears-to-contradict-police?ref=utahpolitics.news) from a balcony overlooking the protest appears to show something different. “It clearly shows Arturo in full black dress casually walking towards the protest with his rifle pointed down towards the ground and one hand on the barrel,” a friend of Gamboa, whose name isn’t being shared to ensure his safety, said after watching the video many times over. “The security team approached him from the side and rear, almost across the street, with weapons out.” He continued: “You can hear in the audio that they fire on Arturo, at which point he leans forward, which causes the rifle and his hand to come up, but not in a ready position, in a fleeing position. The security team continues to fire twice more, and Arturo runs away as the video ends.” It was this sudden repositioning in response to the volunteer shooting his gun that may have made it appear as though Gamboa was aiming his weapon at the crowd. But no video shared so far bears out that version. “I am shaking with anger with how unnecessary it all was,” Gatenby said. “It feels like there were major lapses in top-down judgment since the conception of this event. A man is dead, another innocent man is in jail, and hundreds of people are traumatized because of piss poor decisions from the organizers to the shooter.” The use of “peacekeepers” for safety and security by the 50501 organization is an extra step that other groups organizing protests in Salt Lake City don’t seem to employ. Earlier on Saturday, about 3,000 people showed up for a “No Kings” protest at the University of Utah sponsored by Salt Lake Indivisible. That group relies on local police for their events or the Utah Highway Patrol if they are demonstrating at the Utah State Capitol. Sources say the 50501 peacekeepers operate in pairs and often use body cameras to document their interactions. It’s unclear whether the two peacekeepers involved in the fatal incident were wearing cameras on Saturday. On Tuesday evening, a local television station [published new video](https://www.fox13now.com/news/fox-13-investigates/new-video-of-salt-lake-city-protest-shooting-appears-to-contradict-police?ref=utahpolitics.news) (that had already been circulating on social media) of the incident which appears to show the two volunteer peacekeepers with their guns raised toward Gamboa, who is pointing his rifle at the ground. At that point, three gunshots can be heard and Gamboa can be seen running away. ### Who is Gamboa? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/06/ArturoGamboa.jpg) Photo Credit: Landon Hale Arturo Gamboa, 24, is a local Salt Lake punk musician who started attending protests in 2020 in the wake of George Floyd’s murder and in support of Black Lives Matter. An attendee at Saturday’s protest who did not witness the shooting said he remembered seeing Gamboa earlier in the day handing out masks to fellow protesters. “He’s a good kid,” Gamboa's friend, who has known him since 2015, said. “Literally willing to take a bullet for his community.” In a 2021 podcast interview with one of his bands, Rade, Gamboa described what it was like growing up with mixed parents and in the Mormon Church. “It was a game of ‘try and be as Americanized as you possibly can’,” he told [Slug Mag](https://www.slugmag.com/soundwaves/episode-364-rade/?ref=utahpolitics.news). In the interview he also talked about growing up in a military family and how that informed his views on international and community relations. “The American system is a steam train that’s always been fueled by Black and Brown bodies and by the emotional, physical, and spiritual pain of poor people,” he said. “It was very clear that only white men were considered equal. That opened the floodgates for me to understand the real horrors of living in America.” Now Gamboa, the son of a Venezuelan immigrant, has become one of those bodies. Robert Evans, host of the popular podcast Behind the Bastards, [posted on Bluesky](https://bsky.app/profile/iwriteok.bsky.social/post/3lrowrypwxc2v?ref=utahpolitics.news) on Sunday, that he’d learned a bit more about Gamboa from a local. “He'd done armed protesting before. Dressed more radically. Was a little awkward. No more than that.” “I think the most important thing is shifting perspective from violent extremist to community member and activist,” his friend said. “He put himself on the front lines of dozens of protests all through 2020 because he cares deeply for his community, open carrying as a deterrent and acting as a protector.” The friend described him as smart, level-headed, well-read and passionate. “He would never act as an aggressor, but is fiercely protective, willing to step in and deescalate or protect whenever needed.” He acknowledged that going solo and armed to a protest put on by a large organization working in tandem with law enforcement was a risk. “I just don’t think he thought past wanting to be involved and supportive.” Even still, he called the media portrayal of his friend’s actions “sickening.” ### Utah gun laws & safety The circumstances of the protest invite other questions: Does the mere possession of a gun at a protest in an open carry state constitute a threat? Do protesters have a right to know ahead of time that organizers intentionally selected volunteers with military training to monitor them? Utah’s gun laws are extremely lax. Anyone over 21 can carry a loaded pistol, either concealed or in the open, in most public places. Other guns, like rifles and shotguns, can be carried in public so long as there is no round in the chamber. The organizers of Saturday’s protest have still not made it clear whether or not they asked the safety volunteers to be armed or not. While it’s certainly possible the presence of Gamboa’s gun made other protest attendees uncomfortable, all available evidence at this point does not show him using it in any nefarious way. “If he had intent to do harm, he had at least 60 feet before nearing the crowd to have shot,” Matthew Tycer, a Portland, Oregon-based[ firearms safety](https://www.shutendefensivegroup.com/about-us?ref=utahpolitics.news) instructor who teaches Utah state concealed firearm permit requirements and reviewed video of the shooting, said. “He could have returned fire. He could have been engaged, then started shooting at others around him,” Tycer said. “Instead he ran because he was shot at by the inept security.” ### *Got a news tip to share? Email* [*tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news*](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) *or* [*message me securely on Signal*](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news#eu/l4IQPeWeKIsOBd-X2AK6l8UYforaMXVE9koRqMQoSGE7KDRWRLBOer0pHYTwbCAz)*.* ### Sen. Lee deletes tweets mocking murder of Minnesota Democrat URL: https://utahpolitics.news/sen-lee-deletes-tweets-mocking-murder-of-minnesota-democrat/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T16:54:39.000Z Sen. Mike Lee has deleted three tweets from his personal @basedmikelee X/Twitter account that mocked the shooting in Minnesota that killed one state lawmaker and her spouse, and left a state Senator and his wife severely injured. Lee was widely condemned after he took to social media to mock the victims and spread misinformation about the alleged shooter. [In one now-deleted post](https://x.com/BasedMikeLee/status/1934262175582822629?ref=utahpolitics.news), Lee captioned a photo of the alleged shooter wearing a latex mask, "This is what happens when Marxists don't get their way." ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/06/GthGwUlbgAAAnMh.jpg) A now-deleted post from Sen. Mike Lee's personal X/Twitter account Lee's assertion that the alleged gunman was a left-wing Marxist is not supported by a single shred of evidence. Lance Boelter, who law enforcement officials have charged in the shooting, is said to be an avid supporter of President Donald Trump. [Wired reports](https://www.wired.com/story/shooting-minnesota-melissa-hortman-vance-boelter/?ref=utahpolitics.news) he ran an evangelical ministry with his wife. [In a second deleted post](https://x.com/BasedMikeLee/status/1934088301113151660?ref=utahpolitics.news), Lee again shared the photo of the alleged shooter next to a photo of Boelter with the caption, "Nightmare on Waltz Street." ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/06/Screenshot-2025-06-16-at-12.30.47.png) A now-deleted post from Utah Sen. Mike Lee's personal X/Twitter account. Sen. Lee [deleted a third post](https://x.com/BasedMikeLee/status/1934088301113151660?ref=utahpolitics.news) calling Marxism a "deadly mental illness" in response to the Minnesota shootings. [Semafor reports](https://www.semafor.com/article/06/16/2025/congress-minnesota-lee-smith-trauma?ref=utahpolitics.news) Lee was angrily confronted by Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith on Monday over his social media posts. Also on Monday, Smith's chief of staff sent a scathing letter to Lee's staff over his social media posts. > A top staffer to Sen. Tina Smith emailed Sen. Mike Lee’s top staffers on Monday about “how much additional pain you’ve caused on an unspeakably horrific weekend” > > Full email below [pic.twitter.com/0284qGSzCf](https://t.co/0284qGSzCf?ref=utahpolitics.news) > > — Burgess Everett (@burgessev) [June 16, 2025](https://twitter.com/burgessev/status/1934743736312807918?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer blasted Lee for his social media posts mocking the Minnesota shootings, demanding that he take them down and apologize. Lee's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Utah Political Watch. ### Sen. Lee confronted over cruel tweets URL: https://utahpolitics.news/sen-lee-confronted-over-cruel-tweets/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:50:51.000Z ## Tuesday, June 17, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **56** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **140** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **504** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,239** ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Tuesday morning: ### UTAH AND THE WEST Selective outrage: Sen. Mike Lee mocks real violence against Democrats, condemns fake violence against Trump. \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/selective-outrage-sen-mike-lee-mocks-real-violence-against-democrats-condemns-fake-violence-against-trump/)\] Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith pulled Sen. Mike Lee out of a private Republican meeting to confront him over his social media posts mocking the murder of a Democratic state lawmaker. \[[Semafor](https://www.semafor.com/article/06/16/2025/congress-minnesota-lee-smith-trauma?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Read the email a top staffer for Sen. Smith sent to Sen. Lee's staffers ripping them for their boss's posts. \[[Burgess Everett on X](https://x.com/burgessev/status/1934743736312807918?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah leaders address safety issues after assassination of Minnesota state lawmaker. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/06/16/utah-leaders-address-safety-issues-after-assassination-of-minnesota-state-lawmaker/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Police investigating role of "peacekeepers" in fatal shooting at Salt Lake protest. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51330867/police-investigating-role-of-peacekeepers-in-fatal-shooting-at-salt-lake-protest?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Murder suspect described as a punk rocker who often open-carries a firearm at protests. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/northern-utah/murder-suspect-described-as-a-punk-rocker-who-often-open-carries-a-firearm-at-protests?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] "Project Runway" fashion designer shot dead at "No Kings" protest. \[[TMZ](https://www.tmz.com/2025/06/16/project-runway-star-killed-no-kings-protest-utah/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] New poll: Utahns split over the end of universal mail-in voting. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/06/16/new-poll-shows-utah-voters-want-automatic-mail-in-ballots-to-vote/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Juneteenth raised-fist imagery in city announcements sparks conservative criticism. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51330985/juneteenth-raised-fist-imagery-in-city-announcements-sparks-conservative-criticism?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Draper City sets aside over 250 acres of land for conservation, barring future development. \[[KUTV](https://kutv.com/news/local/draper-city-sets-aside-over-250-acres-of-land-for-conservation-barring-future-development?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Red Flag Warning covers half the state with worsening fire conditions. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/weather/red-flag-warning-covers-half-the-state-with-worsening-fire-conditions?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### NATIONAL Senate Republicans are proposing larger cuts to Medicaid to offset trillions of dollars in tax cuts as part of the massive reconciliation bill. \[[Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-16/trump-s-tax-cuts-and-debt-limit-bill-released-by-senate-republicans?srnd=homepage-americas&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Americans oppose the GOP-led tax cut and spending bill by nearly a 2-1 margin according to new polling. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/06/17/budget-bill-poll/?pwapi%5Ftoken=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNzUwMTMyODAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNzUxNTE1MTk5LCJpYXQiOjE3NTAxMzI4MDAsImp0aSI6ImMyZjcxMGU0LTcyODItNGYzNS05ZjUyLTdlMWM4OTNlNmZjMSIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9wb2xpdGljcy8yMDI1LzA2LzE3L2J1ZGdldC1iaWxsLXBvbGwvIn0.DNW3wwZNxl6pEQNIsjcqfm0w6zwjtKZIdh3Gtx1TLiE&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] A federal jury ruled MyPillow founder Mike Lindell defamed a former employee of a voting equipment company following the 2020 election. The employee was awarded $2.3 million in damages. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/16/mypillow-founder-mike-lindell-loses-defamation-case-00409448?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Los Angeles Press Club has sued the City of Los Angeles and its police department over alleged attacks on journalists during the recent civil unrest. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/media/2025/06/16/la-press-club-sues-lapd/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The NAACP will not invite President Donald Trump to its national convention – the first time in the organization's 116-year history it has not invited the sitting president to participate. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/06/17/naacp-trump-invite-president/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### INTERNATIONAL President Trump denied reaching out to leaders in Iran about a potential ceasefire with Israel. \[[ABC News](https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-denies-reaching-iran-threatens-hard-tehran-strikes/story?id=122920648&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump says he wants "a real end" to Iran's nuclear program. \[[CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-real-end-iran-nuclear-program/?ftag=CNM-00-10aac3a&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says he has ordered the "deployment of additional capabilities" to the command responsible for the Middle East. \[[BBC](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c2kqkd03xn5t?post=asset%3Ad756f6ba-7ddb-4db3-bc0a-8add2e49826a&ref=utahpolitics.news#post)\] - President Trump sparked panic on Monday night when he warned "everyone" to flee Tehran. \[[Times of Israel](https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-urges-everyone-to-flee-tehran-sparking-speculation-of-widening-conflict/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### HEALTHCARE A federal judge ruled President Trump's cuts to National Institute of health grants for research on diversity-related topics was "void and illegal." \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/federal-judge-says-trump-cuts-nih-grants-are-illegal-politico-reports-2025-06-16/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] A new "razor blade throat" COVID variant is on the rise in some parts of California. Patients describe symptoms as feeling like their throats are studded with razor blades. \[[Los Angeles Times](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-06-16/covid-razor-blade-throat-emerges-as-new-subvariant-spreads?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] All 50 states and Washington, D.C. have agreed to a $7.4 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma over OxyContin. \[[ABC News](https://abcnews.go.com/US/states-agree-74-billion-settlement-purdue-pharma-opioid/story?id=122892221&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Trump administration has cut government spending on health research to the lowest level in a decade, forcing universities to dip into their endowments to make up the difference. \[[Financial Times](https://www.ft.com/content/63c12080-d7f3-4ffb-afbc-ff0a90a0131d?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### BUSINESS/ECONOMY Sales of Tesla vehicles dropped 16% in April. \[[Fortune](https://fortune.com/2025/06/16/tesla-ev-sales-annual-drop-market-elon-musk/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Americans cut back sharply on spending last month. Retail sales fell 0.9% in May. \[[CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/17/economy/us-retail-sales-may?bt%5Fee=%2BqFLmpdq%2FBlIueaRvV3hXGf4WoSDbjol%2B7K6gwQTeiGeqZOa559HG9rsJDNWA6q5&bt%5Fts=1750165196708&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Selective outrage: Sen. Mike Lee mocks real violence against Democrats, condemns fake violence against Trump URL: https://utahpolitics.news/selective-outrage-sen-mike-lee-mocks-real-violence-against-democrats-condemns-fake-violence-against-trump/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T16:55:00.000Z Hours after a gunman killed a Democratic state lawmaker and her husband in Minnesota, Utah Sen. Mike Lee took to social media to mock the victims—but when a protester displayed a violent image targeting President Trump the same weekend, Lee swiftly condemned it as "un-democratic." Minnesota law enforcement officials say Vance Boelter allegedly shot and killed Democratic state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, and allegedly shot and wounded Democratic state Senator John Hoffman and his wife on Saturday. During the spree, officials say [Boelter visited two other Minnesota politicians’ homes](https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/minnesota-shootings-manhunt-06-15-25?ref=utahpolitics.news#cmbz98i57000k3b6mx39more5) “with the intent to kill them.” Lee’s response was immediate and partisan. He posted a photo of the alleged gunman wearing a latex mask with the caption, “This is what happens when Marxists don’t get their way.” > This is what happens > > When Marxists don’t get their way [pic.twitter.com/VcZ0XtMiBA](https://t.co/VcZ0XtMiBA?ref=utahpolitics.news) > > — Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) [June 15, 2025](https://twitter.com/BasedMikeLee/status/1934262175582822629?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) Lee’s ham-fisted accusation is not supported by a shred of evidence. [Boelter’s friends told reporters](https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-shootings-lawmakers-suspect-21b2165404bc66f77dd5e0e36efeb065?ref=utahpolitics.news) that he is a “strong” supporter of President Donald Trump and held conservative political views. He was registered to vote as a Republican when he lived in Oklahoma. Police found a hit list of approximately 70 other potential targets in what they say is Boelter’s vehicle. The list included Democratic politicians, doctors and locations of Planned Parenthood clinics. Minutes later, Lee posted more photos of the alleged gunman with the caption, “Nightmare on Waltz Street,” an apparent dig at Minnesota Gov. Tim Waltz. > Nightmare on Waltz Street [pic.twitter.com/Nkifu7cKPA](https://t.co/Nkifu7cKPA?ref=utahpolitics.news) > > — Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) [June 15, 2025](https://twitter.com/BasedMikeLee/status/1934268603676647646?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) The casual cruelty of those posts stood in stark contrast to [a message on his official U.S. Senate X/Twitter account](https://x.com/SenMikeLee/status/1934348952197116157?ref=utahpolitics.news) where he condemned the Minnesota attack and a fatal shooting at the “No Kings” protest in downtown Salt Lake City on Saturday evening. “These hateful attacks have no place in Utah, Minnesota, or anywhere in America,” the message read. His office did not respond to a request for comment from Utah Political Watch. Lee’s selective outrage becomes clear when violence targets Republicans. Just hours after his derisive posts about the shootings in Minnesota, Lee condemned a North Carolina state lawmaker for a social media post of a protester at a “No Kings” rally carrying a prop depicting a beheaded President Trump and Elon Musk. “Calling for the president of the United States to be beheaded is un-democratic,” Lee said in a response to a post from the far-right Libs of TikTok. > Calling for the president of the United States to be beheaded is un-democratic > > It should also be un-Democratic > > Tragically, it seems increasingly on-brand for today’s Democrats [https://t.co/fSo1UlIIRj](https://t.co/fSo1UlIIRj?ref=utahpolitics.news) > > — Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) [June 15, 2025](https://twitter.com/BasedMikeLee/status/1934118629039296935?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) Lee also accused former FBI Director James Comey of making a violent threat against President Trump because of a now-deleted Instagram post of seashells arranged so they read “8647.” [Lee introduced legislation last week](https://www.lee.senate.gov/2025/6/lee-condemns-comey-s-death-threat-against-president-trump?ref=utahpolitics.news) condemning Comey for “inciting violence” against President Trump and barring him from any future employment with the federal government. ### *Got a news tip to share? Email* [*tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news*](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) *or* [*message me securely on Signal*](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news#eu/l4IQPeWeKIsOBd-X2AK6l8UYforaMXVE9koRqMQoSGE7KDRWRLBOer0pHYTwbCAz)*.* ### Tragedy at Salt Lake City protest URL: https://utahpolitics.news/tragedy-at-salt-lake-city-protest/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:50:47.000Z ## Monday, June 16, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - 57 Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **141** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **505** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,240** ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Monday morning: ### UTAH AND THE WEST 10,000 people march through downtown Salt Lake in "No Kings" protest. \[[KUTV](https://kutv.com/news/local/10000-people-march-through-downtown-salt-lake-in-no-kings-protest?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] "No Kings" demonstrator dies after being shot at Utah protest, police say. \[[Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/15/no-kings-protest-salt-lake-city-utah-death-shooting?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] "Innocent bystander" shot, killed by member of "peacekeeping" group at Salt Lake rally. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51330407/innocent-bystander-shot-killed-by-member-of-peacekeeping-group-at-salt-lake-rally?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Man dies after being shot in chaotic scene at Salt Lake City's "No Kings" protest. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/06/15/man-dies-after-being-shot-in-chaotic-scene-at-salt-lake-citys-no-kings-protest/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Identity released of man killed by alleged peacekeeper at Salt Lake "No Kings Day" event. \[[KUTV](https://kutv.com/news/local/peaceful-protester-killed-by-gunfire-during-no-kings-day-demonstration-in-salt-lake-city?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Donald Trump eyes nominating FTC commissioner for Utah U.S. attorney. \[[Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-13/trump-eyes-nominating-ftc-commissioner-for-utah-us-attorney?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Majority of Utahns support spending cuts, say DOGE has been effective. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/06/15/utah-poll-doge-support-and-federal-job-losses/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Two Utah police departments merge following staffing concerns. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/central-utah/two-utah-police-departments-merge-following-staffing-concerns?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Salt Lake County officials want your help to combat rising elder abuse. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/06/16/salt-lake-county-wants-your-help-combat-rising-elder-abuse/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### NATIONAL President Donald Trump ordered federal officials to expand immigration raids in Democrat-led U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, New York and Chicago. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/15/trump-ratchets-up-immigration-battle-in-democratic-run-cities-00407376?cid=apn&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is already $1 billion over budget and could run out of money next month because of the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/06/16/ice-cash-crisis-immigration-crackdown-trump?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - The Trump administration gave deportation officials the personal data of millions of Medicaid enrollees. \[[Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/medicaid-deportation-immigrants-trump-4e0f979e4290a4d10a067da0acca8e22?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump called Saturday's $45 million military birthday parade a "tremendous success" despite drawing fewer than 10,000 people for the event. \[[Daily Beast](https://www.thedailybeast.com/donald-trump-claims-flop-military-parade-was-a-tremendous-success/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Dismal scenes from Trump's military parade. \[[The Wrap](https://www.thewrap.com/trump-military-parade-attendance/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Authorities apprehended the man suspected of shooting two Minnesota lawmakers on Sunday evening. \[[ABC News](https://abcnews.go.com/US/search-suspect-vance-boelter-enters-2nd-day-after/story?id=122864115&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] A big majority of Americans want President Trump to obey court rulings, but polling shows MAGA Republicans are divided on the issue. \[[NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/poll-americans-overwhelmingly-want-trump-obey-court-rulings-maga-repub-rcna212783?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The White House directed the Defense Department and NASA to review billions of dollars of contracts with SpaceX amid the public feud between President Trump and Elon Musk. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/white-house-reviews-spacex-contracts-trump-musk-feud-simmers-sources-say-2025-06-13/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### INTERNATIONAL President Donald Trump reportedly vetoed an Israeli plan to kill Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. \[[Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/trump-iran-israel-attack-43e3b1ce47d12477ae4533c941386b75?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### ECONOMY There's an unusual provision in the sale of U.S. Steel to Japan's Nippon Steel. The White House has been given a "golden share" that gives the government extraordinary influence over the company. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/15/us/politics/golden-share-us-steel-nippon-trump.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### HEALTHCARE New polling shows a significant majority of U.S. adults, both Republicans and Democrats, support using vaccines to prevent diseases. \[[NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/poll-rfk-jrs-food-agenda-finds-appeal-partisan-lines-vaccines-are-diff-rcna212781?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Podcast: 'The whole thing is dumb' URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/podcast-the-whole-thing-is-dumb/ Last updated: 2025-06-16T21:12:30.000Z Utah elected officials are talking tough about possible violence ahead of protests scheduled all over Utah this weekend. A group of Republicans in Riverton issued a completely over the top statement warning protesters against committing any violence or vandalism. They're worried a similar situation to what transpired in Los Angeles could happen here, but their rhetoric doeesn't match the reality of what is happening in California. There are legitimate questions about the cozy relationship Utah lawmakers have with Jen Brown, a right-wing activist and founder of Utah Citizens for the Constitution, after her connections to a Nazi sympathizer came to light. Brown has been tapped to help guide a taxpayer funded national initiative on federalism, despite her having no academic credentials or expertise on the Constitution. Gov. Spencer Cox says the fight between the Utah Legislature and Salt Lake City over Pride flags is "dumb." but, when he had a chance to veto the law, which he also thinks is "dumb," he punted. Sen. Mike Lee wants to sell public lands to help pay for tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. Sen. John Curtis casts doubt that the Senate will pass the "big, beautiful bill" by July 4\. Rep. Blake Moore says everybody should have known Elon Musk was "exaggerating" when he said he would cut $2 trillion from the federal budget. If you'd like to sponsor this podcast, email me at [schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news](mailto:schott@utahpolitical) Don't forget to [subscribe to the podcast](https://specialsession.podbean.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) and leave a rating and review to help others discover the show. ### Israel strikes Iran URL: https://utahpolitics.news/israel-strikes-iran/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:50:35.000Z ## Friday, June 13, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **60** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **144** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **508** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,243** ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Friday morning: ### UTAH AND THE WEST Hundreds march peacefully in Salt Lake City in protest against immigration policies. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/thousands-march-peacefully-in-salt-lake-city-in-protest-against-immigration-policies?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Man accused of attacking peaceful protesters outside Salt Lake City and County Building. \[[KUTV](https://kutv.com/news/local/man-accused-of-attacking-peaceful-protesters-outside-salt-lake-city-and-county-building?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] University of Utah student is being held in Colorado immigration detention center. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/education/2025/06/12/university-utah-student-being-held/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] 2 Utah courthouses reduce staff ahead of planned protests as state leaders urge calm. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51329364/2-utah-courthouses-reduce-staff-ahead-of-planned-protests-as-state-leaders-urge-calm?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Time running out for Gov. Cox to put the repeal of Legislature's anti-union law on the 2025 ballot. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2025/06/12/anti-union-law-utah-gov-cox-has/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah proposes developing uranium processing facility on military grounds. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/06/12/utah-proposes-uranium-processing-facility-on-military-grounds/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Rocky Mountain Power files appeal for larger rate hike than legislature approved. \[[KUTV](https://kutv.com/news/eye-on-your-money/rocky-mountain-power-files-appeal-for-larger-rate-hike-than-legislature-approved?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah attorney general joins lawsuit objecting to 23andMe's potential data sale. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51329081/utah-attorney-general-joins-lawsuit-objecting-to-23andmes-potential-data-sale?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Uinta Basin Railway group looks to fund project with $2.4 billion in federal bonds. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/06/13/uinta-basin-railway-funding/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Salt Lake County Democrats select public defender for County Council seat. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/06/12/democrats-pick-public-defender/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### NATIONAL The massive GOP tax cut and spending bill gives a massive boost to wealthy households while taking benefits away from low-income people. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/gop-tax-spending-megabill-cbo-dbedad8c?mod=hp%5Flead%5Fpos5&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Donald Trump bristles at the planned "No Kings" protests scheduled across the country on Saturday. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/12/us/politics/trump-no-kings-protests.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, a Democrat, was manhandled and handcuffed after attempting to enter a news conference behing held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/06/12/congress/padilla-handcuffed-senator-reactions-00403295?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Tensions between Republicans and Democrats exploded in Congress following the incident involving Padilla. \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/06/12/alex-padilla-john-mannion-mike-lawler-house-floor?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump acknowledged his administration's immigration crackdown has hurt the agriculture and hotel industries and said that "changes are coming." \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/12/us/politics/trump-farmers-hotels-immigration.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump says 15,000 foreigners have already signed up for the Trump "gold card" that offers a path to citizenship for $5 million. \[[USA Today](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/06/12/trump-foreigners-gold-card/84169931007/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### INTERNATIONAL Israel attacked Iran's nuclear sites early Friday, raising fears that all-out war betweetn the two countries is on the horizon. \[[Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/iran-explosions-israel-tehran-00234a06e5128a8aceb406b140297299?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Israeli strikes killed top Iranian military commanders, including the head of the Revolutionary Guards. \[[Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/13/israel-strikes-iran-nuclear-program-netanyahu?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - [Live coverage from the BBC](https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c93ydeqyq71t?ref=utahpolitics.news). ### ECONOMY Crude oil prices spiked Friday following Israel's attack on Iran. \[[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/quotes/@CL.1?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Senate revives plans to sell public lands in the west URL: https://utahpolitics.news/senate-revives-plans-to-sell-public-lands-in-the-west/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:50:29.000Z ## Thursday, June 12, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **61** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **145** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **509** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,244** ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Thursday morning: ### UTAH AND THE WEST A woman hand-picked by Utah lawmakers to help develop a national program on federalism appointed a neo-Nazi to a leadership position within her own organization. \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/an-activist-playing-a-key-role-in-the-utah-legislatures-federalism-push-appointed-a-nazi-sympathizer-to-a-position-in-her-own-organization/)\] Senate Republicans are proposing selling off up to 3.3 million acres of federally land in 11 states, including Utah, as part of the tax cut and spending legislation. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2025/06/12/public-land-sales-proposal-senate-republicans-western-us/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Trump response to LA protests an "escalation of fear" for immigrants, a top Utah Democrat says. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/06/11/trump-response-to-la-protests-an-escalation-of-fear-utah-democrat-says/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Law enforcement preparing for protests in Utah this weekend. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/northern-utah/law-enforcement-preparing-for-protests-in-utah-this-weekend?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah officials worry decision on J-1 visa program could impact dual language programs. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51328720/utah-officials-worry-decision-on-j-1-visa-program-could-impact-dual-language-programs-?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Trans care ban "in the right place," Gov. Cox says weeks after Utah report found care benefits trans youth. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2025/06/12/cox-utahs-youth-transgender-care/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Vineyard may have mismanaged its taxpayer money for more than a decade. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2025/06/12/vineyard-rda-uses-ai-make-legal/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Advocates call on Sens. Lee, Curtis, to revive payments to downwinders in "big, beautiful" bill. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/06/11/advocates-call-on-mike-lee-john-curtis-payments-to-downwinders/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utahns complained of a chemical-smelling fog near US Magnesium. Here's why we may never know what it was. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2025/06/12/near-us-magnesium-utahns/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### NATIONAL Marines being deployed to Los Angeles have been authorized to detain anyone who interferes with immigration officers. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-cities-brace-more-protests-parts-los-angeles-placed-under-curfew-2025-06-11/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Donald Trump is suggesting expanding the deployment of military forces to other American cities, bending the traditional role of the armed forces. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/11/us/politics/trump-domestic-military-expansion.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says deploying U.S. troops to Los Angeles is legal, but he can't cite which law authorizes the move. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/11/hegseth-hearing-stumble-los-angeles-00400436?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Texas Gov. Greg Abbott deployed National Guard Troops to the sites of planned immigration protests. \[[Texas Tribune](https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/11/greg-abbott-texas-national-guard-immigration-raid-protests/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Senate Republicans are considering cutting tax breaks for overtime and tips out of the massive reconciliation bill they're currently working on. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/11/us/politics/republicans-trump-populist-tax-cuts.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Polling: Most Americans (53%) oppose the massive GOP budget bill. Just 38% of Americans approve of President Trump's job performance. \[[Quinnipiac](https://poll.qu.edu/poll-release?releaseid=3924&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Sen. Rand Paul says he was uninvited from the annual White House picnic over his criticism of President Trump. \[[NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/sen-rand-paul-says-was-uninvited-white-house-picnic-breaks-trump-rcna212499?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### INTERNATIONAL Israel is poised to launch a military operation on Iran. \[[CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-is-poised-to-launch-operation-on-iran-sources-say/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] An Air India jet bound for London crashed shortly after takeoff, apparently killing all 242 passengers and crew members on board. \[[ABC News](https://abcnews.go.com/International/air-india-plane-involved-incident-en-route-united/story?id=122762055&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump's $5 million "gold card" citizenship website has opened for business. \[[USA Today](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/06/11/trump-gold-card-open-business-waitlist/84158260007/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### ECONOMY JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon says the pandemic-era government spending that was boosting the economy has faded, leaving the U.S. vulnerable to an economic downturn. \[[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/11/jpmorgans-jamie-dimon-warns-us-economy-could-soon-deteriorate.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### EDUCATION The entire 12-person board of the Fulbright program resigned in protest of interference from the Trump administration. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/fulbright-board-resigns-and-accuses-trump-administration-of-unlawful-interference-3e7dcc3a?mod=hp%5Flead%5Fpos10&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### HEALTHCARE Health Secretary RFK Jr. named eight new members of the vaccine advisory board after he fired the group's entire membership. Several of the new appointees are vaccine skeptics. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/06/11/rfk-cdc-vaccine-committee/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### An activist helping to shape the Utah Legislature's federalism push placed a Nazi-sympathizer in a leadership role in her own organization URL: https://utahpolitics.news/an-activist-playing-a-key-role-in-the-utah-legislatures-federalism-push-appointed-a-nazi-sympathizer-to-a-position-in-her-own-organization/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T17:46:05.000Z A prominent Utah activist with direct access to top Republican lawmakers who has been selected for a key role in shaping the state's new [National Federalism Initiative](https://nationalfederalisminitiative.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) placed a Nazi sympathizer facing felony charges in a leadership position within her organization. Jen Brown, founder of [Utah Citizens for the Constitution](https://utahpolitics.news/684981bfce5e1800010bb34b/) and a regular fixture at Utah's State Capitol, has significant influence among Republican members of the Utah Legislature, where she’s been appointed to a non-voting seat on the [Legislature’s Federalism Commission](https://le.utah.gov/committee/committee.jsp?year=2025&com=SPEFED&ref=utahpolitics.news). This September, she's set to play a central role in a state-funded national summit at Utah Valley University, where lawmakers from across the country will gather to discuss federalism initiatives. Brown's role in that effort is under scrutiny following her appointment of Christian Drain, who has posted explicit pro-Nazi, racist and antisemitic content on social media, to one of her organization’s leadership positions. This year, Utah lawmakers approved [HB488](https://le.utah.gov/~2025/bills/static/HB0488.html?ref=utahpolitics.news), legislation they hope will put Utah at the vanguard of what will become a nationwide movement supporting states’ rights. The legislation tasks the [Center for Constitutional Studies](https://www.uvu.edu/ccs/?ref=utahpolitics.news) and the [Gary R. Herbert Institute for Public Policy](https://www.uvu.edu/herbertinstitute/?ref=utahpolitics.news), both housed at [Utah Valley University](https://www.uvu.edu/?ref=utahpolitics.news), with developing educational curriculum for public officials and policymakers in other states — with Brown playing a key role in that development. According to planning documents reviewed by Utah Political Watch, Brown is part of a team focusing on the “political” aspect of the initiative, responsible for leading discussions with state agencies to find opportunities for Utah to assert its authority against the federal government. That team will also “provide citizen education and obtain citizen feedback for use by government officials.” Brown’s organization has embraced far-right interpretations of the Constitution. For example, a 2023 event they sponsored featured David Barton of the ultraconservative WallBuilders organization. Barton, a pseudo historian with no academic credentials, [has been criticized](https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/08/genuine-christian-scholars-smack-down-an-unruly-colleague/260994/?ref=utahpolitics.news) for manufacturing facts and quotes to support his view that the Founding Fathers never intended for a separation of Church and State. Although she portrays herself as an expert on constitutional matters, Brown is a dentist with no academic credentials or background in constitutional studies. That’s why her appointment to such a prominent role in what has been envisioned as a nationwide effort is puzzling. Brown’s apparent influence in the Legislature makes her selection of Drain to help lead her organizations’ advocacy efforts particularly concerning. Drain has repeatedly expressed pro-Nazi views on social media and is currently facing a first degree felony charge for an alleged sexual assault against a minor. The structure of Utah Citizens for the Constitution is broken down into what Brown calls “Impact Councils.” [The organization’s webpage](https://www.utahconstitution.com/game-plan?ref=utahpolitics.news) says the plan is to have one Impact Council in all 75 legislative districts to connect and communicate with state legislators and advocate for policies Brown deems important. [Brown appointed Drain as the chair](https://t.me/UtahCitizens/2548?ref=utahpolitics.news) of the Impact Council in House District 31 last fall. “I live in West Valley City. I have a girlfriend. I know a lot about history,” [Drain wrote on the group’s Telegram page](https://t.me/UtahCitizens/3110?ref=utahpolitics.news) in December. “The impact council is very important for grass roots (sic)communication with our elected officials. If they do not know what their constituents want, they would go off on their own opinion, and that is not good.” Drain, who is 22, is also a state delegate for the Utah Republican Party and served for a time in the Utah National Guard. Drain’s pro-Nazi online content first came to light last week when [a website highlighting his X/Twitter account](https://www.christiandrain.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) appeared online. The two dozen saved pages from Drain’s X account are filled with posts praising Hitler and Nazis, holocaust denial, racism and antisemitism. There’s also a video of Drain taking part in a March 2025 [counterprotest at the Tesla dealership in Salt Lake City](https://www.ksl.com/article/51285497/dueling-demonstration-groups-converge-on-tesla-dealership-in-south-salt-lake?ref=utahpolitics.news). In the video, he performs what appears to be a Nazi salute while wearing a “White Lives Matter” shirt. [Drain’s X account](https://x.com/crazysarge76?ref=utahpolitics.news) is now private. Utah Political Watch [authenticated the posts featured on the website](https://x.com/crazysarge76?ref=utahpolitics.news) by comparing them with archived copies online. There is little doubt the account is his, since [he used his real name to post](https://web.archive.org/web/20200108231824/https://twitter.com/Crazysarge76/status/1211865989509341186) as far back as 2018. For a time, Drain’s username was “1488” a [popular slogan among white supremacists and neo-Nazis](https://www.adl.org/resources/hate-symbol/1488?ref=utahpolitics.news). “14” is shorthand for the “14 words” slogan, “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children.” The “88” stands for “Heil Hitler,” because the letter “H” is the 8th letter of the alphabet. Archived versions of his feed showed Drain’s profile picture was a meme of Shiloh Hendrix with red laser eyes and text reading, “Get the f--k away from me n**—**er.” Hendrix is the white [Minnesota woman who was videotaped](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/rochester-minnesota-park-racist-rcna204553?ref=utahpolitics.news) on a playground calling a child a racial slur. On Feb. 9, Drain wrote [“I hate...” followed by a racial slur for Black people](https://web.archive.org/web/20250210023820/https://twitter.com/Crazysarge76/status/1888779504170250552). He used numbers in place of some letters, apparently in an attempt to get around content filters. [He employed a similar tactic](https://web.archive.org/web/20250209185725/https://twitter.com/Crazysarge76/status/1888663509745168416) when using a slur for Jews. In addition to racial and ethnic slurs, Drain has reposted and interacted with explicitly pro-Nazi accounts. On March 16, Drain [reposted a video](https://web.archive.org/web/20250316072651/https://twitter.com/Crazysarge76/status/1901173298920333753) with a caption claiming President Donald Trump “announced to the world that he is going to expel the Jews.” The video was originally posted by an account that runs an online store selling antisemitic and holocaust denial-themed merchandise. He has also amplified memes and content [claiming “Hitler was right,”](https://web.archive.org/web/20250209225451/https://twitter.com/Crazysarge76/status/1888723262064193658) and posts calling the Auschwitz concentration camp [“Disneyland for antisemites.”](https://web.archive.org/web/20250209041037/https://twitter.com/Crazysarge76/status/1888440339209638035) When an antisemitic account posted “MAKE OVENS GREAT AGAIN,” [Drain responded with a photo of Adolf Hitler](https://web.archive.org/web/20250209013520/https://twitter.com/Crazysarge76/status/1888401264318546161) performing a Nazi salute. Drain is also facing felony criminal charges in Salt Lake County for an alleged sexual assault. In 2023, prosecutors charged him with forcible sodomy, a first degree felony, and misdemeanor voyeurism for an 2022 incident involving a coworker. According to charging documents, Drain - who was 19 at the time - and the girl were watching television in her room. After she refused his request that she perform a sexual act, she tried to leave. Drain allegedly blocked the door to keep her in the room, threw her on the bed and assaulted her. The voyeurism charge was added in 2024 after police obtained a video they say shows Drain engaging in intercourse with the girl. Court documents allege the video was made without her knowledge. Attempts to reach Drain for comment by Utah Political Watch were unsuccessful. It’s unclear when Brown became aware of Drain’s pro-Nazi leanings. However, a photo of Brown and Drain together at last month’s Utah State Republican Convention was recently deleted from the group’s Facebook page. Other pictures of Brown posing next to Drain, including [a January photo at the State Capitol](https://t.me/UtahCitizens/3349?ref=utahpolitics.news), are still on the group’s Telegram channel. Utah Political Watch attempted to ask Brown about Drain’s pro-Nazi leanings or the criminal allegations against him. She did not answer. Other questions for Brown about what sort of vetting process, if any, she uses when deciding whom to place in leadership roles in her organization, or whether she intends to keep Drain in his current position with her organization also went unanswered. Brown welcoming a Nazi sympathizer into her organization raises legitimate questions about her cozy relationship with Utah Republican lawmakers. She frequently meets with top legislators and state officials to discuss legislation and policy, often posing for photos with them, [which she posts on social media](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076033832834). Last summer, [she brokered a meeting](https://t.me/UtahCitizens/1849?ref=utahpolitics.news) at the Capitol between Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz, Rep. Karianne Lisonbee and Jay Valentine, a election conspiracy theorist who has ties to several prominent figures who pushed false claims of election fraud in the aftermath of the 2020 election. Valentine has been pitching states to purchase his “fractal quantum technology” as a way to root out potential election fraud. In 2025, [Lisonbee sponsored legislation](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-bill-could-hand-over-millions-of-residents-personal-information-to-election-conspiracy-theorist/) with a provision which appeared to be written specifically to facilitate the purchase of Valentine’s services. However, that section was eventually stripped out. She is a close ally of Rep. Ken Ivory, the chief sponsor of HB488, who helped give her a prominent role in one of the bill's initiatives - developing a curriculum on “constitutional fundamentals” that will be used to educate public officials from other states. “She’s a rock star,” Ivory said of Brown during a May online meeting sponsored by her organization. During that same meeting, Brown said she’s already making connections within Utah’s government. “We already had our first meeting with some people from the governor’s office, and we are working now on getting a point person for all the state agencies so that we can actually start meeting with them,” Brown said. Rep. Ivory and House Speaker Mike Schultz did not respond to questions from Utah Political Watch about whether it was proper to have Brown take such a prominent role in a nationwide effort in light of her group's ties to a Nazi sympathizer. They also ignored questions about whether Brown should keep her spot as a non-voting member of the Federalism Commission. Senate President Stuart Adams and Sen. Keven Stratton, who co-chairs the Federalism Commission with Ivory, also did not respond to questions from Utah Political Watch. Neither the Center for Constitutional Studies and the Gary R. Herbert Institute for Public Policy responded to questions about Brown’s affiliation with the National Federalism Initiative. ### *Got a news tip to share? Email* [*tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news*](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) *or* [*message securely on Signal*](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpoliticalwatch.news#eu/l4IQPeWeKIsOBd-X2AK6l8UYforaMXVE9koRqMQoSGE7KDRWRLBOer0pHYTwbCAz)*.* ### L.A. is not a 'war zone' URL: https://utahpolitics.news/684981bfce5e1800010bb34b/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:50:23.000Z ## Wednesday, June 11, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **62** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **146** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **510** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,245** ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Wednesday morning: ### UTAH AND THE WEST "The whole thing's dumb." Utah Gov. Cox blasts Pride flag battle with Salt Lake City. \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/the-whole-things-dumb-utah-gov-cox-blasts-pride-flag-battle-with-salt-lake-city/)\] Gov. Cox issues a preemptive warning to protesters: Utah will not tolerate violence. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2025/06/10/gov-cox-warns-protesters-against/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Gov. Cox supports Trump sending National Guard troops to quell riots in L.A. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/06/10/utah-governor-sides-with-president-trump-on-deploying-national-guard-troops-to-california/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Sen. John Curtis says July 4 deadline to pass Trump's tax bill is "false." \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51328023/sen-john-curtis-says-july-4-deadline-to-pass-trumps-tax-bill-is-false?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Sen. Mike Lee files formal legislation calling for the investigation of a prominent Trump critic. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2025/06/11/sen-mike-lees-new-resolution-calls/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] As Cox advances nuclear agreements, he says the cost to develop technology is nothing so far. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/06/11/cox-advances-nuclear-agreements-cost-is-nothing-so-far/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] "Downwinders" want Utah leaders to help those made ill by nuclear tests. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/downwinders-want-utah-leaders-to-help-those-made-ill-by-nuclear-tests?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah's alcohol control authority director to step down for private sector job. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/politics/utahs-alcohol-control-authority-director-to-step-down-for-private-sector-job?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### NATIONAL Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass imposed a curfew in the downtown area in response to a fifth day of immigration protests. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/10/la-mayor-limited-curfew-protests-00398830?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - All of L.A. is not a "war zone." Separating facts from spin and disinformation. \[[Los Angeles Times](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-06-10/la-ice-protests-truth-vs-fiction?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Tuesday that President Donald Trump is pushing America away from democracy and toward authoritarianism. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/10/us/newsom-speech-trump-la-protests.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - President Trump warned he would send troops into other American cities in response to protests over immigration raids. \[[Newsweek](https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-says-he-might-deploy-military-other-cities-2083750?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - The Trump administration is preparing to transfer thousands of immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally to the U.S. military base in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/06/10/trump-guantanamo-deportations/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Most Republican members of Congress surveyed said they would not be attending the lavish military parade President Trump is throwing on his birthday this weekend. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/10/trump-parade-congress-republicans-00398774?template%5Fid=OTJIR2CRKUD6&variant%5Fid=OTV1GDUJ5B1ZS&is%5Flogin%5Flink=true&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Elon Musk apologized for his social media posts attacking President Trump. \[[X](https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1932695486684950962?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Trump administration is considering slashing $8 billion in federal education funding to California. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/10/trump-administration-weighs-pulling-federal-education-grants-for-california-00397026?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Southern Baptists voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to call for the Supreme Court to overturn the ruling that legalized same-sex marriage. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/10/us/southern-baptist-obergefell-same-sex-marriage.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### INTERNATIONAL President Trump reportedly told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu he must permanently end the war in Gaza. \[[Times of Israel](https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-said-to-have-told-netanyahu-to-end-gaza-war-attacking-iran-off-limits-for-now/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] U.S. military leaders are exploring options to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-military-evaluating-options-prevent-nuclear-armed-iran-general-says-2025-06-10/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### ECONOMY Inflation slowed down in May, rising 0.1% from the previous month. \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/06/11/cpi-may-2025-trump-inflation?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump said that a U.S. trade "deal with China is done." \[[CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-us-china-trade-deal-done-tariff-talks-london-framework/?ftag=CNM-00-10aab4c&eid=7797489d4ea142699244cbfeff386b46080722aa&ET%5FCID=448583&ET%5FRID=65740514&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### ENVIRONMENT The Justice Department issued a memo on Tuesday saying President Trump has the authority to abolish national monuments. \[[Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/trump-national-monuments-california-3e90d2eb00364e4184acfd101a2bb7b6?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Environmental Protection Agency is set to roll back federal limits on pollution emissions from power plants. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/10/epa-to-repeal-climate-rule-power-plants-wednesday-00398136?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump says he plans to dismantle the Federal Emergency Management Agency after this year's hurricane season, leaving states to handle disaster recovery on their own. \[[CNN](https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/11/politics/fema-hurricane-season-phase-out-trump?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] May 2025 was the second-hottest month on record. \[[Politico EU](https://www.politico.eu/article/2025-second-hottest-global-record-eu-scientists-climate-change-dry-temperature-fossil-fuel-green-deal/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### TECHNOLOGY Executives at X threatened companies with lawsuits unless they started advertising on the social media platform. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/business/media/x-twitter-ad-revenue-campaign-lawsuit-a882b5c6?mod=hp%5Flead%5Fpos3&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### 'The whole thing's dumb.' Utah Gov. Cox blasts Pride flag battle with Salt Lake City URL: https://utahpolitics.news/the-whole-things-dumb-utah-gov-cox-blasts-pride-flag-battle-with-salt-lake-city/ Last updated: 2025-12-03T19:08:58.000Z "The whole thing's dumb." With those blunt words, Utah Governor Spencer Cox unleashed his frustration over an escalating Pride flag controversy that has pitted the state legislature against Salt Lake City. This year, the GOP-controlled legislature passed HB77, which only allowed flags from an approved list to be displayed in classrooms and at government buildings – effectively banning Pride flags. Last month, Salt Lake City exploited a loophole by [adding the city's sego lily symbol](https://apnews.com/article/boise-salt-lake-city-pride-flags-law-13c8f9f7269d1b33daaa7ef041c6c497?ref=utahpolitics.news) to the Pride flag, transgender flag and a flag celebrating Juneteenth. During his semiregular televised press conference, Cox made it known that he's done with the controversy. 0:00 /1:14 1× Utah Gov. Spencer Cox says the controversy over Pride flags in Salt Lake City is "dumb." "The whole thing's dumb," Cox said. "It's ridiculous," he added. "I'm sure they feel great that they (Salt Lake City) got around this dumb law, and they did it with dumb flags." Rep. Trevor Lee, the chief sponsor of the Pride flag ban legislation, recently lashed out at the NHL’s Utah Mammoth for posting a Pride-themed version of its logo on social media. [Lee has suggested he may run legislation](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-lawmaker-threatens-pride-ban-for-organizations-receiving-public-funds-experts-say-that-would-violate-the-constitution/) to restrict companies or organizations that receive taxpayer money from displaying Pride symbols, which experts say would likely violate the First Amendment. ### Tiptoeing around authoritarianism URL: https://utahpolitics.news/tiptoeing-around-authoritarianism/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:50:18.000Z ## Tuesday, June 10, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **63** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **147** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **511** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,246** ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Tuesday morning: ### UTAH AND THE WEST Senators advance Gov. Cox's pick to lead state public record office. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51327425/senators-advance-gov-coxs-pick-to-lead-state-public-record-office?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah lawmakers break with Trump, oppose AI moraturium in "Big, Beautiful Bill." \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/politics/utah-lawmakers-break-with-trump-oppose-ai-moratorium-in-big-beautiful-bill?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah Gov. Cox makes unannounced Iceland trip for Mormon history event. \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-gov-cox-makes-unannounced-iceland-trip-for-mormon-history-event/)\] What each Utah university and college is eliminating under state-imposed budget cuts. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/education/2025/06/10/utah-university-budget-cuts-what/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Wasatch Front water managers concerned by new usage trends. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51326449/wasatch-front-water-managers-concerned-by-new-usage-trends-?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Researchers may be underestimating the intensity of Utah's future big earthquakes, study finds. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/briefs/researchers-may-be-underestimating-utah-big-earthquakes/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] This Utah county is among the riskiest in the U.S. for wildfires – and now insurance rates are spiking. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/06/10/southern-utah-homeowners-wildfire/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The cost to access court records in Utah is about to go up. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51327555/the-cost-to-access-court-records-in-utah-is-about-to-go-up?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah No. 4 for childhood well-being, but there are rocky spots. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/family/2025/06/09/utah-child-well-being-kids-count-ranking-housing-poverty-hunger-education/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Loan company deems Salt Lake housing market as having one of the worst outlooks in the country. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/northern-utah/loan-company-deems-salt-lake-housing-market-as-having-one-of-the-worst-outlooks-in-the-country?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Dozens of environmental groups sign letter opposing return of Utah public lands sale. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/briefs/utah-public-land/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Wild bison crossing into Colorado from Utah gain protection under new law. \[[Colorado Sun](https://coloradosun.com/2025/06/10/utah-wild-bison-crossing-colorado-poaching/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### NATIONAL California Gov. Gavin Newsom says President Donald Trump is "unhinged" and speaking like an "authoritarian." \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/09/gavin-newsom-trump-is-unhinged-speaking-like-an-authoritarian-00394617?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - White House "border czar" Tom Homan says "there's no intention" to arrest Gov. Newsom. \[[CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/homan-says-trump-administration-has-no-intention-to-arrest-newsom-after-trump-says-id-do-it/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] White House lawyers are working to find a way for the federal government to carry out immigration enforcement without President Trump invoking the Insurrection Act. \[[CNN](https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/09/politics/insurrection-act-trump-miller-discussions?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The day before the Trump administration deployed U.S. Marines to Los Angeles, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to order the military to detain or arrest "lawbreakers." \[[SF Chronicle](https://www.sfchronicle.com/us-world/article/noem-immigration-protests-letter-20369001.php?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] A fourth court ruled President Trump's invocation of the Alien Enemies Act was illegal. \[[X](https://x.com/kyledcheney/status/1932219955023319077?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] It's looking more and more doubtful that Senate Republicans will miss their self-imposed deadline for passing the massive reconciliation bill by the July 4 recess. \[[NOTUS](https://www.notus.org/congress/gop-reconciliation-timeline-doubtful?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Three years after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, women are far more likely to identify as pro-choice than men. \[[Gallup](https://news.gallup.com/poll/691370/gender-gaps-abortion-reach-historic-highs.aspx?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### HEALTH Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired the entire panel of experts that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on immunizations, saying the move would restore faith in vaccines. \[[STAT](https://www.statnews.com/2025/06/09/rfk-jr-fires-every-member-of-cdc-vaccine-expert-panel-acip/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### ECONOMY Elon Musk's public fight with President Trump has caused his personal fortune to drop by an estimated $34 billion, the second-biggest wealth loss in human history. \[[Vanity Fair](https://www.vanityfair.com/style/story/elon-musk-loses-billions-donald-trump-fight?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Utah Gov. Cox makes unannounced Iceland trip for Mormon history event URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-gov-cox-makes-unannounced-iceland-trip-for-mormon-history-event/ Last updated: 2025-12-03T19:09:12.000Z Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and state Sen. Mike McKell, Cox's brother-in-law, visited Iceland over the weekend for what Cox’s office described as a personal trip funded without state resources. [Iceland Review](https://www.icelandreview.com/news/utah-governor-visits-islands-mormons-knew-all-about-the-explosion/?ref=utahpolitics.news) reports Cox and McKell were part of a group attending a ceremony for the unveiling of a plaque honoring members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who fled Iceland due to persecution and settled in Spanish Fork. The plaque adds [to a monument remembering Mormons](https://ensignpeakfoundation.org/mormon-pond-iceland/?ref=utahpolitics.news) who emigrated from Iceland to Utah between 1854 and 1914. In May, McKell was named as Utah's Honorary Counsul to Iceland. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DJXhQhhO9Ht/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Mike McKell (@mike.mckell)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DJXhQhhO9Ht/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) Cox kept the trip quiet. It was not listed on his official calendar, which only said he had no public meetings scheduled June 4-9. ### *Got a news tip to share? Email* [*tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news*](mailto:tips@utahpoliticalwatch.news) *or* [*message me securely on Signal*](https://signal.me/?ref=utahpolitics.news#eu/l4IQPeWeKIsOBd-X2AK6l8UYforaMXVE9koRqMQoSGE7KDRWRLBOer0pHYTwbCAz)*.* ### Moore says Musk was exaggerating URL: https://utahpolitics.news/moore-says-musk-was-exaggerating/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:50:13.000Z ## Monday, June 9, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **64** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **148** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **512** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,247** ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Monday morning: ### UTAH AND THE WEST Podcast: The royal hierarchy of Twitter dweebs. \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/podcast-the-royal-hierarchy-of-twitter-dweebs/)\] Rep. Moore: "Most everybody knew Elon was exaggerating...right?" \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/06/07/blake-moore-on-the-future-of-doge-after-elon-musk-donald-trump-fight/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Here's how Utah parents are spending their kids' school vouchers. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/education/2025/06/09/utah-vouchers-how-exactly-parents/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utahns show up to stand in solidarity with Los Angeles protests. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/politics/utahns-show-up-to-stand-in-solidarity-with-los-angeles-protests?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah can execute convicted murderer who has dementia, judge rules. \[[USA Today](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/06/07/maurine-hunsaker-ralph-menzies-dementia-executed-utah/84089942007/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] This city is exploring an unconventional solution to water scarcity: sewage. \[[NPR](https://www.npr.org/2025/06/09/nx-s1-5340702/climate-change-water-scarcity-sewage?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] A parched Utah community has asked the feds to resume review of a contentious pipeline project. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2025/06/09/southern-utah-water-agency-takes/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah Gov. Cox wants you and your family to unplug this week. Here's why. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/06/09/utah-gov-cox-wants-you-your-family-to-unplug-this-week-heres-why/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### NATIONAL California officials are urging calm after a weekend of protests in Los Angeles over immigration raids. President Donald Trumpbypassed Gov. Gavin Newsom to call in the National Guard and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggested U.S. Marines might be deployed to the streets. \[[Los Angeles Times](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-06-08/california-political-stakes?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Gov. Newsom pushed back against threats from the Trump administration, daring them to arrest him. \[[NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/californias-governor-unfazed-threats-arrest-trump-administratio-rcna211752?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Gov. Newsom says he's suing the Trump administration for deploying the National Guard to Los Angeles, which he called "unconstitutional." \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/06/07/la-ice-arrests-protests-national-gaurd/?ref=utahpolitics.news#link-ZKVYJOZYG5H7XPEFRNVFOOX7PE)\] - A slight majority of Americans approve of the Trump administration's deportation policies, mostly because of strong backing from Republicans. \[[CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/deportation-immigration-opinion-poll/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - International soccer fans are rattled by the Trump administration's immigration policy, which may be a factor in why ticket sales for the FIFA Club World Cup in the U.S. are lower than expected. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/08/world/americas/world-cup-soccer-trump-immigration.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Senate Republicans have just three weeks to meet their leadership's goal of passing the massive party-line tax and spending bill before the July 4 recess. \[[Punchbowl News](https://punchbowl.news/archive/692025%5F3-punchbowl-news-am/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The White House is reportedly struggling to find qualified people to serve as chief of staff and senior advisors to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. At least three people have already turned down jobs. \[[NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/white-house-struggles-find-qualified-people-willing-work-pete-hegseth-rcna211602?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### INTERNATIONAL Israeli forces have detained an aid boat bound for Gaza. Greta Thunberg and other activists are aboard the ship. \[[Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/mideast-wars-gaza-flotilla-greta-thunberg-b64e897fb37ee374e4494381304ff9be?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### HEALTHCARE More Americans disapprove of the job that Robert F. Kennedy is doing as Secretary of Health and Human Services. 43% say they disapprove, while 36% approve. \[[Pew Research Center](https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/06/05/more-americans-disapprove-than-approve-of-the-job-robert-f-kennedy-jr-is-doing-as-us-health-secretary/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### ECONOMY Staffing crunches are hitting national parks hard ahead of the summer travel season. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/research-restrooms-summer-staffing-crunch-hits-national-parks-after-trump-cuts-2025-06-08/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### TECHNOLOGY Sam Altman brings his eye-scanning identity verification startup to the UK. \[[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/08/sam-altman-world-eye-scanning-uk.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### The royal hierarchy of Twitter dweebs URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/podcast-the-royal-hierarchy-of-twitter-dweebs/ Last updated: 2025-12-03T19:10:08.000Z Utah's Republican members of Congress sure like to talk about how they're worried about government debt and deficits, but they're twisting themselves into knots to justify their support for the massive reconciliation bill, which will blow a $2.4 trillion hole in the budget. Rep. Trevor Lee had an outburst on social media after the Utah Mammoth posted a Pride-themed version of its logo, threatening legislation to force political neutrality on organizations receiving taxpayer funds. Experts say that would be unconstitutional. Sen. Mike Lee is in a tough spot amid the messy feud between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk. Lee also proposed a constitutional amendment to kick every member of Congress out of office if inflation rises above 3% - which is a recipe for political instability. Utah House Republicans reshuffled their leadership team, electing Rep. Casey Snider as Majority Leader. This comes amid growing tensions between the legislature and the judiciary, highlighted by calls for Judge John Torgerson to resign or be impeached. If you'd like to sponsor this podcast, email me at [schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news](mailto:schott@utahpolitical) Don't forget to [subscribe to the podcast](https://specialsession.podbean.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) and leave a rating and review to help others discover the show. ### Messy breakup URL: https://utahpolitics.news/messy-breakup/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:50:09.000Z ## Friday, June 6, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **67** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **151** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **515** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,250** ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Friday morning: ### UTAH AND THE WEST Utah records officer nominee fought release of public official's calendars. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/fox-13-investigates/utah-records-officer-nominee-fought-release-of-public-officials-calendars?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The forecast for Lake Powell continues to dwindle as experts say Western water use is "outpacing melting snowpack." \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2025/06/06/lake-powell-forecast-reservoir/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah's hot and dry summer forecast could kick up more Great Salt Lake dust. \[[KUER](https://www.kuer.org/science-environment/2025-06-05/utahs-hot-and-dry-summer-forecast-could-kick-up-more-great-salt-lake-dust?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Pharmaceutical company AstraZenica sues to stop Utah law expanding access to discounted drugs. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/06/06/pharmaceutical-company-astrazeneca-sues-to-stop-utah-law/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Summit, Wasatch counties pushing back on new redistricting requirements. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/politics/summit-wasatch-counties-pushing-back-on-new-city-council-district-requirements?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Fearing a robust wildfire season, federal and state officials impose new fire restrictions. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/06/06/fire-restrictions-issued-multiple/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah Gov. Cox appoints tax attorney to fill upcoming vacancy on Utah State Tax commission. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/06/05/utah-gov-cox-appoints-tax-attorney-to-fill-upcoming-vacancy-on-utah-state-tax-commission/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] University of Utah partners with controversial Israeli-spnosored school in the West Bank. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/education/2025/06/06/university-utah-partners-with/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] U. terminates Sigma Nu fraternity, citing "egregious" hazing, policy violations. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51325814/u-terminates-sigma-nu-fraternity-citing-egregious-hazing-policy-violations?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### NATIONAL The breakup between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk spilled into the open on Thursday as the two men traded barbs on social media. \[[Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-tax-bill-6e7845081259c34db785182c51569c0c?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - The epic brakeup of Trump and Musk's White House bromance. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/06/05/trump-musk-fight?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Musk backed a call for Trump to be impeached and replaced with Vice President JD Vance. \[[X](https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1930719235770359903?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Trump advisor Steve Bannon is urging Trump to cancel all of Musk's government contracts and investigate him as an "illegal alien." \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/05/us/steve-bannon-trump-elon-musk.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - President Trump said Friday morning that Musk "lost his mind" and that he was "not particularly" interested in speaking with him. \[[ABC News](https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/day-after-blistering-exchange-trump-calls-elon-musk/story?cid=social%5Ftwitter%5Ftw&id=122567621&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - 8 ways Musk and Trump could inflict pain on each other. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/05/us/politics/musk-trump-attacks-feud.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Congressional leaders are scrambling to save the massive tax and spending reconciliation bill after Elon Musk's vocal criticism of the legislation. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/05/elon-musk-mike-johnson-megabill-00390657?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Supreme Court ruled in favor of a straight woman who claimed she was the victim of reverse discrimination after she was passed over for promotions who went to gay colleagues. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/06/05/workplace-discrimination-supreme-court-decision/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Attorney General Pam Bondi is facing an ethics complaint filed with the Florida Bar Association, accusing her of "serious professional misconduct." \[[Miami Herald](https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article307770070.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement during President Trump's second term topped 100,000 this week. \[[CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ice-arrests-under-trump-100k/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### INTERNATIONAL Air Force Secretary Troy Meink says the luxury jet donated by Qatari for President Trump's use as Air Force One will "probably" cost less than $400 million to retrofit. \[[CNN](https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/05/politics/qatari-plane-air-force-one-cost?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Supreme Court blocked a lawsuit brought by the Mexican government against seven American gun makers. Mexico claimed the manufacturers were responsible for a flood of guns that eventually went to drug cartels. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/05/supreme-court-mexico-gun-lawsuit-00389108?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### ECONOMY Hiring slowed down slightly last month. The U.S. economy added 139,000 jobs, which was slightly higher than projections. Unemployment remained unchanged at 4.2%. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/economy/jobs/jobs-report-may-2025-unemployment-economy-87f19437?mod=e2tw&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### ENVIRONMENT Wopke Hoekstra, the EU's climate chief, says as the world gets warmer because of climate change, it will "quadruple" the likelihood of wars over dwindling resources. \[[Financial Times](https://www.ft.com/content/a1d0e1d1-104c-4fc1-ae12-1ffb508eab42?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Bill Gates backs Utah geothermal project URL: https://utahpolitics.news/bill-gates-backs-utah-geothermal-project/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:50:04.000Z ## Thursday, June 5, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **68** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **152** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **516** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,251** ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Thursday morning: ### UTAH AND THE WEST Utah lawmaker threatens Pride ban for organizations receiving public funds. Experts say that would violate the Constitution. \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-lawmaker-threatens-pride-ban-for-organizations-receiving-public-funds-experts-say-that-would-violate-the-constitution/)\] Bill Gates is backing this Utah geothermal company. Will Trump's Republicans? \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/business/energy-oil/bill-gates-geothermal-fervo-energy-043cf2f3?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah lawmaker pushes for short-term staffing boost to reduce teacher misconduct backlog. \[[KUTV](https://kutv.com/news/crisis-in-the-classroom/utah-lawmaker-pushes-for-short-term-staffing-boost-to-reduce-teacher-misconduct-backlog?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Utah Fits All voucher program wants families to reapply for scholarships that were already supposed to be awarded. Why? \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/education/2025/06/05/utah-fits-all-voucher-program/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Report: Utah higher education students received $1.6B in federal student aid awards. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51324298/report-utah-higher-education-students-received-16b-in-federal-student-aid-awards-?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] "The power belongs to the parents": Rep. Owens, Education chief back school choice and parental rights. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/06/04/department-of-education-hearing-removing-dei-burgess-owens/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah lawmakers discuss a way to prevent cavities: Give school kids gum. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/06/05/after-banning-fluoride-public/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah communities should prepare now for catastrophic wildfires, report warns. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/politics/utah-communities-should-prepare-now-for-catastrophic-wildfires-report-warns?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Trump signs resolution allowing for expanded motorized recreation around Lake Powell. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/06/05/glen-canyon-national-recreation-area-lake-powell-off-road-access/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### NATIONAL The Congressional Budget Office says President Donald Trump's "big beautiful bill, will add $2.4 trillion to the deficit over the next decade. \[[Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/cbo-deficits-tax-cuts-trumps-big-beautiful-bill-64d7de49aef62ba07b7f6f45c1ca73d1?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Republican senators are considering deep cuts to federal spending, up to $2 trillion, to make the tax cuts passed in 2017 permanent. \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/06/04/senate-republicans-spending-cuts-trump?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - 10.9 million people would lose health insurance under Trump's tax cut bill, CBO projects. \[[STAT](https://www.statnews.com/2025/06/04/trump-tax-bill-health-care-impact-cbo-says-nearly-11-million-people-will-lose-insurance/?%5Fhsmi=364843254&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Billionaire Elon Musk is continuing his social media attacks on Trump's tax and spending bill, urging lawmakers to "KILL the BILL." \[[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/04/musk-trump-tax-bill.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Trump administration is spending $2.1 million to study whether DEI policies played any part in recent plane crashes. \[[Atlantic](https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/06/government-investigating-whether-dei-causes-plane-crashes/683038/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Donald Trump has ordered an investigation into whether some of the policies enacted by his predecessor, Joe Biden, were invalid because aide enacted them without his knowledge. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/04/us/politics/trump-biden-investigation.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Former President Biden called Trump's investigation announcement "ridiculous." \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/06/05/biden-trump-autopen-investigation-mental-fitness?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### INTERNATIONAL Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Denmark will not yield to President Trump's "unacceptable" pressure over Greenland. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/denmark-wont-bend-trumps-pressure-over-greenland-prime-minister-says-2025-06-05/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### ECONOMY Under President Biden, the Internal Revenue Service doubled the number of audits of wealthy Americans. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/05/upshot/tax-audits-wealthy-biden-trump.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Private-sector firms added 37,000 jobs in May, falling significantly short of what economists' projections of 130,000 jobs. That's the lowest in more than two years. \[[CNN](https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/04/economy/us-private-sector-hiring-adp-may?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The U.S. trade deficit fell by more than half in April as imports plunged after President Trump announced his tariff policy. \[[ABC News](https://abcnews.go.com/Business/us-trade-deficit-narrowed-significantly-amid-trumps-tariff/story?id=122527635&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### EDUCATION President Trump suspended entry into the United States of foreign nationals seeking to study at Harvard University. \[[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/04/trump-moves-to-block-us-entry-for-foreigners-planning-to-study-at-harvard-university-.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Department of Education is going after Columbia University's accreditation, saying the school is violating federal anti-discrimination laws by allowing harassment of Jewish students. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/04/education-department-goes-after-columbia-universitys-accreditation-00386694?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Big budget cuts at the Department of Education have brought investigations of civil-rights violations to a standstill. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-department-education-civil-rights-offices-dc9c0176?mod=politics%5Flead%5Fpos3&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Utah lawmaker threatens Pride ban for organizations receiving public funds. Experts say that would violate the Constitution. URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-lawmaker-threatens-pride-ban-for-organizations-receiving-public-funds-experts-say-that-would-violate-the-constitution/ Last updated: 2025-12-03T19:10:17.000Z Fresh off his successful push to ban Pride flags from Utah classrooms, State Rep. Trevor Lee has a new target in his sights: private organizations that receive public funding. His latest proposal would restrict these organizations from displaying Pride symbols or celebrating LGBTQ events – a move constitutional experts warn would likely violate the First Amendment. Lee took to social media on Sunday to complain about the NHL’s Utah Mammoth posting a Pride-themed version of its logo. > Utahns overwhelmingly don’t support pride month. > We are the most kind people in the world and are taken advantage of because of that kindness. > Nothing makes Utahns more mad when political ideologies get pushed into their lives. And even worse, having taxes prop up these… [https://t.co/NzjUn52xVv](https://t.co/NzjUn52xVv?ref=utahpolitics.news) > > — Trevor Lee (@VoteTrevorLee) [June 1, 2025](https://twitter.com/VoteTrevorLee/status/1929302319684071793?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) “Utahns overwhelmingly don’t support pride (sic) month,” Lee proclaimed, offering no evidence to support his claim. “Nothing makes Utahns more mad when political ideologies get pushed into their lives. And even worse, having taxes prop up these ideologies. Watch for some significant legislation this next session that pushes back onto these woke groups!” In 2024, Utah lawmakers [approved nearly $1 billion in taxpayer funds](https://frontofficesports.com/ryan-smith-salt-lake-city-900-million/?ref=utahpolitics.news) for the Smith Entertainment Group, owners of the Utah Mammoth and Utah Jazz. The funding package, for Delta Center upgrades and surrounding area renovations, is what Lee wants to leverage to push for new restrictions. Appearing on a [Utah conservative talk radio show](https://knrs.iheart.com/featured/the-rod-and-greg-show/?ref=utahpolitics.news) Tuesday, Lee argued that accepting public money should require "political neutrality" from private companies – a requirement that would effectively ban Pride celebrations and similar expressions “This is just like the flag bill,” Lee said. “When the Smith Entertainment Group is going to be receiving close to a billion dollars from taxpayers, that’s no small amount of money, that is where I have some serious issues. If they want to be a private company and group, they can do what they want, but the minute they take taxpayer money, that is our money going to fund their agendas,” Lee added. Lee dismissed concerns about his proposal: “I don’t think it’s a threat to say that they need to have some restrictions or some strings with this money that we’re giving them.” But legal experts strongly disagree, warning that what Lee is proposing threatens fundamental First Amendment protections. While any legislation ultimately depends on how it’s written, Katie Fallow, Deputy Litigation Director at the [Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University](https://knightcolumbia.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news), explains that the course of action described by Lee would almost certainly violate the First Amendment. “Lee is proposing a bill that would require the company that owns the Utah Mammoth and Jazz to restrict their speech in order to conform to the government’s viewpoint. The First Amendment forbids the government from trying to control the speech or viewpoints of private companies through the threat of withholding funds, or by making the availability of funding dependent on the companies speaking in a way the government prefers,” Fallow explains. Fallow points to last year's Supreme Court ruling in [Moody v. NetChoice, LLC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moody%5Fv.%5FNetChoice,%5FLLC?ref=utahpolitics.news), which established that "a State may not interfere with private actors' speech to advance its own vision of ideological balance." Carolyn Iodice, Legislative and Policy Director for the [Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE)](https://www.thefire.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news), emphasizes that government funding [cannot be wielded as a tool to suppress expression](https://www.thefire.org/news/trumps-federal-funding-crackdown-includes-troubling-attacks-free-speech?ref=utahpolitics.news). “The fact that the government is choosing to subsidize an arena for the team does not grant the government any right to ban it from creating a logo for pride month — or for Christmas, the Fourth of July, or anything else. The First Amendment protects your right to take ideological viewpoints, and it's well-established that you don't lose that right when you receive money from the government,” Iodice says. Despite Lee's claims of pursuing "political neutrality," his legislative record tells a different story. Earlier this year, [he successfully shepherded HB77](https://utahpolitics.news/proposed-bill-says-stars-and-stripes-yes-rainbow-stripes-no/) through the legislature, making Utah [the first state to ban Pride flags](https://apnews.com/article/lgbtq-pride-flag-ban-utah-school-republican-ced0db22bd0ce8d37e010e9a65fec220?ref=utahpolitics.news) in classrooms and public buildings. In March, [during a meeting of the far-right Utah Citizens for the Constitution](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-gop-rep-threatens-blanket-ban-after-pride-flag-crackdown/), Lee said the main thrust of HB77 was “to make sure during Pride month in Salt Lake City that you’re not able to fly Pride flags all over the place, which is something people are sick and tired of.” HB77 was allegedly [one of the reasons organizers of the Sundance Film Festival](https://utahpolitics.news/report-pride-flag-ban-threatens-utahs-sundance-film-festival-future/) decided to leave Utah after its contract ends in 2026. During Tuesday’s radio interview, Lee insisted his latest effort stems from fiscal responsibility, not discrimination. Lee’s claim of impartiality toward the LGBTQ community rings hollow in light of his extensive history of public anti-LGBTQ rhetoric. - When he first ran for the Utah Legislature in 2022, [Lee was behind an anonymous Twitter account](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2022/09/23/gop-candidate-trevor-lee-ran/?ref=utahpolitics.news) that posted hateful and anti-LGBTQ content. - That same year, [Lee used transphobic slurs](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2022/04/29/republican-candidate-utah/?ref=utahpolitics.news) during an appearance on a conservative podcast. - In 2023, [Lee attacked the Utah Transit Authority on social media](https://x.com/VoteTrevorLee/status/1664114925239930880?ref=utahpolitics.news) over a post highlighting a Pride-themed bus. “Rep. Lee’s outrage over rainbow logos isn’t about policy — it’s about erasing LGBTQ+ people from public life”, said Ellie Menlove, Director of Policy for the ACLU of Utah. “It’s a calculated abuse of power, dragging Utahns deeper into a state of censorship. It may seem to start with one group, but it puts everyone’s freedom and free speech at risk.” ### Lee may reintroduce public lands sell-off URL: https://utahpolitics.news/lee-may-reintroduce-public-lands-sell-off/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:49:58.000Z ## Wednesday, June 4, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **69** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **153** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **517** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,252** ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Wednesday morning: ### UTAH AND THE WEST Utah Rep. Blake Moore backs away from Elon Musk's DOGE flop. \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-rep-blake-moore-backs-away-from-elon-musks-doge-flop/)\] Public lands sale may return to "big, beautiful" bill with Mike Lee amendment. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/06/03/public-lands-sale-may-return-to-big-beautiful-bill-with-mike-lee-amendment/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah has brush with measles before Memorial Day weekend. \[[Park Record](https://www.parkrecord.com/2025/06/03/utah-has-brush-with-measles-before-memorial-day-weekend/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah wants more career-focused education. This Davis County school is the blueprint. \[[KUER](https://www.kuer.org/education/2025-06-04/utah-wants-more-career-focused-education-this-davis-county-school-is-the-blueprint?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah Supreme Court justice to step down from the bench. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/06/03/utah-supreme-court-justice-to-step-down-from-the-bench/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Republicans in the Utah House elected new leaders. Here's who will lead in the Legislature. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2025/06/03/republicans-utah-house-elected-new/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] "Everyone's just scared": Clearfield Job Corps students brace for facility's closure. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51324284/everyones-just-scared-clearfield-job-corps-students-brace-for-facilitys-closure?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The BYU grad at the heart of Trump's trade war. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/06/03/trump-trade-representative-jamieson-greer-negotiates-tariff-deals-at-paris-conference/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] S.L. County shifting land to South Salt Lake for a new police station – right next to a homeless shelter. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/06/04/south-salt-lake-getting-land/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Layton leaders OK development plan around FrontRunner station, hope for "vibrant area." \[KSL\] Off-road vehicle access restored in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/utah/2025/06/03/access-restored-in-glen-canyon-national-recreation-area/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### NATIONAL Elon Musk is attacking President Donald Trump's spending bill on social media because it does not cut spending and increases the national debt. \[[Daily Beast](https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/elon-musk-keeps-on-dissing-trump-in-flurry-of-new-posts/ar-AA1G36h8?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Four reasons Musk attacked Trump's "big beautiful bill." \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/06/03/elon-musk-trump-white-house-relationship?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Some Republicans in Congress are having regrets about provisions tucked into the "big, beautiful bill," saying they were unaware of those additions when they voted for it. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/03/us/politics/house-republicans-policy-bill-regrets.html?referringSource=articleShare&unlocked%5Farticle%5Fcode=1.MU8.g0qm.VMnm3wxf3Xhw&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Some of the biggest donors to President Donald Trump's inauguration benefitted from early actions taken by his administration. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-inauguration-donors-benefit-2ff3121f?reflink=desktopwebshare%5Fpermalink&st=1AnHHA&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Justice Department accused two Chinese nationals of smuggling a dangerous biological pathogen into the United States for research. The fungus could potentially be used as a biological weapon against crops. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/justice-department-accuses-two-chinese-researchers-smuggling-potential-2025-06-03/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump is reportedly frustrated that some of his Supreme Court picks are not doing enough to support his agenda. He is particularly frustrated with Justice Amy Coney Barrett. \[[ABC News](https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-frustrated-justice-amy-coney-barrett-supreme-court/story?id=122468774&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] New Jersey Mayor Ras Baraka is suing Alina Habba, the acting U.S. attorney in New Jersey and other Trump administration officials after he was arrested by immigration agents at a detention center last month. The suit claims the arrest was politically motivated. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/new-jersey-mayor-sues-trump-officials-over-arrest-immigration-center-2025-06-03/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Trump administration is backing off a demand that states turn over personal information on food stamp recipients. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/03/us/politics/trump-administration-personal-data-food-stamp-recipients.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### ECONOMY President Trump attacked Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on social media, angrily urging him to lower interest rates. \[[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/04/trump-powell-adp-jobs.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump signed an order doubling tariffs to 50% on steel and aluminum. \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/06/04/trump-tariffs-steel-aluminum-50-percent?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### INTERNATIONAL A new study says nearly one million Russian troops have been killed or wounded in the war against Ukraine. Almost 400,000 Ukrainian troops have died or been injured in the conflict. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/03/us/politics/russia-ukraine-troop-casualties.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### ENVIRONMENT A television meteorologist in Florida warned viewers because of federal budget cuts at the National Weather Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, he would no longer be able to accurately predict hurricanes. \[[Mediaite](https://www.mediaite.com/media/tv/florida-weatherman-warns-he-wont-be-able-to-accurately-predict-hurricanes-this-summer-because-of-federal-budget-cuts/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Utah Rep. Blake Moore backs away from Elon Musk's DOGE flop URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-rep-blake-moore-backs-away-from-elon-musks-doge-flop/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T16:55:16.000Z In December, Utah First Congressional District Rep. Blake Moore embraced Elon Musk and his "Department of Government Efficiency" or DOGE efforts. Moore was named co-chair of the companion "Delivering Outstanding Government Efficiency" (also DOGE) Caucus in the House, which was supposed to work with Musk on cost cutting efforts. Six months later, Moore appears to be distancing himself from Musk and DOGE. Last week, Musk announced he was leaving Washington, D.C. and DOGE, but said the quasi-agency's work would continue in his absence. Initially, [Musk promised $2 trillion in cuts](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/musk-acknowledges-2-trillion-spending-cut-goal-long-shot-2025-01-09/?ref=utahpolitics.news) to federal spending, but later said $1 trillion in savings was more realistic. Now, DOGE estimates it has saved just $175 billion, but analysts say [Musk's effort has cost taxpayers](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/doge-cuts-cost-135-billion-analysis-elon-musk-department-of-government-efficiency/?ref=utahpolitics.news) approximately $135 billion or more. During a Sunday appearance on Fox News, Moore appeared to distance himself from Musk's efforts, suggesting the billionaire bit off more than he could chew. "The federal government is not Twitter. I think what he saw was this is a very dynamic, very complex organization, and let's ultimately do what we can," Moore said. "Yes, that is a significantly lower amount that was anticipated." Moore did offer a tepid defense of Musk failing to live up to his promises, suggesting DOGE's efforts were not wasted. "The things that they've been able to uncover and find are excellent. We need to focus on that and build on that." It's not clear what purported discoveries Moore was referring to. During his brief tenure in Washington, [Musk made a number of false or misleading claims](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/28/us/politics/fact-check-elon-musk-government-spending-fraud-claims.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) about fraudulent government spending. President Donald Trump [has reportedly asked aides](https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-elon-musk-relationship-64773ad1?ref=utahpolitics.news) whether Musk's promises of massive government savings were "bullshit." Moore's office did not respond to a request for comment from Utah Political Watch. In December, Moore was named one of three co-chairs of the House DOGE caucus, which was formed to advise Musk's cost-cutting efforts. Utah Rep. Celeste Maloy is also listed as a member. Politico reports the group has fizzled out – only meeting twice since it was formed. Business Insider reported the DOGE caucus [had planned to release a report](https://www.businessinsider.com/doge-elon-musk-vivek-ramaswamy-inauguration-first-steps-2025-1?ref=utahpolitics.news) of suggested cost-cutting measures at the end of the first quarter of 2025\. Just like Musk's promised government savings, that report never materialized. "There hasn't been a lot of interaction with us and the administration," [Moore told Business Insider](https://www.businessinsider.com/doge-congress-subcommittee-caucus-rescissions-2025-5?ref=utahpolitics.news) in May. ### Trump puts pressure on Senators to pass 'big, beautiful bill' URL: https://utahpolitics.news/trump-puts-pressure-on-senators-to-pass-big-beautiful-bill/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:49:53.000Z ## Tuesday, June 3, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **70** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **154** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **518** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,253** ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Tuesday morning: ### UTAH AND THE WEST Podcast: Trust the science...unless it conflicts with your politics. \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/podcast-trust-the-science-unless-it-conflicts-with-your-politics/)\] GOP lawmaker threatens "significant legislation" after Mammoth, Jazz celebrate Pride month. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51323631/gop-lawmaker-threatens-significant-legislation-after-mammoth-jazz-celebrate-pride-month?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Cox's pick to run new Government Records Office has a history of "haphazard" record keeping. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2025/06/03/coxs-pick-run-new-government/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Majority of Utah law enforcement have not complied with sexual assault data collection law. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51322853/majority-of-utah-law-enforcement-have-not-complied-with-sexual-assault-data-collection-law?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] New Salt Lake City police chief requests nearly $15 million bump to budget. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/06/03/salt-lake-city-police-chief-requests-nearly-15-million-bump-to-budget/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah Jewish community on high alert after Colorado attack; Local synagogue increases security measures. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/utah-jewish-community-on-high-alert-after-colorado-attack-local-synagogue-increases-security-measures?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Are Latter-day Saints shifting left? Here's what the data shows. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/06/02/young-latter-day-saint-voters-increase-support-for-donald-trump-in-new-election-data/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Nuclear fuel near you? Utah's agreement with a California startup will explore making the fuel here. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2025/06/03/utah-nuclear-energy-heres-what/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Federal dollars will go toward forest conservation in southern Utah. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/briefs/forest-conservation-funding-zion-national-park/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Developer angers Kane County officials by asking state to bypass them, approve planned city. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/06/03/kane-county-officials-angered-by/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### NATIONAL President Donald Trump is putting pressure on Republicans in the Senate to pass the massive tax and spending bill approved by the House last month. \[[Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-02/trump-presses-reluctant-gop-senators-to-embrace-house-s-tax-bill?srnd=homepage-americas&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Supreme Court left a pair of state bans on semi-automatic rifles and large-capacity ammunition magazines in place. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/06/02/supreme-court-firearms-ban-new-cases/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Trump administration has dismantled key parts of anti-corruption enforcement at the FBI. \[[NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/firings-pardons-policy-changes-gutted-doj-anti-corruption-efforts-expe-rcna200571?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Federal Trade Commission is investigating whether advertising and advocacy groups coordinated boycotts of advertisers. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/02/technology/ftc-investigation-advertising-boycotts.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### ECONOMY The dollar is down 0.7 percent, getting close to the three-year low it hit shortly after president Trump announced his "liberation day" tariffs. \[[Financial Times](https://www.ft.com/content/1d593248-df33-4bd2-b648-5338dfd9546a?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] 40% of Americans say they do not have a retirement savings plan. \[[Gallup](https://news.gallup.com/poll/691202/percentage-americans-retirement-savings-account.aspx?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Americans are cooking at home more and eating budget-friendly meals. \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/06/02/campbell-soup-home-cooking-economy?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### ENVIRONMENT The Federal Emergency Management Agency is scrapping a new hurricane response plan and reverting to last year's. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/fema-hurricane-plan-guidance-c5662d2a?mod=hp%5Flead%5Fpos3&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - David Richardson, who was tapped to head FEMA in May, told staff he was not aware the U.S. has a hurricane season. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/fema-staff-confused-after-head-said-he-was-unaware-us-hurricane-season-sources-2025-06-02/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The National Weather Service lost nearly 600 employees to staff cuts and retirements under the Trump administration. The NWS now plans to hire more than 100 people to "stabilize" the department. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/02/weather/nws-job-cuts-weather-service-hiring.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Trust the science...unless it conflicts with your politics URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/podcast-trust-the-science-unless-it-conflicts-with-your-politics/ Last updated: 2025-12-03T19:10:45.000Z How do Utah Republicans decide whether a study is credible? If it aligns with their politics, they embrace it - even if it relies on fabricated research. If it contradicts their agenda, they ignore it. Utah Democrats pick Brian King as their new party chairman. What will it take for the state's super minority party to start making an impact politically? Rep. Blake Moore was all in on Elon Musk and DOGE. Now he's trying to distance himself from Musk as quickly as possible. If you'd like to sponsor this podcast, email me at [schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news](mailto:schott@utahpolitical) Don't forget to [subscribe to the podcast](https://specialsession.podbean.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) and leave a rating and review to help others discover the show. ### Utah Democrats chart a new course URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-democrats-chart-a-new-course/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:49:48.000Z ## Monday, June 2, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **71** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **155** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **519** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,254** ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Monday morning: ### UTAH AND THE WEST Utah Democrats pick new leader, signal more aggressive strategy. \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-democrats-pick-new-leader-signal-more-aggressive-strategy/)\] As June begins, so do Utah fire restrictions. \[[KSL](https://kslnewsradio.com/environment-outdoors/as-june-begins-so-do-utah-fire-restrictions/2217528/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] How a hot dry summer could alter Utah's wildlife behaviors. \[[KSL](https://kslnewsradio.com/environment-outdoors/hot-wildlife-behaviors/2217190/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] University of Utah west-side campus: School gets $2M to clean up contaminated Rio Grande site. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/education/2025/06/02/university-utah-gets-2m-clean-rio/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] For this Salt Lake City building, energy efficiency, decarbonization are essential to function. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/06/02/salt-lake-city-energy-efficient-building-utah-clean-energy/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah Lake isn't "gross" anymore. Here's why, officials say. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/06/02/is-utah-lake-safe-why-officials/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Nonprofit distributes thousands of flags across Utah to kick off pride month. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/nonprofit-distributes-thousands-of-flags-across-utah-to-kick-off-pride-month?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah's biggest mansion – including Disney-themed rooms – heads to auction this week. \[[Mansion Global](https://www.mansionglobal.com/articles/utahs-biggest-mansionincluding-disney-themed-roomsheads-to-auction-this-week-86e75334?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### NATIONAL Eight people demonstrating in support of Israeli hostages held in Gaza were set on fire in a "targeted act of violence" on Sunday. \[[Denver Post](https://www.denverpost.com/2025/06/01/boulder-attack-pearl-street-mall/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - [Fox News reports](https://x.com/BillMelugin%5F/status/1929343593602597179?ref=utahpolitics.news) the suspect is an Egyptian national who is in the U.S. illegally after overstaying his visa. Republican Senators who are wary of cutting Medicaid could derail the massive tax and spending budget reconciliation bill. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/02/medicaid-moderates-gop-megabill-senate-00378510?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Senate Republicans may strip out a provision in the "big, beautiful bill" that blocks courts from issuing injunctions. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/06/02/will-senate-kill-house-gop-pet-policy/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Department of Homeland Security has removed a list of "sanctuary" states, cities and counties from its website after backlash from law enforcement. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/dhs-removes-list-sanctuary-cities-after-sheriffs-push-back-non-compliant-label-2025-06-01/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Donald Trump withdrew his nomination of Jared Isaccman, an ally of Elon Musk, to head NASA over political donations he made to Democrats. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/01/us/politics/trump-musk-isaacman-nasa.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### INTERNATIONAL Iran is set to reject a U.S. proposal for a new nuclear deal. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-poised-dismiss-us-nuclear-proposal-says-iranian-diplomat-2025-06-02/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### ENVIRONMENT In China and California, road surfaces are broiling. Highway surface temperatures in China have reached 158F. Scorching temperatures threaten power grids and could send energy prices soaring. \[[Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-01/is-record-breaking-heat-in-store-for-the-us-asia-and-europe-this-summer?srnd=homepage-americas&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### ECONOMY Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the U.S. "is never going to default" as Congress is facing a looming deadline for raising the federal debt ceiling. \[[Fortune](https://fortune.com/2025/06/01/bessent-us-debt-ceiling-default-congress-budget-x-date-deadline/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Analysts expect the dollar to fall about 9% in value over the coming year. \[[Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-02/morgan-stanley-sees-dollar-falling-9-on-slowing-us-growth-bets?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### HEALTHCARE Utah and Florida have banned fluoride in drinking water. A new study estimates if that ban were to expand nationwide, 7.5% more children in the U.S. would get cavities, costing an estimated $9.8 billion. \[[STAT](https://www.statnews.com/2025/05/30/fluoride-drinking-water-ban-could-lead-to-25-million-cavities-cost-billions-new-study-says/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] More than half of all the top trending videos offering mental health advice on TikTok contain misinformation. \[[Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/may/31/more-than-half-of-top-100-mental-health-tiktoks-contain-misinformation-study-finds?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Utah Democrats pick new leader, signal more aggressive strategy URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-democrats-pick-new-leader-signal-more-aggressive-strategy/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T17:19:16.000Z Nearly 1,400 Utah Democrats gathered at Ogden High School on Saturday to chart the party’s course for the next two years - one they hope will help them find success at the ballot box that has eluded them for decades. It won’t be easy. Democrats make up just 14% of the active voters in the state and are outnumbered by Republicans by nearly 4 to 1\. The party hasn’t won a statewide race since 1992. ### CHAIR’S RACE Utah Democrats opted for experience over youth on Saturday, selecting former Rep. Brian King to serve as party chair for the next two years. King told delegates that the party should be louder about what they stand for when communicating with voters. “I’m running for chair because Utah is ready for a Democratic Party that doesn’t whisper our values, but stands up for them,” King said. “Some people will tell you that Utah is too far gone that will never turn it blue, shouldn’t even try. That’s garbage, that’s cowardice.” “Republicans are serious about hurting people, and we need to be just as serious about protecting them,” King added. As an eight-term state representative and the party's 2024 gubernatorial nominee, King represents the Democratic establishment in Utah. He sees an opportunity to reach out to Utah voters who normally support Republicans, but might be turned off by how the Trump administration has handled the economy and immigration issues. “We need to reach out with an effective way of communicating to Utahns about what our values and help them understand more specifically how it is that we represent those values and priorities to a greater degree and more effective degree than the Republicans today,” King said. His main rival in the race for party chair was former Salt Lake County Democratic Party executive director Ben Peck, whose pitch to delegates was the need to take the party in a new direction. “It's not gonna be easy, but Utahs deserve a party that fights for working families all year long, in every county, and in every race,” Peck said to loud cheers from younger delegates. “We can’t afford to lose.” Democrats also elected Susan Merrill as vice chair, Brad Dickter as Secretary and Katherine Voutaz as Treasurer on Saturday. King says the most pressing need for the party is building up infrastructure by hiring staff. ### UTAH DEMOCRATS ARE FRUSTRATED…AND ANGRY There was frustration and anger among delegates on the convention floor Saturday. Republicans have dominated Utah for decades. Republicans control Utah’s congressional delegation, every statewide office, and have a supermajority in both houses of the Legislature. “I’m fucking pissed,” vice-chair candidate Oscar Mata said during his address to delegates. “I’m pissed that my daughter who was born two months ago, was born with less rights than her mother that was born 30 years ago. I’m pissed that there are folks that are getting rounded up that look like me and have a name like mine in broad daylight and being sent to detention camps in Central America. And I’m pissed that people like my mom, who is married to her wife, is one Supreme Court decision away from losing their ability to love who they love,” Mata said. Weber County Democratic Party chair Jeremy Thompson took a shot at Democrats in Congress for their fecklessness in standing up to President Trump. “We need leaders who don’t show deference to an old guard that has brought us to our reality today. Leaders who will do more than send a strongly worded letter with eight questions to a president who can’t read,” Thompson said. Democrats also criticized Utah’s Republicans for focusing on culture war issues instead of addressing urgent problems facing the state. “We have too much talent and too many ideas to be losing to a party that thinks libraries are public enemy number one,” quipped King. Ogden School Board member Stacy Bernal said Hispanic students in that district are among the highest-achieving in the state. “It’s because of our diversity, equity and inclusion programs,” Bernal wryly said during a meeting of the party’s Education caucus. DEI has become a conservative boogeyman during recent years. There was inspiration for Democrats on Saturday, too. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker was announced as the keynote speaker, but had to cancel his appearance because of that state’s legislative session. He did address the convention via recorded video. He urged Democrats to channel any anger or frustration they may be feeling into concrete action. “Voters didn’t turn out for Democrats last November, not because they don't want us to fight for our values, but because they think we don't want to fight for our values. Let's stop playing by those old institutional norms. Instead, it's time to fight everywhere and all the time,” Pritzker said. “Utah Democrats everything that we care about is under siege by a racist, misogynist, homophobic, xenophobic Donald Trump, the purveyor of chaos and confusion, who cares not at all about everyday people? I'm done with the same old, tired platitudes. Aren't you?” ### WINNING ELECTIONS The only way for Utah Democrats out of Utah’s political wilderness is to start winning elections up and down the ballot. They’re desperate for that to happen, but still trying to find the winning path. “There’s a tragedy in our party, and it’s a tragedy of losing. Every year it’s the same party leaders, elected officials and consultants saying we’re gonna flip this state. Yet every year, nothing happens,” Salt Lake County Council member Natalie Pinkney lamented. Jonathan Lopez, former congressional candidate and party chair contender, called for a new approach to winning elections. “We’re stuck in old patterns and the same leaders and the same losing strategies,” Lopez said. “One problem is people who have been in leadership for years and Party chair candidate Archie Williams, who curiously ran for Utah Lt. Governor under the American Independent Party banner last year, said Democrats only had themselves to blame for their predicament. “If you don’t like what’s happened at the Capitol, keep doing what you’re doing,” Williams said. “We’ve got to do something different, or we’re going to keep getting people like (Spencer) Cox, and they’re going to take every right away we have. They’re going to take everything.” ### Trump voters want a rubber-stamp Congress URL: https://utahpolitics.news/trump-voters-want-a-rubber-stamp-congress/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:49:43.000Z ## Friday, May 30, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **74** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **158** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **522** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,257** ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Friday morning: ### UTAH AND THE WEST "Landmark" health report backed by Utah leaders cites nonexistent research. \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/landmark-health-report-backed-by-utah-leaders-cites-nonexistent-research/)\] Supreme Court ruling scales back environmental law and backs Utah oil railroad expansion. \[[PBS News](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/supreme-court-ruling-scales-back-environmental-law-and-backs-utah-oil-railroad-expansion?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah lawmakers won't revisit pause on gender care for minors after report finds positive outcomes. \[[KSL](https://kslnewsradio.com/utah/pause-gender-care-minors/2217024/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Mike Lee's SAVE Act is unlikely to get through the Senate. But is it already working? \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2025/05/29/save-act-how-sen-mike-lee-spreads/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah Gov. Spencer Cox pushes local leaders for help with his starter home goal. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/utah/2025/05/29/utah-gov-spencer-cox-wants-more-help-from-local-leaders-on-his-goal-of-adding-35000-new-starter-homes-by-2028/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah Democrats to choose between seasoned legislator and young campaigner as new leader. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/05/30/utah-democrats-to-choose-between-seasoned-legislator-and-young-campaigner-as-new-leader/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Why water conservation remains a "top priority" in Utah after Cox's drought order expires. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51321700/why-water-conservation-remains-a-top-priority-in-utah-after-coxs-drought-order-expires-?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Here's where a subpar water year is already hitting Utah hard. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/heres-where-a-subpar-water-year-is-already-hitting-utah-hard?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] A Utah lawyer was punished for filing a brief with "fake precedent" made up by artificial intelligence. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2025/05/29/lawyer-punished-filing-brief-with/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah's liquor board denies license to owner of "anti-Zionist" bar, who threatens to sue. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/artsliving/food/2025/05/29/utah-liquor-commission-denies/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Trump administration pardons rapper NBA YoungBoy convicted in Utah for gun-related charges. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/05/29/trump-administration-pardons-rapper-nba-youngboy-convicted-in-utah-for-gun-related-charges/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### NATIONAL Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed an undocumented migrant sent a letter threatening to kill President Donald Trump. Investigators believe the migrant did not write the letter and was the victim of a setup. \[[CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/29/politics/kristi-noem-migrant-arrested-threatening-trump?iid=cnn%5FbuildContentRecirc%5Fend%5Frecirc&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Voters who support President Donald Trump want members of Congress to rubber-stamp his agenda. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/29/us/politics/trump-voters-congress.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Elon Musk's DOGE could end up costing the federal government more than they save. \[[CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/30/politics/doge-musk-government-savings?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Federal authorities are probing an effort to impersonate White House chief of staff Susie Wiles after an unknown individual reached out to prominent Republicans and business executives pretending to be her. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/federal-authorities-probe-effort-to-impersonate-white-house-chief-of-staff-65da0d59?mod=djemalertNEWS&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] During the 2024 campaign, Elon Musk's drug use reportedly increased dramatically. He reportedly was taking so much ketamine it was affecting his bladder. He also was said to be using Ecstasy and psychadelic mushrooms. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/us/elon-musk-drugs-children-trump.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Despite promises to dismantle the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Secretary Noem is reportedly working behind the scenes to keep key employees in place ahead of hurricane season. \[[NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/scramble-keep-fema-alive-ahead-hurricane-season-rcna209547?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### ECONOMY The U.S. economy shrank 0.2% in the first quarter of 2025, with weaker than expected consumer spending. \[[Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-29/us-economy-shrinks-0-2-on-weaker-spending-larger-trade-impact?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump's trade war has cost companies more than $34 billion in lost sales and higher costs. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/business/trumps-tariff-tally-34-billion-counting-global-companies-say-2025-05-29/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Home sellers now vastly outnumber buyers, pointing to yet another slowdown in the U.S. housing market. \[[CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/29/business/home-sellers-market-redfin-report?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] CEO pay rose nearly 10% in 2024\. \[[Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/ceo-pay-compensation-pay-ratio-perks-1b968327984edfc67486c2e0e3dc2fff?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### TECHNOLOGY The U.S. government has collected DNA samples from more than 130,000 migrant children and storing the information in a national criminal database. \[[Wired](https://www.wired.com/story/cbp-dna-migrant-children-fbi-codis/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### ENVIRONMENT A United Nations scientific panel says the Earth will warm 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels in two years. They warn that temperature represents an irreversible climate tipping point. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2025/05/29/15degrees-celsius-world-meteorological-organization/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] $14 billion in clean energy projects have been canceled so far this year in the U.S. \[[Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/climate-clean-energy-investments-trump-solar-wind-349e80c0d9c2cc768e63de9d48813d31?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### BRIEFLY Harrison Ruffin Tyler, the last living grandson of President John Tyler, has died at the age of 96\. Tyler, the 10th President of the United States, was elected 236 years ago. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/29/us/politics/harrison-ruffin-tyler-dead.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### 'Landmark' health report backed by Utah leaders cites nonexistent research URL: https://utahpolitics.news/landmark-health-report-backed-by-utah-leaders-cites-nonexistent-research/ Last updated: 2025-12-03T19:11:00.000Z Last week, Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz traveled to Washington, D.C. to represent the state for the release of what he called a “landmark report” from the “Make America Healthy Again” Commission. However, new reporting has found that several of the conclusions in that report relied on scientific evidence that does not exist. Last week, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. unveiled "[The MAHA Report: Make Our Children Healthy Again](https://www.whitehouse.gov/maha/?ref=utahpolitics.news)." [According to the New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/22/well/rfk-jr-maha-report-takeaways.html?ref=utahpolitics.news), "The document echoes talking points Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has championed for decades: the idea that our modern environment is making people sick, and that corporations exert too much influence on research and medicine." [A NOTUS analysis](https://www.notus.org/health-science/make-america-healthy-again-report-citation-errors?ref=utahpolitics.news) of the report's more than 500 citations revealed seven seemingly nonexistent studies. > Epidemiologist Katherine Keyes is listed in the MAHA report as the first author of a study on anxiety in adolescents. When NOTUS reached out to her this week, she was surprised to hear of the citation. She does study mental health and [substance use](https://www.notus.org/congress/narcan-opioids-trump-budget-republicans?ref=utahpolitics.news), she said. But she didn’t write the paper listed. > “The paper cited is not a real paper that I or my colleagues were involved with,” Keyes told NOTUS via email. “We’ve certainly done research on this topic, but did not publish a paper in JAMA Pediatrics on this topic with that co-author group, or with that title.” > It’s not clear that anyone wrote the study cited in the MAHA report. The citation refers to a study titled, “Changes in mental health and substance abuse among US adolescents during the [COVID-19 pandemic](https://www.notus.org/health-science/cdc-covid-vaccine-pregnant-women-children?ref=utahpolitics.news),” along with a nonfunctional link to the study’s digital object identifier. While the citation claims that the study appeared in the 12th issue of the 176th edition of the journal JAMA Pediatrics, that [issue](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/issue/176/12?ref=utahpolitics.news) didn’t include a study with that title. Several other researchers told NOTUS that they had never authored or worked on the articles bearing their names in the MAHA Commission report. In one particularly puzzling example, the report cites an article linking the rise of ADHD medication use by children to increased advertising. That article does not appear in the journal where it was purportedly published, and the author doesn’t appear to be a real ADHD researcher. Speaker Schultz and much of the Republican-controlled [Utah Legislature have aggressively embraced](https://www.governing.com/politics/why-utah-went-all-in-on-make-america-healthy-again?ref=utahpolitics.news) Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s MAHA agenda. During the 2025 session, lawmakers ignored dental health experts and passed legislation making Utah the first state to ban fluoride in drinking water. Lawmakers also passed bills prohibiting food containing certain dyes and chemicals from being served in school lunches and preventing Utahns on food assistance from using those benefits to purchase soda. Schultz traveled to Washington, D.C. last week for the release of the MAHA Commission report. “I know firsthand how important it is to put our children first — and that starts with bold, proactive policies,” Schultz wrote on social media. “I’m excited to see this administration take major steps to Make America Healthy Again.” > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ-qfWKO20E/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Mike Schultz (@mikeschultzutah)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ-qfWKO20E/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) Schultz did not respond to a request for comment about his support for the Commission’s report in light of the new reporting. Also representing Utah was Rep. Kristen Chevrier, a GOP freshman legislator who sponsored the food dye and soda legislation. While Schultz has credited Chevrier as the driving force behind Utah's embrace of the MAHA movement, her background raises questions about her qualifications to lead this initiative. Chevrier was elected by Republican delegates in a special election in December after then-Rep. Brady Brammer resigned his seat in the Utah House. Brammer’s resignation came after he was elected to succeed Mike Kennedy in the Utah Senate after Kennedy was elected to Congress. Chevrier has no medical or healthcare background. Her [bio on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-chevrier-35a32a16/?ref=utahpolitics.news) shows she earned a master’s degree from Brigham Young University in English Language and Literature. She is currently listed as one of the founders of [Your Health Freedom](https://www.yourhealthfreedom.org/founders?ref=utahpolitics.news), an organization whose purported mission is to “empower parents and individuals to make informed health decisions.” Chevrier is also a longtime anti-vaccine activist. Along with Your Health Utah, she was behind the organization [Vaccine Freedom Utah](https://www.facebook.com/vaccinefreedomutah/). “Four years ago, Kristen began her ongoing research into vaccines, the immune system, and vaccine policy. What she’s learned has lit her soul on fire,” reads [an archived copy of Chevrier’s bio](https://web.archive.org/web/20190311163301/https://vaccinefreedomutah.com/?page%5Fid=205) on the website’s “About” page. According to the Internet Archive, the Vaccine Freedom Utah webpage was still online until late last year, right before Chevrier decided to run for the Utah Legislature. [Its URL](https://vaccinefreedomutah.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) now points to the [Your Health Freedom homepage](https://www.yourhealthfreedom.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news). Last year, [an event hosted by Your Health Freedom](https://www.yourhealthfreedom.org/events?ref=utahpolitics.news) featured a keynote speech by Dr. Brian Hooker, who co-authored with Secretary Kennedy the 2023 book Vax-Unvax: Let the Science Speak. Among the [debunked claims contained in that book](https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/12/politics/rfk-jrs-long-complicated-history-with-the-measles-vaccines?ref=utahpolitics.news) is that MMR vaccines cause autism. In 2021, the group hosted [Dr. Peter McCullough](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter%5FA.%5FMcCullough?ref=utahpolitics.news), an anti-vaccine activist [who has promoted ivermectin](https://abcnews.go.com/US/group-physicians-combats-misinformation-unproven-covid-19-treatments/story?id=83097330&ref=utahpolitics.news) as a treatment for COVID-19. A spokesperson for the Utah House of Representatives says Rep. Chevrier was invited to take part in the Washington, D.C. event by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ### CEOs say they're raising prices URL: https://utahpolitics.news/ceos-say-theyre-raising-prices/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:49:38.000Z ## Thursday, May 29, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **75** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **159** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **523** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,258** ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Thursday morning: ### UTAH AND THE WEST Trump's approval drops in deep-red Utah. \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/trumps-approval-drops-in-deep-red-utah/)\] White House will send DOGE cuts to Congress as Republicans like Sen. Mike Lee ramp up pressure. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/05/28/mike-lee-wants-to-codify-doge-cuts/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Trump administration is pressuring Utah to kick immigrant kids off Medicaid. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2025/05/29/trump-administration-is-pressuring/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah Judiciary responds to controversy surrounding judge's comments. \[[KSL](https://ksltv.com/local-news/utah-judiciary-responds-to-controversy-surrounding-judges-comments/779770/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah's new "advanced" nuclear reactor for research, won't produce energy. \[[KUTV](https://kutv.com/news/politics/utahs-new-advanced-nuclear-reactor-for-research-wont-produce-energy?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Can the 2034 Winter Games help preserve Utah's quality of life? Here's what a former governor says. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/utah/2025/05/28/will-2034-winter-games-preserve-utah-quality-of-life-what-former-governor-mike-leavitt-says/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Cleanup has begun on a decades-old landfill in Salt Lake City – all for the Utah Inland Port. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/05/29/cleanup-begins-on-salt-lake-city-landfill-for-utah-inland-port/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah day care costs for two children balloon. \[[Axios Salt Lake City](https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/05/29/utah-day-care-costs-two-children?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### NATIONAL A three judge panel of the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled President Donald Trump does not have the legal authority to unilaterally implement tariffs on dozens of countries. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/28/federal-court-strikes-down-trumps-april-2-tariffs-00373843?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Elon Musk is officially leaving his role in the Trump White House after criticizing the massive tax and spending bill currently working its way through Congress. \[[NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/elon-musk-leaves-trump-white-house-rcna209636?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The White House will ask Congress to formally approve some of the spending cuts implemented by DOGE. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/28/white-house-plans-at-last-to-send-some-doge-cuts-to-hill-00372274?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The U.S. and Qatari governments have not yet finalized an agreement for transferring a luxury Boeing 747-8 jet for President Trump's use as Air Force One. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/05/28/trump-qatar-air-force-one/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### INTERNATIONAL Russian President Vladimir Putin is reportedly demanding that NATO pledge to halt eastward expansion and lifting of sanctions as conditions for ending the war in Ukraine. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putin-ukraine-peace-wants-pledge-halt-nato-enlargement-sources-say-2025-05-28/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Hundreds of starving Palestinians stormed a United Nations food warehouse in Gaza on Wednesday. \[[CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/28/middleeast/gaza-starving-wfp-warehouse-famine-intl-latam?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### ECONOMY Nearly 70% of CEOs in the U.S. say they will raise prices because of President Trump's tariffs. \[[Chief Executive](https://chiefexecutive.net/tariffs-68-percent-of-u-s-ceos-say-they-are-raising-prices-in-new-chief-executive-alixpartners-poll/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Trump administration relaxed restrictions on 401(k) plans purchasing cryptocurrency. \[[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/28/crypto-in-401k-plans-trump-administration-eases-rules.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Trump's approval drops in deep-red Utah URL: https://utahpolitics.news/trumps-approval-drops-in-deep-red-utah/ Last updated: 2025-12-03T19:11:24.000Z President Donald Trump carried Utah in the 2024 election by 21 points. However, his approval rating in the Beehive State, while still in positive territory, has fallen sharply since November. According to analysis by G. Elliott Morris at [Strength in Numbers](https://www.gelliottmorris.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news), Trump's net approval rating (approval minus disapproval) in Utah sits at +11.5%. To calculate state-by-state approval ratings, Morris uses Trump's national average approval rating, currently underwater at -8%, then adjusts for his 2024 vote margin in each state. The president's national approval rating has dropped from just over 50% when he took office in January to approximately 44% now, The number of Americans who disapprove of his job performance has risen from 38.7% in January to 52%. Trump's approval ratings dropped in April after his announcement of new tariffs, which caused financial markets to crash. Even though markets rebounded, his falling approval ratings suggest voters are still uneasy about his handling of the situation. According to Morris's analysis, Trump's approval rating is in negative territory in all the battleground states from 2024\. He's barely in positive territory in GOP strongholds like Texas, Ohio, Florida and Alaska. The president's highest net approval rating is in Wyoming at +36.5%, followed by West Virginia (+32.5%), Idaho (27.5%) and North Dakota (+26.5%). [Polling from Civiqs](https://civiqs.com/results/favorable%5Fdonald%5Ftrump?uncertainty=true&zoomIn=true&annotations=true&map=true&ref=utahpolitics.news) confirms the trend, putting Trump's Utah approval at +14 overall, but the generational divide is stark: Utahns aged 18-34 disapprove of Trump by a 17-point margin, while older residents still back him. Black voters disapprove by 47 points and Hispanic/Latino voters by 14 points. ### Can Democrats break the GOP's stranglehold on Utah? URL: https://utahpolitics.news/can-democrats-break-the-gops-stranglehold-on-utah/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:49:32.000Z ## Wednesday, May 28, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - **76** Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - **160** Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - **524** Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - **1,259** ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Wednesday morning: ### UTAH AND THE WEST Has the Utah GOP figured out how to finally kill SB54? \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/podcast-has-the-utah-gop-figured-out-how-to-finally-kill-sb54/)\] The GOP has dominated Utah for decades. How Democrats' choices for party chair say they'll change that. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2025/05/28/utah-democrats-prepare-pick-new/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Democratic Party chair visits Utah, says his party needs to reach religious voters. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/utah/2025/05/27/ken-martin-dnc-investment-in-utah/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Curtis defends clean energy tax credits his House GOP colleagues voted to remove. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/05/28/curtis-defends-clean-energy-tax-credits-house-gop-voted-to-remove/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] As family farms face pressures, Utah's House Speaker pushes USDA on policy ideas to help. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/politics/as-family-farms-face-pressures-utahs-house-speaker-pushes-usda-on-policy-ideas-to-help?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Feds green-light uranium mine in Utah, first project approved under Trump's energy declaration. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/05/27/utah-uranium-mine-approved-velvet-wood-project/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Farmington man charged with stalking Salt Lake City Mayor. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51320345/farmington-man-charged-with-stalking-salt-lake-city-mayor?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] A judge opted not to send a child sex offender to prison. GOP lawmakers are demanding he resign. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2025/05/28/gop-lawmakers-demand-utah-judge/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### NATIONAL President Donald Trump claimed that Canadian officials are considering his proposal to include their country in his "Golden Dome" missile defense system in exchange for giving up their sovereignty and becoming America's 51st state. \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/05/28/trump-canada-golden-dome-carney-eu?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Elon Musk was so annoyed by Vivek Ramaswamy, he asked Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine to appoint him to the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by JD Vance. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/05/28/ohio-governor-race-ramaswamy-dewine-jim-tressel-00371453?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The number of threats against federal judges spiked in March and April. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/27/us/politics/federal-judges-threats.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump says he will pardon reality TV personalities Todd and Julie Chrisley, who were convicted of defrauding banks out of tens of millions of dollars. \[[NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/trump-pardon-reality-tv-couple-convicted-federal-fraud-charges-rcna209349?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump threatened to strip federal funding from California if the state continues to allow transgender athletes to participate in girls' and women's sports. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/27/us/politics/transgender-athletes-trump-california.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### WORLD The Trump administration is considering requiring all foreign students applying to study in the U.S. to undergo vetting of their social media accounts. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/27/trump-team-orders-stop-to-new-student-visa-interviews-as-it-weighs-expanding-social-media-vetting-00370501?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Russia is massing over 50,000 troops near Ukraine's northeastern border in preparation for a large-scale offensive. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/zelenskiy-says-russia-has-gathered-50000-troops-offensive-northern-ukraine-2025-05-28/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Russia's war effort in Ukraine has become a major driver of its economy. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/world/russia/russia-putin-ukraine-war-economy-7e410058?mod=world%5Flead%5Fstory&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### ECONOMY Consumer confidence in the U.S. increased by 12.3 points in May, the first increase after five straight months of decline. \[[Conference Board](https://www.conference-board.org/topics/consumer-confidence?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### ENVIRONMENT The Colorado River is drying up, but a new study says conditions are even worse underground. \[[Washington Post](https://archive.is/20250527231044/https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2025/05/27/american-west-drought-water-colorado-river/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### HEALTH A deadly E. Coli outbreak hit 15 states in November, but the FDA chose not to publicize it. \[[NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ecoli-bacteria-lettuce-outbreak-rcna200236?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] More than 2% of Americans are taking GLP-1 drugs for overweight or obesity. \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/05/27/american-glp1-use-weight-loss-increasing?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] A new study found the mental health of mothers in the U.S. declined significantly from 2016 to 2023\. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/27/well/family/maternal-mental-health-study.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### BRIEFLY Two Secret Service officers have been suspended after they were filmed throwing punches at each other outside former President Barack Obama's home. \[[Daily Beast](https://www.thedailybeast.com/secret-service-officers-suspended-after-fight-outside-obama-home/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Has the Utah GOP figured out how to finally kill SB54? URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/podcast-has-the-utah-gop-figured-out-how-to-finally-kill-sb54/ Last updated: 2025-12-03T19:16:21.000Z Is the Utah Republican Party scheming to overturn SB54 and ditch signature gathering, restoring convention delegates as party gatekeepers? Utah's members of Congress say they're fiscal conservatives, but they won't explain why they voted for the "big, beautiful bill" that blows a big, ugly $3.8 trillion hole in the budget. A scary incident involving Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall underlines the danger of our current political moment. If you'd like to sponsor this podcast, email me at [schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news](mailto:schott@utahpolitical) Don't forget to [subscribe to the podcast](https://specialsession.podbean.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) and leave a rating and review to help others discover the show. ### Cox says no special session to overturn SB54 URL: https://utahpolitics.news/cox-says-no-special-session-to-overturn-sb54/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:49:26.000Z ## Tuesday, May 27, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock Days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) - 77 Days until Election Day (11/4/2025) - 161 Days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) - 525 Days until the 2028 presidential election (11/7/2028) - 1,260 ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Tuesday morning: ### UTAH AND THE WEST Cox says he doesn't plan to call special session to overturn SB54\. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51317986/cox-says-he-doesnt-plan-to-call-special-session-to-address-signature-gathering?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Trump-affiliated legal group sues Utah company for firing gay Utah Republican. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2025/05/23/trump-affiliated-legal-group-sues/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah study on trans youth care extremely inconvenient for politicians who ordered it. \[[Mother Jones](https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/05/utah-transgender-youth-affirming-care-ban/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] New Utah Tech president prepares for the university's largest class so far. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/05/27/new-utah-tech-president-prepares-for-the-universitys-largest-class-so-far/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Massive cricket invasion takes over Utah town, leaving residents overwhelmed. \[[Boing Boing](https://boingboing.net/2025/05/26/massive-cricket-invasion-takes-over-utah-town-leaving-residents-overwhelmed.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] With homelessness rising in this Utah valley, a nonprofit wants a year-round resource center. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/05/27/cache-valley-needs-year-round/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah wants less money from companies starting controversial mining projects. Here's why. \[[Salt Lake Tribune\]](https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2025/05/27/utah-mining-projects-will-be-less/?ref=utahpolitics.news) Nearly half of Utah's foreign tourism comes from this country, and they're not coming this year. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2025/05/27/canadian-tourists-boycotting-trips/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### NATIONAL President Donald Trump is launching an aggressive behind-the-scenes effort t0 help Republicans hold the House of Representatives in 2026 so he can fend off a third impeachment if Democrats take control. \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/05/27/trump-5-steps-gop-house-2026?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Senate Republicans are looking to rework the massive tax and spending bill passed by the House last week. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/05/27/trump-presidency-news/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Experts say the Trump administration's efforts to crack down on illegal immigrants using federal aid programs would mostly impact young children who are U.S. citizens with undocumented parents. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/27/us/politics/republican-crackdown-on-aid-to-immigrants-would-hit-us-citizens.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] NPR and other public radio organizations announced Tuesday morning that it was suing President Trump over his executive order to end federal funding for NPR and PBS. The suit claims Trump's order violates the First Amendment and that he usurped Congress's authority to direct federal spending. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/27/business/media/npr-trump-lawsuit-executive-order-funding.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Trump administration is set to cancel all remaining federal contracts for Harvard University – worth an estimated $100 million. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/27/us/harvard-trump-federal-funds.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The FBI is launching new investigations into the leak of the draft Supreme Court opinion overturning Roe v. Wade and the 2023 discovery of cocaine at the White House. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/fbi-announces-new-probes-into-dobbs-supreme-court-leak-white-house-cocaine-2025-05-26/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced more restrictions on the press, including banning reporters from entering large portions of the Pentagon without an escort. \[[Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/military-pentagon-hegseth-press-access-ff9ed0431848cae8816108a8b19c640f?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### INTERNATIONAL President Trump harshly criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying he had "gone absolutely CRAZY" for escalating his attacks on Ukraine while the two countries are negotiating a truce to bring the war to an end. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/25/us/politics/trump-putin-ukraine-attacks.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - The Kremlin dismissed Trump's criticism of Putin as "emotional overload." \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/kremlin-trumps-remark-about-putin-being-crazy-there-is-some-emotional-overload-2025-05-26/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump said Sunday he was delaying the 50% tariffs on European Union countries until July 9\. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/25/us/politics/trump-european-union-tariff.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### ECONOMY Americans have a dim view of the economy, with just 23% calling current economic conditions "excellent" or "good." 38% say economic conditions are "only fair" and 37% characterize them as "poor." \[[Gallup](https://news.gallup.com/poll/690986/political-economic-indicators-steady-may.aspx?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Millions of Americans saw their credit scores drop dramatically due to delinquent student loans last month. Scores dipped by more than 100 points for 2.2 million borrowers. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/05/25/credit-score-student-loan-elinquency-debt/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Tourists from countries hit the hardest by President Trump's tariffs are staying away from the U.S. this year. \[[Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/may/27/tourists-from-countries-badly-hit-by-trump-tariffs-are-staying-away-from-us?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] European sales of Tesla cars plunged 49% over the last year because of the damage Elon Musk has done to the company's brand and rising competition. \[[CNBC\]](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/27/tesla-europe-sales-plunge-49percent-as-elon-musk-brand-fallout-continues.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) ### HEALTH Nearly half the world's population could be diabetic or insulin resistant by 2050\. \[[Forbes](https://fortune.com/2025/05/26/half-the-world-population-potentially-diabetic-or-insulin-resistant-by-2050/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Briefly Texas will require public school classrooms to display Ten Commandments under bill nearing passage. \[[Texas Tribune](https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/24/ten-commandments-texas-schools-senate-bill-10/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Trump's feud with Harvard escalates URL: https://utahpolitics.news/trumps-feud-with-harvard-escalates/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:49:11.000Z ## ⏰ Tick Tock 81 days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) 165 days until Election Day (11/4/2025) 529 days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Friday morning: ### UTAH AND THE WEST SB54's last stand? Is the Utah GOP hatching a plan to end the signature path to the ballot? \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/sb54s-last-stand-is-the-utah-gop-hatching-a-plan-to-end-the-signature-path-to-the-ballot/)\] Teacher misconduct reports are rising, but shortage of investigators causes backlog. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/05/23/teacher-misconduct-reports-are-rising-but-shortage-of-investigators-causes-backlog/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] This Utah college is cutting more from its budget than the Legislature required. Why? \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/education/2025/05/23/salt-lake-community-college-cuts/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Salt Lake's popular farmer's market could soon go year-round. Can it turn Pioneer Park around? \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51317871/salt-lakes-popular-farmers-market-could-soon-go-year-round-can-it-turn-pioneer-park-around?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] This sprawling Utah city is exploding with new people – and still has room to grow. Do locals want it to? \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/05/22/eagle-mountain-fast-growing-utah/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Conservation group urges public support to maintain canyon trails amid rising use. \[[KUTV](https://kutv.com/news/local/conservation-group-urges-public-support-to-maintain-canyon-trails-amid-rising-use?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### NATIONAL Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revoked Harvard University's ability to enroll foreign students, and is forcing current foreign students to transfer to other schools or lose their legal status. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-blocks-harvards-ability-enroll-international-students-nyt-reports-2025-05-22/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Harvard responded by suing the Trump administration over The "big, beautiful bill" passed by the House on Thursday faces a swarm of objections from Republicans in the Senate who are vowing to make changes. \[[The Hill](https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5315185-trump-big-beautiful-bill-senate-gop/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The GOP megabill would only provide a modest .03% boost to the economy according to a nonpartisan analysis of the legislation. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/05/22/congress/jct-sees-modest-economic-benefits-from-house-tax-plan-00366795?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The massive tax and spending bill approved by the House contains provisions that would allow the Trump administration to use the tax code to punish political enemies. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/23/us/politics/republicans-taxes-trump-opponents.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The White House has pulled official transcripts of President Donald Trump's remarks from its website, replacing them with selected videos of his public appearances. \[[NBC News\]](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/white-house-purges-transcripts-trump-remarks-website-rcna208059?ref=utahpolitics.news) An image that President Trump said was evidence of mass killings of white South Africans during an Oval Office meeting actually came from a video shot in the Congo. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/trumps-image-dead-white-farmers-came-reuters-footage-congo-not-south-africa-2025-05-22/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Trump administration is seeking to end a policy that offers federal protections to child migrants in federal custody. \[[Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/immigration-child-migrants-protection-flores-trump-dhs-be793b0c864bd9a7ff593356a6f01f28?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### INTERNATIONAL President Trump says he is recommending a 50% tariff on the European Union after trade talks stalled. \[[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/23/trump-recommends-50percent-tariff-on-european-union-starting-june-1.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The U.S. is considering pulling 4,500 troops out of South Korea and move them to other locations in the region. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/world/asia/u-s-considers-withdrawing-thousands-of-troops-from-south-korea-725a6514?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### ECONOMY President Trump is threatening a 25% tariff on Apple's iPhones unless they're made in the United States. \[[Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-23/trump-threatens-25-tariffs-on-apple-if-iphones-not-made-in-us?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Home sales have fallen 2% from April of last year. Overall, home sales have been at 75% of pre-pandemic levels. \[[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/22/april-home-sales-real-estate.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Cybertruck is officially a flop, selling just 46,000 unites since it launched in 2023\. The car's value has depreciated by 45% in just one year. \[[Fast Company](https://www.fastcompany.com/91338704/tesla-cybertruck-is-officially-a-flop?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The popularity of labor unions in America has surged over the past decade as support for big business has waned. \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/05/22/americans-support-business-over-labor?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### MEDIA The Federal Trade Commission is investigating liberal group Media Matters, which published research on hateful and antisemitic content on Elon Musk's X. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/22/technology/ftc-investigates-media-matters.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Disney and ABC reportedly asked the hosts of The View to tone down their criticism of President Trump. \[[Daily Beast](https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-view-told-to-tone-down-trump-bashing-by-abc-news-boss/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### SB54's last stand? Is the Utah GOP hatching a plan to end the signature path to the ballot? URL: https://utahpolitics.news/sb54s-last-stand-is-the-utah-gop-hatching-a-plan-to-end-the-signature-path-to-the-ballot/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T17:55:27.000Z Attacks on SB54 are commonplace at Republican conventions. Delegates hate the 2014 law created Utah’s dual-path nomination system, allowing candidates to either gather voter signatures, win delegate support at political party conventions, or both to reach the primary election ballot. Convention delegates, who traditionally controlled party nominations, particularly hate this law because it diminishes their power. However, three developments at Saturday’s Utah GOP convention suggested growing momentum for the Republican controlled Legislature to ditch SB54 — possibly later this year. First, the sponsor of a proposal to kick signature gathering candidates out of the party yanked the initiative off the agenda, cryptically explaining that he had recently been made aware of another way to end the signature path that was under consideration. Later that day, Sen. Mike Lee issued a clarion call to state leaders and GOP delegates alike to take swift action to scrap SB54. “Mr. Governor, I ask you to convene a special session as soon as possible. Bring together the Legislature and ask them to restore the caucus and convention system,” Lee said. To drive his point home, Lee urged delegates to put pressure on lawmakers. “Who’s with me? I call upon all within the sound of my voice. If you agree with me, please express it in any way you can to your state senators, to your state representatives, anyone else who will listen. Tell the government to stay out of our nomination process.” Lee leading the charge on this issue seems hypocritical, since he collected signatures to secure a spot on the ballot during his last two re-election bids. In 2016, [he paid a signature-gathering firm $128,000](https://www.deseret.com/2016/4/23/20587177/less-than-15-percent-of-candidates-took-signature-gathering-path-to-primary-ballot/?ref=utahpolitics.news) to collect the required 28,000 signatures. In 2022, his campaign [hired the the same firm for more than $400,000](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2022/04/13/heres-how-much-utahs/?ref=utahpolitics.news). It would be easy to dismiss Lee’s comments as just red meat to rile up GOP delegates. But shortly after he was elected to another term as Utah GOP Chairman, Rob Axson joined the chorus of people calling for the end of signature gathering. “I’d like them (the Legislature) to repeal that (SB54),” Axson said when speaking to the media, adding that he believes they are already halfway there. “The votes are there in the House. The votes are not there yet in the Senate,” Axson said. “It’s going to take some time. How long or short that is, I don’t know. But what I do know is we have in our ability the opportunity to build a strong party, and that there will be a benefit in repealing SB54.” As author Ian Fleming wrote in Goldfinger, "Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times is enemy action." These three developments suggest Republican lawmakers may be preparing to eliminate the signature gathering path — and here's how they could do it. The timing for such a move would be critical. Any attempt to repeal SB54 or alter the signature gathering process would need to happen before Jan. 2, 2026 - the first day candidates can file to run for office next year. It would be very attractive for the GOP legislative supermajority to attempt a repeal of SB54 outside the regular legislative schedule because it would severely limit the amount of time for opponents to mobilize. When lawmakers decide to fast track a bill through the regular legislative process, it can take several days or even a few weeks. That same process is reduced to a couple of days in a special session. That’s what happened last year when lawmakers used an emergency session in August to place a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot to give themselves the authority to veto voter approved ballot initiatives. The whole process took a little more than 48 hours. - Legislative leaders issued the proclamation to convene the emergency session on August 19. - The language of the proposed bill, [SJR401](https://le.utah.gov/~2024S4/bills/static/SJR401.html?ref=utahpolitics.news), was released to the public on August 20. - The bill had one public hearing on August 21 in the Business and Labor Interim Committee. Later that afternoon, it breezed through the House and Senate in a little more than two hours. If the legislature chooses to go down this path, the only thing that could stop them would be any bill to change or eliminate signatures failing to pass with a 2/3 majority in both the Utah House and Senate. Not only would that make the legislation veto proof, it would also be referendum proof. Legislative leaders have likely learned their lesson from the referendum effort to put HB267, the union-busting bill they passed earlier this year, on the ballot. It failed to cross the 2/3 threshold in both the House and Senate, which was the only thing that made the effort to overturn the law at the ballot box possible. Opponents mobilized to collect hundreds of thousands of signatures, and Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson put the law on hold pending an official determination that it has qualified for the 2026 ballot. [Recent polling shows](https://www.abc4.com/news/politics/inside-utah-politics/signature-gathering-poll-results/?ref=utahpolitics.news) a plurality of Utahns (44%) prefer the current dual-path system, while only 12% want candidates to be nominated exclusively by delegates at political conventions. It’s highly unlikely legislative leaders would bring this kind of legislation to the floor unless they’re sure they have enough votes to avoid a referendum. The 22-seat Republican majority in the Senate could only afford to lose two votes and still be above the referendum-proof threshold. The margin is more comfortable in the House, where leaders could lose 11 of the 61 GOP votes in that chamber and still have 2/3 support. Should lawmakers muscle through a repeal of SB54 with enough votes to prevent a referendum effort this year, the impact would be immediate and far-reaching. Starting with the 2026 election cycle, party delegates would regain their role as gatekeepers to the ballot. According to voter registration figures from election data firm [L2 Data](https://www.l2-data.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news), there are just over 855,000 active Republican voters in the state. The 2,650 GOP delegates who showed up for Saturday’s convention represented just 0.3% of all the active Republican voters in Utah. It doesn’t take much imagination to think that a number of Republican elected officials would not be in office today if not for SB54. Sen. John Curtis’s political career likely would have ended in 2017 when he ran in the special election following Rep. Jason Chaffetz’s surprise resignation from Congress. Curtis was eliminated by delegates at the convention, but advanced to the primary by collecting signatures. Curtis’s decision to gather signatures paid off again in 2024 when Trent Staggs was the overwhelming winner of the delegate vote for U.S. Senate at the GOP convention. He won the primary and went on to an easy win in November’s election. Without signatures, Gov. Spencer Cox would be back on his farm in Fairview instead of the governor’s mansion after he was trounced in the delegate vote by Phil Lyman last year. Moving away from signatures and returning to a convention-only nominating process would be particularly attractive to Republican legislators in safe districts. For them, winning over a few dozen delegates would be far easier than facing thousands of primary voters. For example, Rep. Ken Ivory was forced into his first-ever primary election in 2024 when his opponent gathered signatures. Without SB54, the 38 votes he secured at the GOP convention would have been enough to win the nomination outright. SB54 was the result of a 2014 compromise between the GOP-controlled Legislature and organizers of a ballot initiative to do away with the convention role in nominating candidates for good. At the time, public polling showed that if the measure qualified for the ballot, it likely would have passed. Recognizing the existential danger facing Utah’s caucus/convention system, lawmakers agreed to create the alternate signature path to the ballot in exchange for abandoning the initiative effort. Repealing SB54 would break that deal, and likely lead to a renewed effort to put the measure to kill party nominating conventions on the ballot. However, organizers would be left scrambling. To qualify an initiative for the 2026 ballot, organizers would have until Feb. 15 to collect signatures from 8% of registered voters in Utah - just over 140,000 statewide. They also must reach that 8% threshold in 26 of 29 state Senate Districts. In addition to the signature requirement, lawmakers have added several new hurdles to the initiative process. While paid petition circulators can be paid for each valid signature they collect when they’re working for a candidate, they can only be paid hourly when working on a ballot initiative. Sponsors must also hold at least seven public hearings about the initiative across the state before collecting signatures. Each hearing must be at least one hour long and include an hour for public comment. During the 2025 session, lawmakers added a new requirement that sponsors include a detailed breakdown of how the new law would be funded and whether it required a tax increase. Sponsors are also required to publish the proposed law in newspapers around the state for at least 60 days before the election, which could cost more than $1 million. Were a potential ballot initiative aiming to undo the repeal of SB54 to qualify for the 2026 ballot and pass, it would be in effect for the 2028 election. If the effort to put the issue on the 2026 ballot fell short, organizers would be blocked from trying again for two years. Realistically, repealing SB54 would freeze signature gathering candidates out of the GOP through 2028 at least. That means GOP delegates would decide the party’s nominee for governor. Instead of a Spencer Cox-type signature candidate, delegates would likely pick a conservative hardliner to head up the GOP ticket. That would be a massive advantage for the eventual nominee since it’s been more than 30 years since a Democrat won a statewide election in Utah. Previous attempts to repeal SB54 have fallen short. In 2023, Rep. Jordan Teuscher offered up [HB393](https://le.utah.gov/~2023/bills/static/HB0393.html?ref=utahpolitics.news), which proposed canceling a primary election if a candidate received 70% of the vote at convention, kicking signature gathering candidates off the ballot. That bill passed the House, but stalled in the Senate. In 2021, Sen. Dan McCay’s [SB205](https://le.utah.gov/~2021/bills/static/SB0205.html?ref=utahpolitics.news), sought to allow political parties to nominate candidates exclusively through the convention path so long as they raised the threshold for winning the nomination outright to 66%. The bill died on the Senate floor, but he was able to [rally enough support to resurrect the proposal](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2021/02/26/utah-senate-kills-then/801-237-2900/?ref=utahpolitics.news). Eventually, it died without further action. But this time feels different. With coordinated messaging from party leadership, a potential special session strategy, and a legislative supermajority that could block referendum efforts, SB54's opponents may have finally found their moment. The question isn't just whether they'll succeed, but whether Utah voters will have any recourse if they do. ### House GOP passes Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' URL: https://utahpolitics.news/house-gop-passes-trumps-big-beautiful-bill/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:49:06.000Z ## Thursday, May 22, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock 82 days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) 166 days until Election Day (11/4/2025) 530 days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) Thank you for being one of more than 1,200 people supporting Utah Political Watch with your free subscription. I'm so thankful to have you as a reader! "Morning News Fix" is a subscriber-exclusive newsletter curating the morning's top news headlines to help you get informed before starting your day. 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[Upgrade to paid ](https://utahpolitics.news/membership/) ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Thursday morning: ### UTAH AND THE WEST Utah's GOP members of Congress duck questions on $4 trillion deficit bomb. \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/utahs-gop-members-of-congress-duck-questions-on-4-trillion-deficit-bomb/)\] Republicans remove language in Trump budget bill to sell public lands in Utah. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/05/21/republicans-wont-sell-utah-public-lands/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Farmington man arrested on stalking charge over Salt Lake mayor's proposed city flags. \[[KUTV](https://kutv.com/news/local/farmington-man-arrested-on-stalking-charge-over-salt-lake-mayors-proposed-city-flags?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Is Mike Lee the establishment now? Here's why some Lyman Republicans think so. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/05/21/utah-gop-delegates-revolt-against-senator-mike-lee-after-phil-lyman-loses-race-for-gop-chair/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah lawmakers' own study found gender-affirming care benefits trans youth. Will they lift the treatment ban? \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2025/05/22/utah-lawmakers-own-study-found/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah Legislature to consider extending school lunch breaks. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/05/21/utah-legislature-to-consider-extending-school-lunch-breaks/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah Senate unanimously approves Cox's pick to head a state department – without asking about his checkered past. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2025/05/22/kelly-pehrson-coxs-pick-run-utah/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Buoys, toilets, fees – Lake Powell boaters frustrated with National Park Service. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/fox-13-investigates/buoys-toilets-fees-lake-powell-boaters-frustrated-with-national-park-service?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah commission chairman defends approval of Rocky Mountain Power 4.7% rate increase. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51317193/utah-commission-chairman-defends-approval-of-rocky-mountain-power-47-rate-increase?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah's new state superintendent was just selected. Here's what we know. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/education/2025/05/21/utahs-new-state-superintendent/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Shifting foreign aid from taxpayers to tithe payers? Senator suggests LDS Church, other groups can help fill void. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2025/05/21/taxpayers-tithe-payers-lds-church/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] "Mind-boggling" amounts of fentanyl in Utah comes from the southern border, A.G. Derek Brown says. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2025/05/21/utah-ag-derek-brown-praises/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### NATIONAL The Republican-led House of Representatives passed President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill" by a single vote on Thursday morning. Here's what's in it. \[[NPR](https://www.npr.org/2025/05/21/nx-s1-5406392/trump-republicans-tax-bill-reconciliation-medicaid?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - The GOP megabill approved by the House on Thursday cuts SNAP – food stamps – by 30%, which is the biggest cut in the program's history. \[[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/21/snap-benefits-food-stamps-face-cuts-under-gop-tax-bill.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - The Republican spending bill adds to the nation's $36 trillion debt load, which has triggered a negative reaction in the bond market. \[[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/21/republican-spending-bill-driving-up-yields-and-creating-a-major-headache.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - The GOP budget bill will trigger more than $500 billion in automatic cuts to Medicare. \[[Press release](https://democrats-budget.house.gov/news/press-releases/cbo-confirms-gop-budget-bill-triggers-medicare-cuts?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Almost five full pages of changes to the bill made by Republicans were nothing but striking out the word "MAGA" and replacing it with "Trump." \[[X](https://x.com/jamiedupree/status/1925356481941049576?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Pentagon took possession of a Qatari luxury jet for President Trump to use as Air Force One. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/05/21/qatar-plane-air-force-one/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Two staff members of the Israeli Embassy were shot and killed Wednesday evening. The suspect allegedly yelled, "Free Palestine" after he was arrested. \[[Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/israel-embassy-jewish-museum-shooting-10307b3b1a2a337e76730736b12ebbcb?taid=682edfbdf37255000191e047&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### INTERNATIONAL President Trump privately told European leaders that Russian President Vladimir Putin was not ready to end the war in Ukraine becuase he thinks he's winning. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/trump-putin-call-russia-ukraine-83a6ef59?mod=mhp&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump made several false claims about so-called "white genocide" – the alleged persecution of South Africa's white minority – during an Oval Office meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-makes-false-claims-white-genocide-south-africa-during-ramaphosa-meeting-2025-05-21/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - During the meeting, Trump played a social media video he claimed showed the "burial sites" of "over 1,000" white farmers in South Africa. That wasn't true. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/21/us/politics/trump-south-africa-president-white-farmers-video.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump's "gold card" program allowing people to buy permanent U.S. residency for $5 million will launch within a week. \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/05/21/trump-gold-card-lutnick?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### ECONOMY Bitcoin rose to a new all-time high on Wednesday, reaching $108,955.10\. \[[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/21/crypto-market-today.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Walmart plans to cut around 1,500 corporate jobs in a cost-cutting restructuring move. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/business/retail/walmart-layoffs-reorganization-2abd46eb?mod=hp%5Flead%5Fpos5&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### HEALTH A measles outbreak in El Paso, Texas is mostly affecting adults, not school children. \[[Texas Tribune](https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/21/texas-el-paso-measles/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Utah's GOP members of Congress duck questions on $4 trillion deficit bomb URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utahs-gop-members-of-congress-duck-questions-on-4-trillion-deficit-bomb/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T16:55:30.000Z Utah's Republican House members have frequently portrayed themselves as budget hawks and guardians of fiscal responsibility. But, when asked about a new analysis showing their party's latest tax package could blast a $4 trillion hole in the federal budget, they remained silent. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office [delivered a brutal assessment](https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/2025-05/61422-Reconciliation-Distributional-Analysis.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news) of the 2025 reconciliation bill, concluding the One Big Beautiful Bill Act would increase the federal deficit by $3.8 trillion by 2034, mostly by extending the tax cuts passed during President Donald Trump’s first term. The analysis found that the nation's wealthiest would reap massive tax breaks under the plan, while America's most vulnerable citizens would face deep cuts to essential services: - The proposal cuts roughly $700 billion from Medicaid. - $267 billion in reduced federal spending on SNAP, more commonly known as food stamps. Rep. Blake Moore, who sits on the House Ways and Means Committee and House Budget Committee, is part of the [Bipartisan Fiscal Forum](https://scottpeters.house.gov/bipartisan%20fiscal%20forum?ref=utahpolitics.news) — a group of Congressional Democrats and Republicans who are focused on the “nation’s unsustainable debt trajectory.” Last year, Moore [slammed the Biden administration](https://www.yahoo.com/news/biden-policies-unsustainable-utah-reps-205156439.html?guccounter=1&ref=utahpolitics.news) for failing to address government spending that contributed to a growing federal deficit. In a taped video message played for Republican delegates at Saturday’s Utah GOP Convention, Moore said extending the 2017 Trump tax cuts was a critical priority. “This is extremely pro-growth policy that helps grow the economy, increase revenues and does wholly good things for American families and businesses,” Moore said. Moore, who is also a [co-chair of the House DOGE Caucus](https://bean.house.gov/doge-caucus?ref=utahpolitics.news), which is focused on cutting wasteful government spending, did not respond to questions about how he squares his opposition to federal deficits with the CBO analysis of the reconciliation package. In 2021, Rep. Burgess Owens [attacked Congressional Democrats and the Biden administration](https://owens.house.gov/posts/owens-statement-on-democrats-socialist-tax-and-spending-bill?ref=utahpolitics.news) when the [CBO concluded the Build Back Better Act](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/18/build-back-better-act-vote-cbo-releases-score-of-biden-plan.html?ref=utahpolitics.news) would increase the federal deficit by $367 billion, calling the spending bill a “scam” that would “cripple families in Utah and across the country.” At Saturday’s GOP convention, Owens also threw his support behind the megabill, suggesting it was also getting a boost from the divine. “I expect us to get this big, beautiful bill together, get it done,” Owens said. “Heavenly Father has a perfect plan. And his plan says we have the right president, and know that with this perfect plan, we’re going to come out as big winners on this one.” Owens’s office did not respond to questions about the new CBO analysis from Utah Political Watch. Rep. Mike Kennedy has also warned about how the national debt will impact future generations. “In Washington, D.C., it seems like we have a constant credit card. But the worst thing about that credit card is it’s on our great-grandchildren’s tab,” Kennedy said to GOP delegates on Saturday. Kennedy, who is a physician, has pushed back against claims that the reconciliation package would lead to Americans losing healthcare coverage, [dismissing those concerns as “fearmongering.”](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2025/03/14/will-trumps-budget-cuts-slash/?ref=utahpolitics.news) The CBO says that because of spending cuts in the reconciliation package, approximately 15 million Americans would lose their health coverage. Instead, Kennedy claims the Medicaid program is rife with fraud and abuse, and any cuts would be addressing that problem. “It’s shocking to watch. Right now, there’s over a million illegal immigrants on Medicaid,” Kennedy said on Saturday. To that end, he’s sponsoring legislation to require proof of citizenship for Medicaid recipients to help cut spending. “We should have done this 30 years ago, is that if you are an illegal alien, you will not be on Medicaid. You need to prove citizenship before you get on Medicaid. We as United States citizens do not have the money or capacity to feed, clothe and give health care to the whole world.” Kennedy’s office did not answer questions about the CBO analysis of the reconciliation package. Rep. Celeste Maloy has not been as outspoken on debt and deficits as her colleagues in the delegation. However, she did join the [DOGE caucus](https://maloy.house.gov/about/committees-and-caucuses.htm?ref=utahpolitics.news), a group of Republican lawmakers focused on efforts “to dismantle the out-of-control bureaucracy, cut wasteful programs, slash excess regulations, and restructure federal agencies,” when it was first formed. Maloy also sent a taped message to GOP delegates on Saturday where she dismissed criticism of the reconciliation bill. “We’re getting really close on Trump’s one big, beautiful bill, the reconciliation bill you’ve heard so much about. There’s a lot of hype out there, a lot of bad headlines. But, don’t forget, it’s a great time to be a Republican,” Maloy said. “The American people can see we’re serious about delivering on our promises.” Just like her colleagues, Maloy’s office did not respond to questions about the CBO analysis from Utah Political Watch. ### Cutting taxes for the wealthy while cutting benefits for poorer Americans URL: https://utahpolitics.news/cutting-taxes-for-the-wealthy-while-cutting-benefits-for-poorer-americans/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:49:01.000Z ## Wednesday, May 21, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock 83 days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) 167 days until Election Day (11/4/2025) 531 days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) Thank you for being one of more than 1,200 people supporting Utah Political Watch with your free subscription. I'm so thankful to have you as a reader! "Morning News Fix" is a subscriber-exclusive newsletter curating the morning's top news headlines to help you get informed before starting your day. As an independent watchdog journalist, I work tirelessly to hold elected officials accountable and keep you informed about Utah politics. This vital work takes time, resources, and dedication. Support impactful local journalism by becoming a paid subscriber to Utah Political Watch today. For just $5 per month—less than the cost of a coffee—you'll get exclusive access to in-depth political coverage that matters to you and your community. [Upgrade to paid ](https://utahpolitics.news/membership/) ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Wednesday morning: ### UTAH AND THE WEST Utah Gov. Cox joins gushing letter to Trump supporting his "big, beautiful" bill. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/05/20/utah-gov-cox-joins-gushing-letter-to-trump-supporting-his-big-beautiful-bill/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Gov. Cox said Donald Trump could be a uniter. Here's how the governor thinks the president has done so far. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2025/05/21/is-donald-trump-uniting-county-gov/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] "In government we never want to be frantic," Democratic lawmakers say about university cuts. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/05/20/democratic-lawmakers-question-pace-of-university-cuts/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] House Speaker floats new idea to help deal with Great Salt Lake dust. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/great-salt-lake-collaborative/house-speaker-floats-new-idea-to-help-deal-with-great-salt-lake-dust?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Monitors haven't caught the severity of Great Salt Lake dust storms. Here's why. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/05/21/utah-air-quality-why-monitors/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Why Utah's fire season this year could be "busier" despite snowpack, forecast. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51316324/why-utahs-fire-season-this-year-could-be-busier-despite-snowpack-forecast?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah could be in for another hot summer, but will it also be wet or dry? \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51316345/utah-could-be-in-for-another-hot-summer-but-will-it-also-be-wet-or-dry-?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Utah Department of Agriculture offers new loan program to help farmers fight drought conditions. \[[KSL](https://kslnewsradio.com/environment-outdoors/utah-drought/utah-farmers-drought/2214232/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Study: Utah a "middle of the pack" state for military retirees. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/utah/2025/05/20/military-retirees-study-gives-utah-a-middle-ranking/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] At Lake Powell, families pay millions to contractor that hasn't had to bid in decades. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/fox-13-investigates/at-lake-powell-families-pay-millions-to-contractor-that-hasnt-had-to-bid-in-decades?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] University of Utah shuts down LGBTQ youth health clinic. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/education/2025/05/21/university-utah-shuts-down-lgbtq/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### NATIONAL The House GOP is racing to find support for President Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill." The Rules Committee started meeting at 1 a.m. on Wednesday, but still hasn't come to a consensus. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/21/us/politics/one-big-beautiful-bill-house-trump.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - House Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris said Wednesday morning there's "no way" the bill makes it to the floor today. \[[X](https://x.com/mychaelschnell/status/1925166002989326374?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The tax cuts in the House GOP's megabill would mostly benefit the richest Americans while disadvantaging low-income households by cutting federal spending on Medicaid and food assistance. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/21/cbo-wealthy-gain-low-income-people-lose-from-gop-megabill-00361987?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The national debt is on pace to climb to 117% of the U.S. economy's size by 2034 – higher than the previous record in 1945\. The GOP tax and spending megabill would push the debt above the 1945 level even sooner. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/20/upshot/record-debt-republicans-bill.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump announced plans to build a $175 billion "Golden Dome" missile defense system for the United States. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/20/trump-golden-dome-price-tag-00360876?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump's approval rating ticked slightly lower last month, down to 42%, matching the lowest level of his second term in office. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trumps-approval-rating-ticks-lower-economic-concerns-weigh-reutersipsos-poll-2025-05-20/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Democratic Rep. Jerry Connolly of Virginia, the ranking member on the House Oversight Committee, has died. \[CBS News\] Using the Guantanamo Bay naval base to house migrants is costing as much as $100,000 per day for each detainee. He recently announced that his cancer had returned. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-migrant-detentions-guantanamo-bay-cost-100000-per-person-daily-senator-2025-05-20/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Democrats in Congress are exploring ways to block President Trump from accepting a luxury jet as a gift from Qatar. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/19/trump-qatar-jet-gift-congress-block-00357593?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Elon Musk says he's stepping back from spending on political races, saying he's "done enough." \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/20/elon-musk-political-spending-00358398?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### INTERNATIONAL President Trump is reportedly upset by images of suffering Palestinian children and has told his aides to tell Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to wrap up the ongoing conflict in Gaza. \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/05/20/trump-wants-netanyahu-end-gaza-war?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] U.S. intelligence says there are indications Israel is preparing to strike Iranian nuclear facilities. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-intel-suggests-israel-preparing-strike-irans-nuclear-facilities-cnn-reports-2025-05-20/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the U.S. will impose new sanctions on Russia if there is no progress made in a peace deal with Ukraine. \[[Financial Times](https://www.ft.com/content/1da72c5f-cce5-4b81-b167-4410d5be7ab1?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Intercepted radio chatter and drone footage appeared to capture Russian officers ordering the killing of surrendering Ukrainian troops. \[[CNN](https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/21/europe/russian-forces-ukrainian-troops-radio-chatter-intl-invs?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Trump administration plans to divert $250 million earmarked for foreign assistance to fund the removal of people who fled to the U.S. from war zones. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/05/20/trump-deporations-ukrainians-haitians/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### BRIEFLY Donald Trump, Jr. said he might run for president someday. \[[USA Today](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/05/21/donald-trump-jr-president/83764268007/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] NFL players will be allowed to participate in the 2028 L.A. Olympic flag football competition. \[[Los Angeles Times](https://www.latimes.com/sports/olympics/story/2025-05-20/nfl-players-vote-olympics-flag-football?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Trump warns retailers not to raise prices because of tariffs URL: https://utahpolitics.news/trump-warns-retailers-not-to-raise-prices-because-of-tariffs/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:48:56.000Z ## Tuesday, May 20, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock 84 days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) 168 days until Election Day (11/4/2025) 532 days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Tuesday morning: Thank you for being one of more than 1,200 people supporting Utah Political Watch with your free subscription. I'm so thankful to have you as a reader! "Morning News Fix" is a subscriber-exclusive newsletter curating the morning's top news headlines to help you get informed before starting your day. As an independent watchdog journalist, I work tirelessly to hold elected officials accountable and keep you informed about Utah politics. This vital work takes time, resources, and dedication. Support impactful local journalism by becoming a paid subscriber to Utah Political Watch today. For just $5 per month—less than the cost of a coffee—you'll get exclusive access to in-depth political coverage that matters to you and your community. [Upgrade to paid ](https://utahpolitics.news/membership/) ### UTAH AND THE WEST Southern Utah is used to hot summers with little water. This year is shaping up to be especially bad. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/05/20/southern-utah-drought-conditions/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah advocates worry about potential Medicaid cuts' impact on kids. \[[KSL](https://ksltv.com/local-news/utah-advocates-worry-about-potential-medicaid-cuts-impact-on-kids/776630/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah medical cannabis patient count reaches 100,000 ahead of prescription pop-up ban. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/05/20/utah-medical-cannabis-patient-count-reaches-100000-ahead-of-prescription-pop-up-ban/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] BYU announces site location for new School of Medicine. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/education/2025/05/19/byu-announces-site-location-new-school-of-medicine/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Salt Lake County prosecutors worry crimes will go unreported as undocumented victims fear coming forward. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/05/18/utah-prosecutors-worry/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] "One-of-a-kind" stained glass dome unveiled atop new Utah Capitol north building. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/05/19/stained-glass-dome-unveiled-atop-new-utah-capitol-north-building/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### NATIONAL The Trump administration first approached Qatar to inquire about purchasing a Boeing 747 to use as Air Force One. That contradicts President Donald Trump's narrative that Qatar offered the jet as a "gift." \[[CNN](https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2025/05/19/politics/trump-adminstration-approached-qatar-jet?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Donald Trump lashed out at some of the nation's largest retailers after they warned consumers about price increases due to his tariffs. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/19/us/politics/trump-tariffs-walmart-mattel-prices.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Mortgage rates surged above 7% on Monday following the downgrade to the U.S. credit rating. \[[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/19/mortgage-rates-us-credit-downgrade.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] A Democratic member of Congress was charged with assaulting federal agents during an incident outside a Newark, New Jersey immigration detention center. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/19/nyregion/new-jersey-congress-ice-charges.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The number of people attempting to cross the Southern U.S. border illegally has fallen to historic lows. Authorites reported barely 8,000 "encounters" per month, down from 200,000 per month in 2023\. \[[GZERO](https://www.gzeromedia.com/graphic-truth/graphic-truth-illegal-immigration-to-the-us-hits-record-lows?ref=utahpolitics.news#toggle-gdpr)\] President Trump's nominee to lead the Internal Revenue Service encouraged people to claim a tax credit that the I.R.S. says does not exist. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/20/us/politics/billy-long-irs-confirmation-trump.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The U.S. Senate advanced a major cryptocurrency regulation bill to create a framework for issuers of stablecoins, which are pegged to fiat currencies. \[[NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/senate-advances-major-crypto-regulation-bill-bipartisan-vote-rcna207809?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### INTERNATIONAL Vice President JD Vance skipped a visit to Israel because he didn't want to imply the Trump administration supported Israel's increased military operation in Gaza. \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/05/19/vance-skip-israel-visit-gaza-operation?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The U.K., France and Canada warned Israel they will take "concrete actions" if it continues expanding military operations in Gaza. \[[BBC](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czxy19n4kpyo?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The U.S. sent 68 immigrants from Honduras and Colombia back to their countries on Monday, the first of what the Trump administration is calling "voluntary deportations." \[[Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/honduras-us-migrants-selfdeport-trump-584af8787a3cbce99f3c5e95cc708c6d?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### HEALTH/MEDICNE The measles outbreak in Texas has slowed after a push to get more people vaccinated against the disease. \[[Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-19/texas-measles-outbreak-slows-after-big-push-for-vaccinations?srnd=homepage-americas&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### BRIEFLY The Trump organization wants to build a Trump Tower in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/vietnam-government-document-says-trump-organization-exploring-tower-ho-chi-minh-2025-05-19/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Trump administration has agreed to pay $5 million to the family of Ashli Babbitt, who was shot by a police officer as she tried to climb through a broken window of a barricaded door during the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on Congress. \[[Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/ashli-babbitt-trump-settlement-6de2a507ddac903c68c5d3a25f35f24c?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### GOP's tax bill would blow a $3 trillion hole in the budget URL: https://utahpolitics.news/gops-tax-bill-would-blow-a-3-trillion-hole-in-the-budget/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:48:50.000Z ## Monday, May 19, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock 85 days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) 169 days until Election Day (11/4/2025) 533 days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Monday morning: Thank you for being one of more than 1,200 people supporting Utah Political Watch with your free subscription. I'm so thankful to have you as a reader! "Morning News Fix" is a subscriber-exclusive newsletter curating the morning's top news headlines to help you get informed before starting your day. As an independent watchdog journalist, I work tirelessly to hold elected officials accountable and keep you informed about Utah politics. This vital work takes time, resources, and dedication. Support impactful local journalism by becoming a paid subscriber to Utah Political Watch today. For just $5 per month—less than the cost of a coffee—you'll get exclusive access to in-depth political coverage that matters to you and your community. [Upgrade to paid ](https://utahpolitics.news/membership/) ## Utah Headlines A 125-vote margin: Five takeaways from Saturday's Utah GOP convention. \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/a-125-vote-margin-five-takeaways-from-saturdays-utah-gop-convention/)\] Trump's budget proposes cutting $600M from Utah's biggest water project. No one knows, or will say, what that means. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2025/05/19/utah-water-trump-proposes-funding/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah Sens. Mike lee and John Curtis respond to U.S. credit rating downgrade. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/05/17/utah-senators-mike-lee-and-john-curtis-respond-to-moodys-downgrade/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah Tech investigation ends with no "sustained findings" against former president who left phallic gift. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/education/2025/05/19/utah-tech-investigation-no/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ## National/International President Trump's "big beautiful bill" does not decrease federal spending, and would increase America's budget deficit by $3 trillion through 2034\. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/tax-plan-budget-national-debt-analysis-e9822072?mod=hp%5Flead%5Fpos3&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - The House Budget committee approved the legislation on a 17-16 vote late Sunday night. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/05/18/house-budget-vote-reconciliation-bill/?location=alert&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - The House Rules Committee has scheduled a meeting at 1 a.m. on Wednesday to prepare the bill for the House floor. \[[Punchbowl News](https://x.com/JakeSherman/status/1924384784324653359?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Senate Republicans are considering breaking up the House bill into smaller pieces to push through some of President Trump's priorities before the fall. \[[The Hill](https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5304984-trump-agenda-stalled-senate-considering-split/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Former President Joe Biden announced he has been diagnosed with a particularly aggressive form of prostate cancer. \[[NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/joe-biden/former-president-joe-biden-diagnosed-prostate-cancer-rcna207571?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump finally admits that Americans, not foreign countries, will pay for his tariffs. \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/05/19/trump-tariffs-who-pays?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump has ordered federal agencies to simply stop enforcing rules he doesn't like. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/05/18/trump-enforcement-halt-regulations-laws/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The United States will begin discussions about reducing the number of U.S. troops in Europe later this year. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/us-start-european-troop-withdrawal-discussions-later-this-year-us-nato-2025-05-16/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Federal prosecutors may soon be able to indict members of Congress without approval from Justice Department officials under a new proposed policy. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/05/17/trump-justice-department-prosecutions/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ## Briefly... The suspect in a bombing of a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California, is a 25-year-old with "nihilistic ideations." He was killed in the blast while attempting to live-stream it. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/05/18/palm-springs-fertility-clinic-bomb-suspect-manifesto/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Tornadoes and severe storms killed 28 people in Kentucky, Missouri and Virginia over the weekend. \[[Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/storms-tornadoes-damage-destruction-3f7207e36dc589e9635755a1f579e926?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Cuts to U.S. aid has left food that could feed 3.5 million people rotting in warehouses around the world. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/us-aid-cuts-leave-food-millions-mouldering-storage-2025-05-16/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Podcast: Utah GOP convention wrap-up URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/podcast-utah-gop-convention-wrap-up/ Last updated: 2025-12-05T23:09:02.000Z This week, we're wrapping up the 2025 Utah Republican Party Convention: Rob Axson wins another term as party chair. Where does Phil Lyman go from here? It sure sounds like Utah Republicans are hatching a plan to repeal SB54 before the 2026 election. If you'd like to sponsor this podcast, email me at [schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news](mailto:schott@utahpolitical) Don't forget to [subscribe to the podcast](https://specialsession.podbean.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) and leave a rating and review to help others discover the show. ### A 125-vote margin: Five takeaways from Saturday’s Utah GOP convention URL: https://utahpolitics.news/a-125-vote-margin-five-takeaways-from-saturdays-utah-gop-convention/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T17:55:51.000Z In one of the closest races in recent memory, incumbent Rob Axson defeated former Rep. Phil Lyman by just 125 votes on Saturday to win his second term as chairman of the Utah Republican Party. Axson’s first two years in office have been extremely successful by any measure. Under his guidance, the party raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to provide support for candidates up and down the ballot - something the Utah GOP has not been able to do for several election cycles. Despite that success, he came alarmingly close to being ousted by Lyman. A full 48% of delegates who showed up on Saturday voted for someone else. Axson admits that he probably would not have won if not for a last-minute endorsement from President Donald Trump. “Do I think that I could have won on my own? No, I don’t. And I don’t know what that metric is,” Axson said shortly after winning. The next two years won’t be a cakewalk for Axson. He’ll have to find a way to mend fences with the pro-Lyman faction of the GOP who have demonstrated they don’t let go of grudges easily. They’re still fuming over Lyman losing the party’s gubernatorial nomination last year. ### THE CLOCK IS TICKING ON LYMAN It’s hard to wash off the stink of losing in politics. Lyman managed to compress several campaign cycles worth of election losses into just 11 months. He lost the GOP gubernatorial primary to Spencer Cox last June. Lyman followed that up with a third-place finish with his write-in campaign in November. He completed the trifecta on Saturday with a defeat in his bid to lead the Republican Party. Lyman has already announced plans to run for governor again in 2028, but it’s difficult to see how he’ll be able to get voters to take his candidacy seriously. It will take significant effort to rehabilitate his image. Over the past few years, Lyman has aligned himself with crackpots, conspiracy theorists, election deniers and social media bomb throwers - hardly the kind of people who scream “mainstream appeal.” The scorched-earth approach to politics from Lyman’s supporters turned off more than a few delegates who were motivated to show up on Saturday simply to vote against him. “I’ve had my fill of Phil,” said one delegate who asked that his name not be used for fear of reprisal from Lyman’s supporters. ### **UTAH REPUBLICANS AREN'T READY FOR A SHOWDOWN OVER SB54...YET** The sponsor of a controversial rule change proposal to kick candidates who collect signatures to get on the ballot surprised delegates when he suddenly yanked it from the agenda. Had the proposal been able to muster the 2/3 vote needed to pass, it would have put party rules in direct conflict with state law. Under SB54, political parties that want to nominate candidates through the traditional caucus system must also allow candidates to collect signatures. That likely would have sparked a legal fight with the state. The last time the Utah Republican Party challenged SB54 in court, it nearly bankrupted the party. The decision to spike the rule change should not be interpreted as a sign that delegates have begrudgingly accepted SB54\. Far from it. Even though they ditched the rule change on Saturday, there’s growing pressure from party members and elected officials for the Legislature to repeal SB54 and eliminate the signature path. Sen. Mike Lee tried to channel Ronald Reagan when he said repealing SB54 was one of the most urgent issues facing the state, and urged delegates to pressure legislators to “There is a wall that locks us in, but doesn’t keep others out - others who don’t belong in our party. That wall has a name. It’s called SB54,” Lee said. “Mr. Governor, I ask you to convene a special legislative session as soon as possible. Bring together the legislature and ask them to restore the caucus and convention system.” Delegates hate signature gathering because it massively dilutes their power. According to voter registration numbers from election data company L2, there are just over 855,000 registered Republicans in Utah. Just 2,650 GOP delegates showed up on Saturday. That means 0.3% of all Republicans in Utah decided the future of the party for the remaining 99.7%. ### **GOV. SPENCER COX AND LT. GOV. DEIDRE HENDERSON WERE NO-SHOWS AGAIN** Gov. Spencer Cox was a no-show at Saturday’s convention. After getting booed by delegates and trounced in last year’s convention vote, who can blame him? It’s almost certain that Cox would have faced another hostile reception from the large contingent of Phil Lyman supporters who are still sore he defeated Lyman for the party nomination last year. The last thing he needs is more video showing him being shouted down by members of his own party. Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson also skipped the convention, which was probably wise. If there’s a figure even more loathed than Cox among Lyman’s supporters, it’s Henderson. Since he lost the GOP primary to Cox, Lyman has falsely claimed that the signatures Cox collected to appear on the primary ballot were somehow fraudulent. He also claimed, without evidence, that the machines used to count the ballots in the primary were rigged to ensure Cox won. He and his supporters blame Henderson directly for those perceived sins. Henderson has so completely become an avatar for government corruption from those in Lyman’s orbit, any attempt to speak would have been like waving raw steak in front of a pack of rabid dogs. Whoever advised them to stay away made the right choice. ### YOUNG VOTERS ARE THE FUTURE After he won, Axson said one of his top priorities was to attract more young people to the party - specifically to the caucus and convention. “We need young people in this party, and we need young people to be passionate about what Republican principles and Republican values are,” Axson said. “If we don’t do this, this party is no better than any other institution that provides zero value, and we will be kind of past our shelf life within 20 years.” The median age in Utah is 32 years old and 16% of Utahns are between the ages of 20 and 29, which is higher than the national average. According to figures from L2 Data, those younger voters are almost equally as likely to be unaffiliated as they are to register with the GOP. About 40% of Utah voters under the age of 30 are registered Republicans while about 35% aren’t affiliated with either party. Just 15% are Democrats. ### Déjà Vu in the Utah GOP: Saturday's convention to rehash old party divisions URL: https://utahpolitics.news/deja-vu-in-the-utah-gop-saturdays-convention-to-rehash-old-party-divisions/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T17:56:26.000Z Saturday's showdown for Utah Republican Party leadership could be described as pragmatism vs. ideological purity. Incumbent Rob Axson, a former Mike Lee staffer with ties to the Utah GOP mainstream, takes on challenger Phil Lyman, who is a fierce proponent of the caucus and convention system for selecting nominees. Lyman — who enjoys fervent support from party delegates and overwhelmingly defeated Governor Spencer Cox at last year's convention — has spent months challenging the legitimacy of Cox's primary victory, targeting the signature-gathering path that bypassed delegate control. It's instructive to examine a similar situation within the Utah GOP that took place not too long ago. In 2017 and 2019, it was another Phil — Phill Wright — who tried to parlay popularity among the more stalwart party delegates into a successful bid to lead the state organization. Like Lyman, Wright was a party hardliner and vocal defender of the caucus system. He spearheaded the Utah GOP's legal fight against SB54, the 2014 law that created the signature gathering path to the ballot for candidates. Like Lyman, Wright was a party hardliner and vocal defender of the caucus system. He spearheaded the Utah GOP's legal fight against SB54, the 2014 law that created the signature gathering path to the ballot for candidates. Signature gathering by candidates is loathed by a large percentage of GOP delegates because it dilutes their power. Before SB54, a small group of party insiders usually picked the party's nominees at their convention. Creating an alternate path broadened the pool of candidates who appeared on the ballot by allowing them to bypass party delegates. The years-long legal battle over SB54 ended in 2019 when the U.S. Supreme Court turned away the party's appeal of a lower court ruling. The effort nearly bankrupted the party with more than $400,000 in debt. Despite his popularity among delegates, Wright was defeated in 2017 by Rob Anderson and in 2019 by Derek Brown. While GOP delegates have tended to rally behind the most conservative candidates, they have been more utilitarian when choosing party leadership recently: - In 2017 the party was floundering financially with unpaid bills and mounting costs from the legal fight against SB54\. Delegates ousted incumbent James Evans in favor of Anderson. - In 2019, after one tumultuous term as chair, which saw efforts by the more militant party factions to handcuff and even oust him from office, Anderson stepped aside. Delegates elected Derek Brown, another former Mike Lee staffer, to succeed Anderson. Brown stepped down after one term. That utilitarianism does not mean they're pro-establishment, however. In 2021, GOP leaders, led by Cox, sent a letter to delegates on the eve of the convention endorsing a slate of candidates, led by then-Utah County GOP chairman Stuart Peay. That letter so enraged delegates they elected Carson Jorgensen to lead the party. Like his two predecessors, Jorgensen stepped down after just one term. Axson has navigated his first term without antagonizing the party's base. He's earned the endorsements of President Donald Trump and Sen. Mike Lee, who are beloved by delegates — possibly even more so than Lyman. There's another repeat of recent party history could play out on Saturday. Republican delegates will consider a controversial change to the party constitution on Saturday that would [kick signature-gathering candidates out of the party](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-gop-plan-would-boot-signature-gathering-candidates-from-party/) — something they've tried in the past that could trigger a showdown with state law. In 2018, a faction of hardliners on the Utah GOP's state central committee dubbed the "Gang of 51" forced through a change to the party bylaws to expel signature gathering candidates in some races from the party. Then-chairman Rob Anderson infuriated ultraconservatives when he declared the bylaw illegal and rejected it. Utah law says any political party that nominates candidates through the caucus and convention must also allow for signature-gathering candidates. Then-Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox, who oversaw Utah's elections, said he would ignore any attempts to revoke the party membership if the party had attempted to enforce the rule. Still, the bylaw remained on the books until 2021. If the proposed constitution change on Saturday gets the required 2/3 vote from delegates to pass, it would put the party's internal rules directly at odds with state law. Such a move could force the state to bar candidates nominated at the convention from appearing on the ballot or lead to the decertification of the Utah GOP as a political party. A final thing to watch on Saturday is the race for party secretary. Incumbent Stafford Palmieri faces Olivia Williams, who goes by the name Olivia Dawn, in a rematch from the 2023 convention when Williams was the incumbent. Williams's mother is Teena Horlacher, a longtime GOP activist. In early 2023, Williams signed onto a document in which Horlacher attempted to put a $5 million lien on her own home. That document was filled with [symbols and phrases common to the far-right anti-government Sovereign Citizen movement](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2023/04/21/is-sovereign-citizen-movement/?ref=utahpolitics.news). The document was also signed by Jennifer Garner who unsuccessfully challenged Rep. Stuart Barlow for the GOP nomination in 2024. Notably, Williams and Horlacher w[ere on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2021/05/10/utah-is-going-grow-more/?ref=utahpolitics.news) when pro-Trump protesters stormed the building. There's no evidence that either of them entered the building that day. ### Republicans go on offense over Medicaid URL: https://utahpolitics.news/republicans-go-on-offense-over-medicaid/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:48:44.000Z ## Friday, May 16, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock 88 days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) 172 days until Election Day (11/4/2025) 536 days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Friday morning: Thank you for being one of more than 1,200 people supporting Utah Political Watch with your free subscription. I'm so thankful to have you as a reader! "Morning News Fix" is a subscriber-exclusive newsletter curating the morning's top news headlines to help you get informed before starting your day. As an independent watchdog journalist, I work tirelessly to hold elected officials accountable and keep you informed about Utah politics. This vital work takes time, resources, and dedication. Support impactful local journalism by becoming a paid subscriber to Utah Political Watch today. For just $5 per month—less than the cost of a coffee—you'll get exclusive access to in-depth political coverage that matters to you and your community. [Upgrade to paid ](https://utahpolitics.news/membership/) ## Utah Headlines Florida bans fluoride from drinking water, joining Utah. \[[USA Today](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/05/15/florida-bans-fluoride-as-water-additive/83651553007/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah Supreme Court affirms ruling ordering new trial for death row inmate. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/05/15/utah-supreme-court-affirms-ruling-ordering-new-trial-for-death-row-inmate/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] This pardoned Utah billionaire has a history of making political donations while facing criminal accusations. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/this-pardoned-utah-billionaire-has-a-history-of-making-political-donations-while-facing-criminal-accusations?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Gov. Cox: Utah's housing crisis demands tough conversations with cities. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/05/15/utah-governor-cox-promots-high-density-affordable-homes-at-stanford-abundance-agenda-conference/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Minimum-wage Utah workers have to work 156 hours a week to afford the average apartment, according to report. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/minimum-wage-utah-workers-have-to-work-156-hours-a-week-to-afford-the-average-apartment-according-to-report?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] How 2 Utah universities plan to slash liberal arts programs under state-imposed budget cuts. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/education/2025/05/16/liberal-arts-programs-slashed-2/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Behavioral health in Utah has critical gaps amid growing demand. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/lifestyle/2025/05/15/utah-behavioral-health-suicide-mental-master-plan-human-services/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah leaders praise Trump's fast-tracking of a "vital" uranium mine. Environmentalists say the move "beggars belief." \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2025/05/16/utah-nuclear-energy-state-praises/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Why lack of federal funding could drop the curtain on southern Utah arts scene. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/southern-utah/why-lack-of-federal-funding-could-drop-the-curtain-on-southern-utah-arts-scene?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Salt Lake City plans to spend another big chunk of $80 million bond on parks upgrades. Here's how and when. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/05/17/salt-lake-city-mendenhall/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ## National/International Republicans in Congress are being urged to go on offense over spending cuts to Medicaid and argue they are rooting out fraud and abuse. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/05/16/look-republicans-political-playbook-medicaid/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Donald Trump said he wants to make Gaza a "freedom zone," arguing there's nothing left to save in the Palestinian territory. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/us-would-make-gaza-freedom-zone-trump-says-qatar-2025-05-15/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Inflation unexpectedly dropped 0.5% in April, mostly due to falling egg and gasoline prices, but experts say it appears to be a one-off that will likely reverse course if tariffs remain high. \[[MarketWatch](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/wholesale-inflation-shows-biggest-drop-since-2020-but-its-unlikely-to-last-f063a765?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Walmart plans to raise prices this month, passing the cost of merchandise impacted by tariffs to consumers. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/business/retail/walmart-wmt-q1-earnings-report-stock-2026-b978bcf5?mod=hp%5Flead%5Fpos2&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] 285 of America's 313 air traffic control facilities are operating below the Federal Aviation Administration's recommended staffing levels. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/31/business/air-traffic-controllers-understaffed.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is pitching a reality television show pitting immigrants against each other "for the honor of fast-tracking their way to U.S. citizenship." \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/dhs-is-considering-reality-show-where-immigrants-compete-for-citizenship-47de277c?mod=politics%5Flead%5Fstory&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Senate Republicans rejected a Democrat-backed resolution requiring the Trump administration to tell Congress what steps it has taken to comply with court orders involving deportees to El Salvador. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/15/us/politics/senate-trump-el-salvador-deportations.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Russia and Ukraine are holding the first direct peace talks in three years in Istanbul today. \[[Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-turkey-peace-talks-9a75e2069cea6c73d1276a9e53e7d6e5?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The FBI is shutting down its public corruption division. \[[NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/fbi-folds-public-corruption-squad-aided-jack-smiths-trump-investigatio-rcna207029?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Donors are being offered a "VIP experience" at several events involving the military planned by President Trump this summer. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/politics/elections/donors-promised-vip-experience-to-military-events-with-trump-85b9f83b?mod=politics%5Flead%5Fpos1&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ## Briefly... President Trump's political advisers helped convince Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to not run for U.S. Senate by showing her poll results that had her losing to Democrat Jon Ossoff by nearly 20 points. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/politics/elections/trump-helped-ease-marjorie-taylor-greene-out-of-possible-senate-run-f0581580?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Violent threats against judges in the U.S. are skyrocketing. \[[Wired](https://www.wired.com/story/violent-threats-us-judges-increase-online/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] A "copy" of the Magna Carta purchased by Harvard Law School in the 1940s is, in fact, one of seven surviving originals from 1300\. \[[Harvard Law Today](https://hls.harvard.edu/today/harvard-law-schools-copy-of-magna-carta-revealed-as-original/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] YouTube will start inserting ads after "peak" moments in videos. \[[TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2025/05/14/youtube-viewers-will-start-seeing-ads-after-peak-moments-in-videos/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Perks now, pain later URL: https://utahpolitics.news/perks-now-pain-later/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:48:39.000Z ## Thursday, May 15, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock 89 days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) 173 days until Election Day (11/4/2025) 537 days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Thursday morning: Thank you for being one of more than 1,200 people supporting Utah Political Watch with your free subscription. I'm so thankful to have you as a reader! "Morning News Fix" is a subscriber-exclusive newsletter curating the morning's top news headlines to help you get informed before starting your day. As an independent watchdog journalist, I work tirelessly to hold elected officials accountable and keep you informed about Utah politics. This vital work takes time, resources, and dedication. Support impactful local journalism by becoming a paid subscriber to Utah Political Watch today. For just $5 per month—less than the cost of a coffee—you'll get exclusive access to in-depth political coverage that matters to you and your community. [Upgrade to paid ](https://utahpolitics.news/membership/) ## Utah Headlines Rep. Blake Moore fights for Trump's tax cuts, then fights to stay awake in marathon hearing. \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/rep-blake-moore-fights-for-trumps-tax-cuts-then-fights-to-stay-awake-in-marathon-hearing/)\] Are delegates in touch with Utah voters? Survey reveals where they "align and diverge." \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/05/14/delegates-in-touch-with-utah-voters-survey-reveals-where-they-align-diverge/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] This weekend's Utah GOP convention faces a big question: Who decides which Republicans go on the ballot? \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2025/05/15/utah-republicans-high-stakes-this/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah Democrats hope for revival as Gov. JB Pritzker scheduled to speak at convention. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/05/14/utah-democrats-debate-how-to-respond-to-donald-trump/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Could a public lands deal amount to a water grab for Utah? \[[Las Vegas Review-Journal](https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/politics-and-government/could-a-public-lands-deal-amount-to-a-water-grab-for-utah-3372876/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Sen. Mike Lee wants to define obscenity to enable prosecutors to go after distribution. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2025/05/15/new-mike-lee-bill-would-redefine/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah streamlines ICE prisoner release process for those in U.S. illegally, no change in deportation process. \[[KSL](https://ksltv.com/local-news/ice-release-process/774629/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs will finish term while working for Trump administration. \[[KUTV](https://kutv.com/newsletter-daily/riverton-mayor-trent-staggs-will-finish-term-while-working-for-trump-administration?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Tax bill proposal terminating clean energy credits may increase Utahns' energy costs. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/05/15/tax-bill-proposal-terminating-clean-energy-credits-may-increase-utahns-energy-costs/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Why Utah Olympic officials nearly doubled their donations requests for 2034 Winter Games. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/sports/2025/05/15/utah-2034-olympics-officials-call/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Mormon crickets take over Holden and Fillmore area. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51313250/mormon-crickets-take-over-holden-and-fillmore-area?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ## National/International Several provisions in the GOP tax bill, like no taxes on tips or overtime, will kick in immediately but expire in 2029\. Other drastic spending cuts to pay for the tax bill won't go into effect until after the 2026 midterms or the 2028 presidential election. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/15/perks-now-pain-later-tk-ways-trumps-megabill-pushes-tradeoffs-beyond-election-day-00348268?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Donald Trump says the U.S. is getting close to securing a nuclear deal with Iran. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-says-us-is-getting-very-close-nuclear-deal-with-iran-2025-05-15/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - A top Iranian official says the country is ready to agree to never make nuclear weapons and get rid of stockpiles of highly enriched uranium in exchange for lifting economic sanctions. \[[NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/iran-enriched-uranium-nuclear-deal-trump-rcna206833?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The military parade scheduled for President Trump's birthday could cost between $25 million and $45 million. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-us-army-birthday-bash-plans-include-25-abrams-tanks-2025-05-14/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Secretary of State Marco Rubio is working on a plan to significantly downsize the National Security Council and drastically change how it operates. \[[NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/rubio-working-major-changes-national-security-council-rcna206658?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] A federal court ruled individuals cannot bring lawsuits challenging allegedly discriminatory election policies under the Voting Rights Act. The decision means only the Justice Department is responsible for enforcing the VRA. \[[CNN](https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/14/politics/voting-rights-act-gets-major-blow-from-appeals-court?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Attorneys who represent clients who cannot afford legal representation in federal cases won't get paid for more than two months because of budget shortfalls. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/05/14/government-funding-shortfall-federal-lawyers-pay/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Department of Homeland Security plans to shift $50 million from the Coast Guard budget to purchase a new Gulfstream V jet, which would be primarily used by Secretary Kristi Noem. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2025/05/14/noem-plane-gulfstream-coast-guard/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump trying to clear the Republican field so Rep. Elise Stefanik can run for governor in New York. \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/05/15/trump-stefanik-new-york-governor?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ## Briefly... Texas Democrats want to ban Ted Cruz from attending college playoff games because he's "a well-known curse." \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/05/14/ted-cruz-curse-sports-texas?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Trump administration canceled several grants to study misinformation and other harmful content online. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/15/business/trump-online-misinformation-grants.html?unlocked%5Farticle%5Fcode=1.HU8.lqzY.UJCr4NOqlEeo&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Flock, an automatic license plate reader company, is quietly building a people lookup tool. \[[404 Media](https://www.404media.co/license-plate-reader-company-flock-is-building-a-massive-people-lookup-tool-leak-shows/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Topps released a card dedicated to Pope Leo XIV, and it's already the best-selling non-sports trading card ever issued by the company. \[[The Gamer](https://www.thegamer.com/pope-leo-xiv-topps-trading-card-record-breaking-scalping-ebay/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Rep. Blake Moore fights for Trump's tax cuts, then fights to stay awake in marathon hearing URL: https://utahpolitics.news/rep-blake-moore-fights-for-trumps-tax-cuts-then-fights-to-stay-awake-in-marathon-hearing/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T16:56:22.000Z Utah Rep. Blake Moore vigorously defended President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax proposal against Democratic criticism before dozing off during a vote during a marathon hearing of the House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday. 0:00 /0:32 1× Utah Rep. Blake Moore falls asleep during a hearing of the House Ways and Means Committee (5/14/2025) The tax proposal [contains more than $5 trillion in tax breaks](https://apnews.com/article/trump-tax-cuts-bill-medicaid-work-requirements-17cbde167f3b434e925a199c3253b8e1?ref=utahpolitics.news), and would make permanent the tax cuts approved by Congress during President Donald Trump’s first term. At one point during the hearing, Moore bristled at Democrats characterizing the legislation as a massive financial giveaway to billionaires. “I don’t know how to say this over and over again. I don’t know how to make this settle in. This is not a bill for billionaire relief,” Moore argued. “This is just rhetoric.” Moore expplained the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act doubled the standard deduction, the amount that people can write off, which he claimed primarily benefits middle and lower income Americans. He added the proposal extends the $2,000 per child tax credit and temporarily raises it to $2,500 per child through 2028. “Lower income, middle income Americans are getting a huge amount of tax relief through the extension of what was done in 2017, which is the majority of this bill,” Moore said. The legislation also creates new tax cuts for tips and overtime pay, making good on promises President Trump made on the campaign trail. Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA), the ranking member on the committee, countered that Moore and his Republican colleagues were downplaying how much wealthy Americans stood to benefit from the bill. “To equate $500 bucks for a child with hundreds of thousands of dollars that are going to go to individual filers at the top - billionaires - doesn’t make any sense under the magnifying glass of critical analysis. How can we say that this is relief for the little person who’s going to get a buck a day compared to people who are multimillionaires who are going to derive an enormous benefit,” Neal argued. Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA), said Neal’s estimate of $1 per day for lower income households actually overstated the benefit. “They actually get 72-cents a day vis-à-vis those on the other end that get $223 a day,” Thompson pointed out. “To suggest that somehow we’re making up numbers in order to make political points is absolutely ridiculous.” According to the [official analysis from the Joint Committee on Taxation](https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/05/13/congress/average-taxpayers-tax-bills-set-to-fall-under-house-tax-package-forecasters-say-00347318?ref=utahpolitics.news), people making more than $500,000 per year would see an aggregate tax cut of about $170 billion in 2027, compared to $59 billion for those earning between $30,000 and $80,000\. The analysis does not account for a likely increase in the limit on deductions for state and local taxes, from $10,000 to $30,000, which would primarily benefit wealthier households. At one point, Moore fell asleep in his chair and had to be woken up by Republican Michelle Fishbach (R-MN), who was seated next to him. The tax portion of the bill [advanced on a 26-19 party line vote](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/14/republicans-trumps-tax-bill-salt.html?ref=utahpolitics.news). It will be combined with other provisions and sent to the House floor, where Republican leaders hope to push it through to final passage by Memorial Day. ### Congressional Republicans approve more tax cuts URL: https://utahpolitics.news/congressional-republicans-approve-more-tax-cuts/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:48:34.000Z ## Wednesday, May 14, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock 90 days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) 174 days until Election Day (11/4/2025) 538 days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Wednesday morning: Thank you for being one of more than 1,200 people supporting Utah Political Watch with your free subscription. I'm so thankful to have you as a reader! "Morning News Fix" is a subscriber-exclusive newsletter curating the morning's top news headlines to help you get informed before starting your day. As an independent watchdog journalist, I work tirelessly to hold elected officials accountable and keep you informed about Utah politics. This vital work takes time, resources, and dedication. Support impactful local journalism by becoming a paid subscriber to Utah Political Watch today. For just $5 per month—less than the cost of a coffee—you'll get exclusive access to in-depth political coverage that matters to you and your community. [Upgrade to paid ](https://utahpolitics.news/membership/) ## Utah Headlines Lawmaker claims non-citizens are voting in Utah but refuses to share evidence. \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/lawmaker-claims-non-citizens-are-voting-in-utah-but-refuses-to-share-evidence/)\] SLC sports district is getting another $300M from taxpayers – a late gift from the Legislature. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2025/05/14/utah-taxpayers-are-pitching/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] A "stunning number": 1 in 4 Utah jobs are found in Salt Lake City. \[[KUER](https://www.kuer.org/business-economy/2025-05-13/a-stunning-number-1-in-4-utah-jobs-are-found-in-salt-lake-city?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Gavel in hand, here are Mike Lee's plans for the Senate energy committee. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/05/13/mike-lee-energy-chair-leading-conservative-movement/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Officials eye airport expansion, reservoirs and new roads under Maloy's proposed public land sale. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/05/13/celeste-maloy-utah-public-land-sale-for-airport-roads/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] With drought already here, Sen. John Curtis aims to help. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/utah/2025/05/13/water-west-john-curtis-drought/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Axson or Lyman? Utah Republican delegates to elect their next leader. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/05/14/axson-or-lyman-utah-republican-delegates-to-elect-their-next-leader/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] How a collapsing Great Salt Lake could take Utah's economy – and maybe your employer – down with it. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/05/14/how-collapsing-great-salt-lake/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Are Utah's college students being poached? Inside the deep discounts one out-of-state school is offering our undergrads. \[[Salt Lake Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/education/2025/05/14/wyoming-college-wants-poach-utah/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ## National/International The massive economic and policy bill winding its way through Congress took a big step forward when the House Ways and Means Committee approved trillions of dollars in new tax cuts. \[[Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-14/trump-tax-plan-gains-momentum-in-house-as-it-heads-to-floor-vote?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson is vowing to block the legislation unless Republicans enact big spending cuts. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/13/ron-johnson-reconciliation-gop-agenda-spending-cuts-00347100?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Donald Trump backed down on his trade war with China after warnings that tariffs were hurting his voters. \[[Washington Post\]](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/05/14/trump-tariffs-china-trade/?ref=utahpolitics.news) - President Donald slashed the "de minimus" tariff on small shipments from China to as low as 30%. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/china/us-cut-de-minimis-tariff-china-shipments-54-120-2025-05-13/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Democrats in Congress are furious over Rep. Shri Thanedar of Michigan's move to seek a vote on impeaching President Trump. \[[Punchbowl News](https://punchbowl.news/archive/51425-am/?ref=utahpolitics.news#%5F%5Fhousedemsseetheovertrumpimpeachmentmove%5F%5F)\] A federal judge for the first time backed President Trump's use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan gang members. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/13/alien-enemies-act-trump-ruling-00346312?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - The FBI is directing about 2,000 agents away from their normal duties to focus on stepped up immigration enforcement. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/13/us/politics/trump-immigration-fbi-gun-drug-agents.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - A coalition of 20 Democratic states are suing the Trump administration over threats to withhold federal funding if they don't follow immigration policies. \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/05/14/states-sue-trump-immigration-federal-funding?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Donald Trump's approval rating rises to 44% as Americans worry less about the possibility of a recession. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trumps-approval-rating-rises-44-americans-worry-less-about-recession-2025-05-13/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Only one third of Democrats are optimistic about the future of their party. \[[Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/poll-democrats-pessimism-sanders-ocasio-cortez-schumer-8dcde90d9666721fb376db90140f8e23?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] A small technology company with ties to China bought as much as $300 million of the cryptocurrency marketed by President Trump. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/13/us/politics/trump-crypto-purchase.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump told leaders in the Gulf region he wants to "make a deal" with Iran to wind down its nuclear program, but Tehran must end its support for proxy groups. \[[Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/trump-middle-east-syria-qatar-saudi-arabia-8bd63b3f9fc1856532a00adf1795e38f?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Trump administration canceled an additional $450 million in federal grants to Harvard University. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/13/us/politics/trump-harvard-grants-450-million.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ## Briefly... Democrat John Ewing Jr. ousted the longtime Republican Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert in Tuesday's municipal election. Ewing will become the city's first Black mayor. \[[The Hill](https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5299111-democrat-ousts-republican-omaha-mayoral-race/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Apple is working on technology to allow people to control devices with brain implants. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/tech/apple-brain-computer-interface-9ec69919?mod=hp%5Flistb%5Fpos2&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ESPN's new all-access streaming service will cost $29.99 per month. \[[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/13/espn-streaming-app-cost-bundle.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Germany announced it was banning a far-right group that refuses to recognize the German government and has set up a parallel one of its own. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/13/world/europe/germany-ban-far-right-kingdom.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Lawmaker claims non-citizens are voting in Utah but refuses to share evidence URL: https://utahpolitics.news/lawmaker-claims-non-citizens-are-voting-in-utah-but-refuses-to-share-evidence/ Last updated: 2025-12-05T23:09:13.000Z In April, House Majority Whip Karianne Lisonbee breathlessly reported on social media that she had uncovered evidence that “illegal immigrants are voting in Utah elections.” However, she’s refusing to turn over any information about these alleged non-citizens voting to election officials. In interviews and on social media, Lisonbee claims an anonymous “whistleblower” has provided her with information that at least one person who is not a U.S. citizen has registered and voted in Utah elections since 2020. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-22-at-11.22.13.png) “This person actually did have a driver’s privilege card. This particular person should not have been allowed to register or vote, and they had been voting in Utah elections for four years,” Lisonbee claimed during a recent appearance on [an obscure right-wing podcast](https://youtu.be/tgXL9C65pjM?si=DM8qfE7RXFNBv3Bq&ref=utahpolitics.news). She has also suggested other non-citizens are on Utah’s voter rolls, even claiming one county clerk “proactively worked to remove all of the illegal aliens on their voter rolls.” Lisonbee says the issue is so urgent that she’s already drafted legislation requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote, and she wants it included on the agenda of a special legislative session, which could come later this month. According to text messages and emails obtained through an open records request, Lisonbee told several county clerks about the informant, but refused to provide any information because doing so would unmask the whistleblower who she claims is protected under Utah law. When she went public with her allegations on social media last month, Davis County Clerk Brian McKenzie texted Lisonbee asking for information so he could investigate. Lisonbee refused. “I am not aware of any non-citizen currently registered to vote in Davis County, nor am I aware of any county clerk who knowingly allows non-citizens to register. If you are aware of a non-citizen registered to vote or a clerk that knowingly permits this to happen, this is the information I would be interested in, not the identity of who notified you,” McKenzie texted. “I am aware of non-citizens on the voter rolls,” Lisonbee replied. When McKenzie asked for the names of those non-citizens so he could investigate, Lisonbee again refused, citing whistleblower protections. McKenzie then explained that he was not asking for the identity of the informer but the non-citizens who Lisonbee claims are registered to vote. “I know what you are asking for and to protect the whistleblower I cannot provide it,” Lisonbee replied. “But I look forward to discussing how we can prevent any more illegal immigrants from registering.” When McKenzie explained that it would be difficult to come up with a solution without that information, Lisonbee said he just needed to trust her. “I hope you’re asking me to fix a problem that I have not seen and cannot see. It’s equivalent of asking me to plug a hole that I can’t identify, so I’m not sure the best way to plug the hole. As of right now, you’re asking me to fix a problem based on an unsubstantiated claim. I can’t guarantee a fix to a problem that I don’t fully understand,” McKenzie said. “If you trust our staff members and my relation to you of what they found, we will solve the problem,” Lisonbee said. When someone registers to vote in Utah, they’re required to confirm they are a citizen by checking a box on the registration form attesting they are a citizen of the United States. “The ongoing concern is that someone willing to fill out the registration form illegally isn’t going to be reticent to also check the box falsely asserting citizenship,” Lisonbee said in a text message to McKenzie. It’s a Class A misdemeanor for anyone who is not a U.S. citizen to register to vote in Utah. Lisonbee did not respond to questions from Utah Political Watch about whether she had reported these alleged crimes to law enforcement or if she planned to do so. She also ignored questions asking if she planned to publicly reveal the information given to her by the purported whistleblower. Despite her refusal to provide specifics, Lisonbee points to a vulnerability in Utah’s voter registration system. Applicants are required to provide their date of birth and a valid Utah Driver License number or State Identification number. To get either of those documents, applicants must show a birth certificate, passport or other government-issued documents. Election officials compare the voter registration form with the state’s driver’s license database, which verifies whether they are a U.S. citizen. But, if someone does not have a driver’s license or state-issued ID, the only other proof of identity required to register to vote is the last four digits of their social security number. Clerks and the Lt. Governor’s office do not have access to that database and cannot use it to verify identity or citizenship. So long as they check the box attesting they are a citizen of the U.S., election officials would have to take their word for it because they have no other way to verify citizenship. The day before Lisonbee went public with her allegations about non-citizens casting ballots in Utah elections, Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson announced on social media that her office was conducting a “full citizenship audit of Utah’s voter rolls.” Henderson’s office told Utah Political Watch that the audit effort was not related to Lisonbee’s claims. > My office is conducting a full citizenship audit of Utah’s voter rolls, similar to those recently conducted by other states. The audit will give us insight into the scope of any current problems and vulnerabilities and help us identify what changes may be needed to ensure that… > > — Lt. Gov. Deidre M. Henderson (@LGHendersonUtah) [April 17, 2025](https://twitter.com/LGHendersonUtah/status/1912916740117504041?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) Lately, Lisonbee has embraced several far-right conspiracy theories about elections, incorporating them into proposed legislation. During the 2025 session, she aggressively pushed [HB332](https://le.utah.gov/~2025/bills/static/HB0332.html?ref=utahpolitics.news), which would force the state to withdraw from the Electronic Registration Information Center also known as ERIC, a multi-state coalition that states used to help clean up and maintain their voter registration lists. In 2023 and 2024, several Republican-led states pulled out of ERIC because a far-right conspiracy theory falsely claimed it was funded by billionaire George Soros and funded by left-wing activists to help Democrats win elections. After encountering resistance, Lisonbee stripped that provision out of the bill. HB332’s early versions had another troubling provision that [appeared to be specifically written](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-bill-could-hand-over-millions-of-residents-personal-information-to-election-conspiracy-theorist/) to give Jay Valentine, an election conspiracy theorist, access to the personal information of millions of Utahns. Lisonbee proposed having the lieutenant governor contract with a third-party company to maintain the state’s voter database using “quantum technology.” Valentine has been peddling his “fractal quantum technology” to states that have withdrawn from ERIC. Valentine worked closely with lawyer Sidney Powell who claimed, without proof, that Donald Trump’s loss in the 2020 presidential election was the result of a vast international conspiracy headed by Soros and Hugo Chavez, the former President of Venezuela who was dead at the time. Valentine’s technology was initially funded by MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, a close ally of Trump who has spread conspiracies about election fraud. The provision was also removed from subsequent versions of the bill. Even so, HB332 failed to pass. ### What's in the House GOP tax bill? URL: https://utahpolitics.news/whats-in-the-house-gop-tax-bill/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:48:30.000Z ## Tuesday, May 13, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock 91 days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) 175 days until Election Day (11/4/2025) 539 days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Tuesday morning: Thank you for being one of more than 1,200 people supporting Utah Political Watch with your free subscription. I'm so thankful to have you as a reader! "Morning News Fix" is a subscriber-exclusive newsletter curating the morning's top news headlines to help you get informed before starting your day. As an independent watchdog journalist, I work tirelessly to hold elected officials accountable and keep you informed about Utah politics. This vital work takes time, resources, and dedication. Support impactful local journalism by becoming a paid subscriber to Utah Political Watch today. For just $5 per month—less than the cost of a coffee—you'll get exclusive access to in-depth political coverage that matters to you and your community. [Upgrade to paid ](https://utahpolitics.news/membership/) ## Utah Headlines Judge rules on outstanding matters in Utah school choice legal battle – clearing way for appeals. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/utah/2025/05/12/school-voucher-program-poised-for-appeal-process-following-court-ruling/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Advocates slam Utah law rolling back homeschool oversight after abuse death case. \[[KUTV](https://kutv.com/news/2news-investigates/advocates-slam-utah-law-rolling-back-homeschool-oversight-after-abuse-death-case?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah looks to Congress to peel back regulations and boost geothermal energy production. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/05/12/geothermal-energy-in-utah-celeste-maloy/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Why the Trump administration may be weakening air quality standards for Salt Lake City. \[[Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2025/05/13/utah-air-quality-trump-admin-may/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Salt Lake City close to annexing more land after hitting unexpected snag. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51311558/salt-lake-city-close-to-annexing-more-land-after-hitting-unexpected-snag-?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] "The orange rhino": Experts unpack the optimistic and pessimistic impacts of Trump's tariffs. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/05/13/the-orange-rhino-optimistic-and-pessimistic-impacts-of-trump-tariffs/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The 2024-25 ski season wasn't the busiest on record, but it was close. \[[Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2025/05/13/2024-25-ski-season-was-second/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Hundreds of people paid for one, so where's the Great Salt Lake license plate? \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/great-salt-lake-collaborative/hundreds-paid-for-one-so-wheres-the-great-salt-lake-license-plate?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ## National/International Here's what's in the House GOP tax bill \[[Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-12/salt-tips-and-auto-loans-a-guide-to-the-house-gop-tax-bill?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - No tax hike on millionaires. - Maximum child tax credit would rize from $2,000 to $2,500. - No income taxes on tips, overtime wages through 2028. - Interest on auto loans would be deductible through 2028. - Private universities would face a massive tax increase on the investment income generated by their endowments. - The tax credit for the purchase of electric vehicles would be eliminated by 2026. Inflation was lower than expected in April, coming in at 2.3%. Consumer prices rose 0.2% for the month. \[[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/13/cpi-inflation-april-2025.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] JP Morgan has dropped its probability forecast of an economic recession to below 50%. \[[Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-13/jpmorgan-drops-us-recession-call-after-us-china-trade-truce?srnd=homepage-americas&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Donald Trump would likely have to waive existing security specifications to use the $400 million plane offered by the Qatari government as Air Force One. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/05/12/trump-qatar-747-gift-security/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Newark Liberty International Airport had as few as three air traffic controllers scheduled to work on Monday evening, far below the usual 14 controllers. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/12/business/newark-airport-delays-staffing-shortage.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] A new book reveals that former President Biden's physical deterioration was so severe in 2023 and 2024 that his aides privately discussed the possibility that he would need to use a wheelchair if he had won re-election. \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/05/13/biden-book-wheelchair-2024-campaign-original-sin?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] One in five Gazans are facing starvation. The entire territory is facing a risk of famine that is projected to worsen in the coming months. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/05/12/gaza-famine-report-looting/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Pentagon spent at least $21 million flying migrants to the Guantánamo Bay. The military base there currently holds just 32 migrants. \[[NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/pentagon-spent-least-21-million-flights-guantanamo-currently-holds-32-rcna206187?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ## Briefly... Some tech companies are learning that the remote information technology workers are actually North Korean cyber operatives who funneled their salaries to the North Korean government. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/12/north-korea-remote-workers-us-tech-companies-00340208?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Ticketmaster will now show the full price of tickets, including fees, upfront before checkout. \[[The Verge](https://www.theverge.com/news/665087/ticketmaster-all-in-prices-junk-fees?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The GSA has revoked a 2016 policy prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity in restrooms and other facilities in federal buildings. \[[FEDweek](https://www.fedweek.com/federal-managers-daily-report/gsa-revokes-gender-identity-policy-for-restrooms-other-facilities/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] A popular AI chatbot tutor for students provided detailed instructions on how to synthesize fentanyl, dangerous diet advice and information on other illegal activities. \[[Forbes](https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilybaker-white/2025/05/12/these-ai-tutors-for-kids-gave-fentanyl-recipes-and-dangerous-diet-advice/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### A temporary trade deal URL: https://utahpolitics.news/a-temporary-trade-deal/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:48:21.000Z ## Monday, May 12, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock 92 days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) 176 days until Election Day (11/4/2025) 540 days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Monday morning: Thank you for being one of more than 1,200 people supporting Utah Political Watch with your free subscription. I'm so thankful to have you as a reader! "Morning News Fix" is a subscriber-exclusive newsletter curating the morning's top news headlines to help you get informed before starting your day. As an independent watchdog journalist, I work tirelessly to hold elected officials accountable and keep you informed about Utah politics. This vital work takes time, resources, and dedication. Support impactful local journalism by becoming a paid subscriber to Utah Political Watch today. For just $5 per month—less than the cost of a coffee—you'll get exclusive access to in-depth political coverage that matters to you and your community. [Upgrade to paid ](https://utahpolitics.news/membership/) ## Utah Headlines Podcast: Could 74 Republicans beat one Salt Lake City Mayor in a fight over Pride flags? \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/podcast-could-74-republicans-beat-one-salt-lake-city-mayor-in-a-fight-over-pride-flags/)\] Elaine Hatch, wife of former U.S. Senator Orrin G. Hatch, dies at 91\. \[[KUTV](https://kutv.com/news/local/elaine-hatch-wife-of-former-us-senator-orrin-g-hatch-dies-at-91?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Inside the 24/7 fight at Utah's 2 busiest airports to keep migrating birds out of airplane engines. \[[Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/05/12/salt-lake-city-provo-airports/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ## National/International U.S beef prices are soaring as the country's cattle inventory reaches its lowest level in more than 70 years. Ranchers have been shrinking their herds as a years-long drought has dried up grazing lands. \[[Financial Times](https://www.ft.com/content/ffd23343-473a-448b-8de7-e509e04a7576?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The U.S. and China have agreed to lower tariffs on goods from each other's countries for 90 days. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/05/12/united-states-china-trade-war-eases/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Global markets surged on the news of the tariff pause between the U.S. and China. \[[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/11/stock-market-today-live-updates.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Zero ships from China are headed to California's largest ports. That hasn't happened since the pandemic. \[[CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/10/business/zero-ships-china-trade-ports-pandemic?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Donald Trump says he will sign an executive order to reduce prescription drug prices. However, a president cannot impose price controls via executive order. \[[CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/11/politics/trump-prescription-drug-prices?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] House Republicans are unveiling plans to reduce Medicaid spending, but the cuts won't be as aggressive as some had hoped. The proposal includes work requirements but won't lower the minimum share the federal government pays to states. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/house-republicans-medicaid-cuts-8164a810?mod=djemalertNEWS&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump has sat for just 12 daily intelligence briefings since taking office. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/09/trump-intelligence-briefing-frequency-00338946?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ## Briefly... Listeria outbreak hospitalizes at least 10 in California and Nevada. \[[NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/listeria-outbreak-california-nevada-rcna206131?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] A business owner tested if customers would pay more for American-made. The results were "sobering." \[[Business Insider](https://www.businessinsider.com/afina-shower-head-founder-tests-paying-more-american-made-2025-5?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Podcast: Could 74 Republicans beat one Salt Lake City Mayor in a fight over Pride flags? URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/podcast-could-74-republicans-beat-one-salt-lake-city-mayor-in-a-fight-over-pride-flags/ Last updated: 2025-12-05T23:09:25.000Z In this week's episode: Utah lawmakers face off against Salt Lake City in a battle over Pride flags. The state’s most successful signature gathering effort in history puts a union-busting bill on the ballot. Could Donald Trump influence the future leadership of the Utah Republican party? Plus, a deep dive into the upcoming GOP convention, where the party's direction hangs in the balance. Also, some corrections from last week's episode. If you'd like to sponsor this podcast, email me at [schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news](mailto:schott@utahpolitical) Don't forget to [subscribe to the podcast](https://specialsession.podbean.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) and leave a rating and review to help others discover the show. ### Republicans scale back tax cut plans URL: https://utahpolitics.news/republicans-scale-back-tax-cut-plans/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:48:12.000Z ## Friday, May 9, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock 95 days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) 179 days until Election Day (11/4/2025) 543 days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Friday morning: Thank you for being one of more than 1,200 people supporting Utah Political Watch with your free subscription. I'm so thankful to have you as a reader! "Morning News Fix" is a subscriber-exclusive newsletter curating the morning's top news headlines to help you get informed before starting your day. As an independent watchdog journalist, I work tirelessly to hold elected officials accountable and keep you informed about Utah politics. This vital work takes time, resources, and dedication. Support impactful local journalism by becoming a paid subscriber to Utah Political Watch today. For just $5 per month—less than the cost of a coffee—you'll get exclusive access to in-depth political coverage that matters to you and your community. [Upgrade to paid ](https://utahpolitics.news/membership/) ## Utah Headlines Utah AG Brown backed Ed Martin for U.S. attorney before Trump pulled nomination. \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-ag-brown-backed-ed-martin-for-u-s-attorney-before-trump-pulled-nomination/)\] Utah GOP delegation backs bill to rename Gulf of Mexico. \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-gop-delegation-backs-bill-to-rename-gulf-of-mexico/)\] Trump weighs in on Utah GOP chair race by endorsing incumbent. \[[KSL](https://ksltv.com/local-news/trump-axson-endorse/772588/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Why these Utah legislators traveled to Washington to address key Western issues. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/utah/2025/05/08/trump-utah-lawmakers-food-forests/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Funding for water and wildlife conservation in Utah now on Trump's list of budget cuts. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/05/09/trump-administration-budget-central-utah-project/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Is Maloy amendment good for Utah water infrastructure or massive land grab? \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/southern-utah/is-maloy-amendment-good-for-utah-water-infrastructure-or-massive-land-grab?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Despite strong start to winter and a "Miracle March," runoff into lake powell forecasted to be lowest in years. \[[Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2025/05/09/lake-powell-spring-runoff/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Former Gov. Herbert, Mike Pompeo talk tariffs, immigration, global policy at Trade Summit. \[[KUTV](https://kutv.com/news/local/former-gov-herbert-mike-pompeo-talk-tariffs-immigration-global-policy-at-trade-summit?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] New report sheds more light on how tariffs could impact Utah – but uncertainty still abounds. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/05/08/new-report-how-tariffs-could-impact-utah/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] How Trump's crackdown on student loan repayments could affect 320K Utah borrowers. \[[Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/education/2025/05/09/utah-trump-crackdown-student-loan/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Why has unpaid school lunch debt in Utah nearly doubled in 2 years? \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/community/erase-school-lunch-debt/why-has-unpaid-school-lunch-debt-in-utah-nearly-doubled-in-2-years?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Signature verification for collective bargaining referendum is complete. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/utah/2025/05/08/hb267-referendum-signature-verification-complete/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ## National/International Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter died Friday. He was 85 years old. \[[ABC News](https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/former-us-supreme-court-justice-david-souter-dies/story?id=71754441&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Republicans in Congress are scaling back their plans to cut taxes after running into difficulty finding enough spending cuts to pay for them. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/09/trump-tax-cuts-shrink-gop-megabill-00337330?template%5Fid=OTJIR2CRKUD6&variant%5Fid=OTV1GDUJ5B1ZS&is%5Flogin%5Flink=true&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Donald Trump is pushing Congressional Republicans to increase taxes on Americans earning at least $2.5 million or couples making $5 million to offset other proposed tax cuts. \[[Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-08/trump-seeks-tax-hike-on-wealthy-who-earn-2-5-million-or-more?srnd=homepage-americas&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Donald Trump says the 145% tariffs his administration slapped on goods coming from China will likely come down. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-says-we-know-china-tariffs-will-come-down-145-percent-2025-05-08/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The "earth-shattering" announcement teased by President Trump is a "most favored nation" plan to cut Medicare drug prices. \[[CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-big-announcement-medicare-drug-pricing-plan/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] India is accusing Pakistan of attacking three of its military bases. Pakistan is denying having any role. \[[BBC](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjrndypy3l4o?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Donald Trump is no longer demanding Saudi Arabia normalize ties with Israel as a condition for a nuclear deal with the U.S. \[[Times of Israel](https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-no-longer-demanding-saudis-recognize-israel-for-nuclear-deal-with-us-sources/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The U.S. and U.K. announced an agreement on the framework for a trade deal. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/economy/trade/trump-to-announce-trade-agreement-with-britain-bf937c67?mod=hp%5Flead%5Fpos1&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The military operation against Houthi rebels in Yemen has cost more than $1 billion so far. \[[NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/trump-operation-houthis-cost-1-billion-rcna205333?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump says he will appoint Fox News host Janine Pirro as interim attorney for Washington, D.C. \[[ABC News](https://abcnews.go.com/US/trump-eying-fox-news-host-jeanine-pirro-top/story?id=121604820&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ## Briefly... Air traffic control in the U.S. needs a major technology upgrade, but that would cost billions upfront. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/us-news/air-traffic-control-overhaul-needs-upfront-investment-transportation-secretary-says-97f1ed99?mod=hp%5Flistb%5Fpos1&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The measles outbreak in Texas is the largest in the U.S. since 2000\. \[[Texas Tribune](https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/08/texas-measles-spread-oklahoma-new-mexico/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Bitcoin jumped above $100,000 for the first time since February. \[[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/08/crypto-market-today.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Donald Trump's low approval ratings are in potential "blue wave" territory. \[[Strength in Numbers](https://www.gelliottmorris.com/p/trumps-approval-2026-blue-wave?publication%5Fid=6273&post%5Fid=163161965&isFreemail=true&r=2fku&triedRedirect=true&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Utah AG Brown backed Ed Martin for U.S. attorney before Trump pulled nomination URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-ag-brown-backed-ed-martin-for-u-s-attorney-before-trump-pulled-nomination/ Last updated: 2025-12-05T23:09:31.000Z Mere days before President Donald Trump [pulled the nomination of Ed Martin ](https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-ed-martin-nominee-dc-us-attorney/story?id=121563961&ref=utahpolitics.news)to be U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., Utah Attorney General Derek Brown [signed on to a letter](https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/sites/default/files/images/press/Martin%20Nomination%20Letter.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news) with 22 other Republican Attorneys General urging Senate Republicans to confirm him to the post. Martin, a Republican activist with no previous prosecutorial experience, was already serving in the position temporarily. Ultimately, his nomination was derailed by [several controversies](https://www.propublica.org/article/ed-martin-trump-interim-dc-us-attorney-secret-judge-attacks?ref=utahpolitics.news), including his defense of rioters charged in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol and his [association with an alleged Nazi sympathizer](https://www.npr.org/2025/05/01/nx-s1-5380933/ed-martin-trump-hale-cusanelli-antisemitic?ref=utahpolitics.news). The letter, [led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton](https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-ken-paxton-sends-letter-us-senate-support-confirming-ed-martin-us-attorney-district?ref=utahpolitics.news), praised Martin as “a conservative and man of faith,” and highlighted his efforts to reduce violent crime and reverse the “partisan abuses of prosecutorial power” during the Biden administration. The AGs dismissed swirling around Martin as a Democrat-led attempt at character assassination. “Senate Democrats used this same tired playbook to try to derail Justice (Brett) Kavanaugh’s nomination. They engaged in the same kind of hyperbole and hysterics last year and the year before in an attempt to tarnish the reputation of Justice (Clarence) Thomas,” the letter reads. “For Senate Democrats faced with a conservative nominee or official they do not like, the sky is always falling. This time is no different. We encourage Senate Republicans to act accordingly and turn a deaf ear to these attacks.” The nomination [collapsed earlier this week](https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/06/politics/ed-martin-nomination-trump-dc-prosecutor?ref=utahpolitics.news) when North Carolina Republican Sen. Tom Tillis said he could not vote to confirm Martin because of his views on the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot. In addition to defending accused rioters, Martin had publicly promoted conspiracy theories about the attack, including the debunked assertion that the violence was instigated by federal agents. Perhaps most shocking were Martin’s close ties to convicted Jan. 6 rioter, Timothy Hale-Cusanelli, are especially problematic. Prosecutors described Hale-Cusanelli as a “Nazi sympathizer” who has been photographed with a mustache resembling Adolf Hitler’s. Martin, who praised Hale-Cusanelli as an “amazing guy,” [tried to downplay their relationship](https://forward.com/fast-forward/714922/ed-martin-timothy-hale-cusanelli-antisemitism/?ref=utahpolitics.news), claiming he was unaware of Hale-Cusanelli’s previous antisemitic comments. Brown’s office has not responded to questions about why he endorsed Martin’s nomination despite those past controversies or his ties to Hale-Cusanelli. President Trump now reportedly eyeing [appointing Fox News personality Jeanine Pirro](https://www.axios.com/2025/05/08/trump-ed-martin-nomination-rescinded-us-attorney?ref=utahpolitics.news) instead. ### Utah GOP delegation backs bill to rename Gulf of Mexico URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-gop-delegation-backs-bill-to-rename-gulf-of-mexico/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T16:56:49.000Z Utah’s entire Republican delegation unanimously backed legislation Thursday that codifies [President Donald Trump’s executive order](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/restoring-names-that-honor-american-greatness/?ref=utahpolitics.news) to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. GOP Reps. Blake Moore, Burgess Owens, Celeste Maloy and Mike Kennedy threw their support behind [H.R. 276](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/276?ref=utahpolitics.news), which narrowly passed the House of Representatives 211-206 on mostly party lines. One Republican, Nebraska Congressman Don Bacon, broke ranks with his party to side with Democrats against the measure. All four Utah Representatives did not respond when Utah Political Watch reached out for comment. Reps. Maloy and Kennedy also voted in favor of the measure when it was [approved by the House Natural Resources Committee in March](https://naturalresources.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=416990&ref=utahpolitics.news). The legislation, introduced by Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, gives federal agencies 180 days to purge all references to "Gulf of Mexico" from official documents and maps, replacing them with the newly mandated "Gulf of America" designation. ### Trump to announce trade agreement with Britain URL: https://utahpolitics.news/trump-to-announce-trade-agreement-with-britain/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:48:07.000Z ## Thursday, May 8, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock 96 days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) 180 days until Election Day (11/4/2025) 544 days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Thursday morning: Thank you for being one of more than 1,200 people supporting Utah Political Watch with your free subscription. I'm so thankful to have you as a reader! "Morning News Fix" is a subscriber-exclusive newsletter curating the morning's top news headlines to help you get informed before starting your day. As an independent watchdog journalist, I work tirelessly to hold elected officials accountable and keep you informed about Utah politics. This vital work takes time, resources, and dedication. Support impactful local journalism by becoming a paid subscriber to Utah Political Watch today. For just $5 per month—less than the cost of a coffee—you'll get exclusive access to in-depth political coverage that matters to you and your community. [Upgrade to paid ](https://utahpolitics.news/membership/) ## Utah Headlines Utah Rep. Celeste Maloy proposes selling 11,000 acres of public land in Utah and Nevada to fund President Donald Trump's tax cuts. \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-rep-maloy-proposes-11-000-acre-public-land-sale-to-fund-trumps-tax-cuts/)\] Utah quietly removes transgender kids' mental health reports from DHHS website. \[[Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2025/05/08/utah-quietly-removes-reports-about/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] "Compassion that kills": Cox says "sea change" in Utah's homeless system is coming. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/05/08/compassion-that-kills-gov-spencer-cox-change-coming-to-utah-homeless-system/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah Democrats launch campaign to recruit more party candidates in local elections. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/utah/2025/05/07/utah-democrats-recruiting-drive-contest-every-race/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Weber State pauses tuition and fee increases for associate-degree students. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/northern-utah/weber-state-pauses-tuition-and-fee-increases-for-associate-degree-students?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ## National/International The U.S. and Israel have discussed the possibility of Washington leading a temporary post-war administration of Gaza. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-israel-discuss-possible-us-led-administration-gaza-sources-say-2025-05-07/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Trump administration is expected to announce a "comprehensive" trade agreement with Britain. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/07/business/economy/trump-trade-britain.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Trump administration says it won't lower tariffs on goods from China ahead of trade talks this weekend between U.S. and Chinese officials. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/07/us/politics/trump-tariffs-china-talks.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Vice President JD Vance says the Russians are "asking for too much" in negotiations to end the war with Ukraine. \[[CNN](https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/07/politics/vance-russia-ukraine-talks?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Ukraine is considering shifting away from linking its currency to the U.S. dollar and moving more closely to the euro. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-considers-shift-dollar-euro-amid-geopolitical-realignments-2025-05-07/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The United States is pushing countries facing tariffs to approve Elon Musk's Starlink. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/05/07/elon-musk-starlink-trump-tariffs/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Denmark's foreign minister says he will summon the U.S. ambassador to explain reports that the Trump administration has ordered spy agencies to focus on Greenland. \[[BBC](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0eley5gy8wo?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard used the same easily cracked password on several online accounts for years. \[[Wired](https://www.wired.com/story/tulsi-gabbard-dni-weak-password/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Some of the passwords Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth used to register for websites were exposed in data breaches and are publicly available on the internet. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/07/us/politics/hegseth-phone-security.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ## Briefly... Voice of America will feature content from the pro-Trump network OAN. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/07/us/politics/trump-voice-of-america.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] A new study shows teenagers with mental-health issues spend more time on social media than their peers. \[[Nature](https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-01359-7?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Utah Rep. Maloy proposes 11,000-acre public land sale to fund Trump's tax cuts URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-rep-maloy-proposes-11-000-acre-public-land-sale-to-fund-trumps-tax-cuts/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T16:57:40.000Z Utah Rep. Celeste Maloy has proposed selling off more than 11,000 acres of public land in Utah and Nevada to help pay for President Donald Trump’s massive tax cuts. Early Wednesday morning, Maloy and Nevada GOP Rep. Mark Amodei introduced a last-minute [amendment to the Republican megabill](https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/amodei-amendment-NVUT-Land-Sales.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news) extending President Trump’s tax cuts and enacting much of his agenda on taxes, energy and border policy. The amendment orders the sale of more than 11,000 acres of public land in Washington County and 60 acres in Beaver County. [Amodei said](https://www.eenews.net/articles/republicans-add-public-land-sales-to-reconciliation-bill/?ref=utahpolitics.news) selling those federally controlled lands would generate billions of dollars in revenue for the federal government. Maloy defended the proposal, arguing it would help local officials in southern Utah address the region’s rapidly expanding population. “Washington County, home to the city of St. George in southwest Utah in my district, is one of the fastest growing counties in the country. The influx of new residents, many from out of state, has significantly driven up housing demand. The median property value rose by almost 12% in just 2023,” Maloy said. Maloy emphasized the parcels listed in her amendment represent about a third of one percent of all the federally controlled land in the state, and would be sold to the City of St. George and the Washington County Water Conservancy District. “Because ​this ​is ​a ​desert ​region, ​Washington ​county ​is ​also ​proactively ​responding ​to ​the ​increasing ​pressures ​of ​water ​resources ​and ​water ​use. ​Many ​of ​the ​difficulties ​we ​face ​at ​a ​local ​level ​are, of course, ​related ​to ​the ​fact ​that ​the ​county ​is ​surrounded ​by ​federal ​land. ​Approximately ​82% ​of ​the ​county ​is ​federally ​managed, ​mostly ​BLM,” Maloy said. “The ​high ​percentage ​of ​federal ​lands ​impacts ​the ​local ​government's ​ability ​to ​work ​on ​economic ​and ​transportation ​development, ​manage ​natural ​resources ​and ​fully ​take ​advantage ​of ​recreational ​activities.” Maloy’s office did not respond to a request for comment from Utah Political Watch. The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from public lands advocates. Travis Hammill, Washington, D.C. director for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, condemned Maloy’s amendment as a hidden attempt to privatize public lands. “Rep. Maloy is hell-bent on selling off and privatizing public lands – attempting to do so in the dark of night, hoping her actions wouldn’t be noticed. She was dead wrong,” Hammill said in a statement. “This plan was cooked up behind closed doors, and Utahns and Americans aren’t going to let her get away with this. Her actions will be seen for what they truly are: a sell-off of public lands to pay for billionaire tax cuts. Shame on her.” ### Selling public lands to pay for tax cuts URL: https://utahpolitics.news/morning-news-brief-selling-public-lands-to-pay-for-tax-cuts/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:48:03.000Z ## Wednesday, May 7, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock 97 days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) 181 days until Election Day (11/4/2025) 545 days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Wednesday morning: Thank you for being one of more than 1,200 people supporting Utah Political Watch with your free subscription. I'm so thankful to have you as a reader! "Morning News Fix" is a subscriber-exclusive newsletter curating the morning's top news headlines to help you get informed before starting your day. As an independent watchdog journalist, I work tirelessly to hold elected officials accountable and keep you informed about Utah politics. This vital work takes time, resources, and dedication. Support impactful local journalism by becoming a paid subscriber to Utah Political Watch today. For just $5 per month—less than the cost of a coffee—you'll get exclusive access to in-depth political coverage that matters to you and your community. [Upgrade to paid ](https://utahpolitics.news/membership/) ## Utah Headlines Republicans in Congress want to sell off more than 11,000 acres of public lands in Utah and Nevada to pay for President Donald Trump's massive tax cuts. \[[Bloomberg](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/republicans-pay-trump-tax-cuts-113609211.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah anti-union law put on hold as referendum exceeds signature requirements. \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-anti-union-law-put-on-hold-as-referendum-exceeds-signature-requirements/)\] "800 pound gorilla": GOP chair hopeful urges party to flex political muscle. \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/800-pound-gorilla-gop-chair-hopeful-urges-party-to-flex-political-muscle/)\] Salt Lake City adopts 3 new flags to bypass new state flag law. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51308163/salt-lake-city-adopts-3-new-flags-to-bypass-new-state-flag-law-?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] This gay Utah mayor plans to keep pride flags in his city office as a state ban goes into effect. \[[Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/05/07/gay-utah-mayor-plans-keep-pride/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] These new Utah laws take effect Wednesday. \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51305218/these-new-utah-laws-take-effect-wednesday?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] "Counterproductive and cruel": Advocates form coalition to protect Medicaid from federal cuts. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/05/06/advocates-form-coalition-to-protect-medicaid-from-federal-cuts/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Where and when Utah will see higher wildfire risks this summer, Rocky Mountain Power meteorologists say. \[[Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/business/2025/05/06/utah-wildfires-rocky-mountain/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Salt Lake City mayor seeks record $512M budget but warns of "economic uncertainty." \[[KSL](https://www.ksl.com/article/51307958/salt-lake-city-mayor-seeks-record-512m-budget-but-warns-of-economic-uncertainty-?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah ranks as the best state in the nation – again. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/u-s-world/2025/05/06/utah-ranks-number-1-in-the-nation-us-news-and-world-report/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ## National/International The papal conclave gets underway today as 133 cardinals meet to elect the Catholic Church's 267th pope. \[[BBC](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c15v5n0knv3o?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] "Canada is not for sale." New Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney poured cold water on President Trump's pitch to annex Canada. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/06/carney-canada-not-for-sale-trump-tax-breaks-00331059?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Global shipping is grinding to a standstill, which means empty shelves in stores are coming. \[[Barrons](https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/ar-AA1EhmJR?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Top U.S. officials will hold trade talks with a high-level Chinese delegation in Switzerland. \[[Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/trump-china-trade-switzerland-bessent-2a3335ed92989dc4b3a74ea550b79b3f?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The U.S. trade deficit jumped 14% in March as businesses stockpiled goods to get ahead of President Trump's tariffs. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/economy/trade/u-s-trade-deficit-hits-record-as-companies-front-loaded-pharmaceuticals-5d7a1720?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's order to pause military aid to Ukraine in January caught the White House off guard. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/order-by-hegseth-cancel-ukraine-weapons-caught-white-house-off-guard-2025-05-06/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The U.S. reached a ceasefire agreement with Houthi rebels in Yemen. \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/05/06/houthi-ceasefire-trump-yemen-attacks?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The U.S. is increasing intelligence-gathering efforts regarding Greenland. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/world/greenland-spying-us-intelligence-809c4ef2?st=PBLZt7&reflink=article%5FcopyURL%5Fshare&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Two more federal judges blocked President Trump's use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport migrants. \[[CNN](https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/06/politics/judge-blocks-trump-administration-deport-migrants?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The U.S. may deport migrants to Libya for the first time this week. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-may-soon-deport-migrants-libya-military-flight-sources-say-2025-05-07/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Supreme Court says the Trump administration can proceed with plans to ban transgender people from the military. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/06/trump-ban-transgender-troops-scotus-ruling-00331383?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ## Briefly... President Trump plans to announce that the U.S. will now refer to the Persian Gulf as the Arabian Gulf or Gulf of Arabia. \[[Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/trump-persian-gulf-saudi-arabia-ce30874c27bc01426d93ad3c65a18844?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] 58 crypto wallets have made millions on Trump's meme coin. 764,000 have lost money, data shows. \[[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/06/trump-meme-coin-crypto.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Utah anti-union law put on hold as referendum exceeds signature requirements URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-anti-union-law-put-on-hold-as-referendum-exceeds-signature-requirements/ Last updated: 2025-12-05T20:59:21.000Z Utah Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson issued an order Tuesday putting the anti-union law passed by the Utah Legislature on hold after the referendum challenging the law had blown past the requirements to send the issue to voters. As of Tuesday, the referendum seeking to overturn HB267 had nearly doubled the statewide signature goal, and had met requirements in 23 of the state's 29 state Senate districts – eight more than the minimum needed for the ballot. > 🚨 H.B. 267 update. [pic.twitter.com/3wTkNkTt0g](https://t.co/3wTkNkTt0g?ref=utahpolitics.news) > > — Lt. Gov. Deidre M. Henderson (@LGHendersonUtah) [May 6, 2025](https://twitter.com/LGHendersonUtah/status/1919856913275355556?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news) Most new laws approved by the Legislature go into effect 60 days after adjournment, which is this Wednesday. Henderson's order pauses any enforcement of HB267 until one of two things occurs: either she determines that the referendum did not meet the signature requirements, which is extremely unlikely, or the governor issues a proclamation officially adding the issue to the ballot for the next statewide election. HB267 strips public sector labor unions of their ability to collectively bargain with employers over wages and benefits. Protect Utah Workers, the coalition behind the referendum effort cheered Henderson's announcement. “The Protect Utah Workers Coalition is proud that the Lt. Governor ordered a stay preventing HB267 from going into effect. This deeply unpopular bill would have stripped public workers of our rights. We are one step closer to letting voters, not politicians, decide the future of collective bargaining in Utah. Throughout the referendum process, we saw firsthand that voters overwhelmingly respect public workers and the vital services we provide to our communities," the group said in a statement. "This is proof that when workers unite, we win.” ### '800 pound gorilla': GOP chair hopeful urges party to flex political muscle URL: https://utahpolitics.news/800-pound-gorilla-gop-chair-hopeful-urges-party-to-flex-political-muscle/ Last updated: 2025-12-02T17:56:39.000Z The race for Utah Republican Party chairman has become a reflection of broader tensions within the GOP as incumbent Rob Axson seeks to become the party’s first multi-term leader since James Evans (2013-2017). After running unopposed two years ago, Axson now faces a challenge from former Rep. Phil Lyman, who lost a bitter and contentious gubernatorial primary to incumbent Spencer Cox last year. At Monday night's [Washington County Republican Women](https://www.washingtoncountyrepublicanwomen.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news)'s debate, the two candidates demonstrated stark stylistic differences despite sharing similar policy positions. Axson, a former top staffer for Sen. Mike Lee, advocated for working within existing political structures. In contrast, Lyman pushed for a more aggressive approach, urging the party to leverage its position as Utah's dominant political force. ### CAUCUS AND CONVENTION SYSTEM The debate highlighted both candidates' strong support for Utah's caucus system - where neighborhood meetings elect delegates who then choose candidates at conventions. That stance just happens to align with their immediate interests, as these same delegates will select the next party chair at the May 17 convention. The candidates sharply criticized SB54, the 2014 law that created an alternative path to the ballot through signature gathering, effectively diluting the power of the caucus-convention system. “I truly believe that this system of government, in spite of the attack that came 10 years ago from our legislature and is trying to hinder this process. We can overcome that by continually and sincerely working together,” Axson said. “Our will at the convention was completely overridden by SB54,” Lyman added. “The whole purpose was to do an end run around our system.” The issue has been Lyman’s bête noire for the last year. In his recent gubernatorial bid, he abandoned signature gathering after failing to collect enough names, then successfully focused on winning convention delegates. Despite defeating Cox at the convention, Lyman still faced a primary because Cox had qualified through signatures. Since his primary loss, Lyman has waged an unsuccessful campaign to challenge Cox's signature qualification. Despite a legislative audit finding no irregularities, Lyman continues to claim fraud without evidence. His repeated demands to access Cox's signature packets and election data have been denied under Utah law, which protects voter privacy. "We can't even look at the signatures, our own voter rolls, or the results of our own primary election," Lyman said during the debate, his frustration evident. "Who's going to stand up and check those signatures? Is the party going to step forward and say this is our Republican primary?" The two differ sharply on how to address SB54’s requirements. While both support repealing the law, their approaches reveal contrasting styles. Axson favors using legislative channels, while Lyman advocates for direct confrontation. “We don’t have to go and conform to anything. It’s still our party,” Lyman insisted, despite state law requiring parties to allow signature gathering to maintain their “qualified” status. Parties that reject this requirement become "registered" parties - ironically forcing their candidates to use only signature gathering to reach the ballot. Lyman's solution veered into unexpected territory. “If the state’s going to take that away, if the legislature, if the lieutenant governor is going to try to take that away, we should start looking to the federal government, to (Attorney General) Pam Bondi or (FBI Director) Kash Patel or somebody to say something is happening in Utah that is not right,” Lyman said. Axson distanced himself from this approach. While supporting SB54's repeal, he rejected confrontation with state authorities. “Any type of inference that I am not committed to this system and have not done everything in my power to fight for the repeal of SB54 and strengthening the caucus and convention system is not accurate. Am I willing to push back against the governor? Yes, I am. Have I done it? Yes, I have. Am I willing to break the law? No, I’m not,” Axson said. “If you want someone who’s going to break the law, I’m not your guy.” “I’m not saying Phil is going to break the law,” Axson quickly added. “I’m just saying that’s not me. I’m not going to do that because it’s my reputation and it’s your reputation as Republicans.” One of the more troubling exchanges on Monday night centered around the party’s relationship to the judiciary. Last summer, Republicans were infuriated when the [Utah Supreme Court put the state’s near-total ban on abortion on hold](https://apnews.com/article/abortion-utah-trigger-law-supreme-court-53d1705554419be862400ff60b93e01c?ref=utahpolitics.news) until a lower court can decide whether it’s constitutional. Since then, courts have ruled against lawmakers on proposed constitutional amendments, school vouchers, transgender girls competing in high school sports, gerrymandering and their ability to override citizen approved ballot initiatives. Both Axson and Lyman said the Utah GOP should play a larger role, helping to rein in what they see as judicial activism. “There is a tremendous vulnerability that we have as a state right now that we have to be prepared for. The party plays an important role and needs to continue to play an important role in pushing back against the judicial activism that we’re seeing here in Utah,” Axson said. Axson said he was particularly pleased that lawmakers removed the Utah Bar Association from being the “gatekeeper” on how judges are nominated. “Regardless who the governor was, you had this very liberal organization approving the list, then you’re picking from a list that met their approval. I don’t want the Bar Association’s approval. I want the approval of the people who have the majority vote here in Utah,” Axson said. Again, Lyman suggested the Utah GOP take a much more confrontational approach when it comes to checking the judiciary. “The Republican Party is the 800 pound gorilla in Utah, and we don’t flex our muscle. (The Legislature) acts like they’re the subjects of the courts. I’m not about breaking laws, and I don’t break laws, but I do challenge laws that need to be challenged,” Lyman said. Lyman rose to fame in 2014 when he was convicted and served jail time for organizing an illegal ATV protest ride in Recapture Canyon. He was pardoned by President Donald Trump in December 2020. “We (the Republican Party) should stand up and say we’re not going to put up with this. We’re not going to sit by while a judge overrides our abortion ban and 6,000 babies are killed in the meantime. There’s no way the party can justify having taken a passive approach to that. We are the 800 pound gorilla. We should flex our muscle, and I think we do it far too little,” Lyman said. ### Trump cuts off Harvard URL: https://utahpolitics.news/trump-cuts-off-harvard/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:47:58.000Z ## Tuesday, May 6, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock The deadline to verify signatures for the HB267 referendum is tomorrow. (5/7/2025) 98 days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) 182 days until Election Day (11/4/2025) 546 days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Tuesday morning: Thank you for being one of more than 1,200 people supporting Utah Political Watch with your free subscription. I'm so thankful to have you as a reader! "Morning News Fix" is a subscriber-exclusive newsletter curating the morning's top news headlines to help you get informed before starting your day. As an independent watchdog journalist, I work tirelessly to hold elected officials accountable and keep you informed about Utah politics. This vital work takes time, resources, and dedication. Support impactful local journalism by becoming a paid subscriber to Utah Political Watch today. For just $5 per month—less than the cost of a coffee—you'll get exclusive access to in-depth political coverage that matters to you and your community. [Upgrade to paid ](https://utahpolitics.news/membership/) ## Utah Headlines Utah GOP plan would boot signature-gathering candidates from party. \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-gop-plan-would-boot-signature-gathering-candidates-from-party/)\] Sen. Mike Lee's proposed cuts to SNAP would shift "huge costs" to states, including Utah. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/05/06/sen-mike-lee-proposed-cuts-snap-would-shift-huge-costs-states-including-utah/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Federal housing programs help Utahns avoid homelessness. Trump wants to cut them. \[[Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2025/05/06/utah-housing-trump-administartion/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] "Initiatives Initiative" group to seek help from Utah Supreme Court. \[Fox 13\] Utah sued the owner of a "major source of air pollutants" for air quality violations. \[[Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2025/05/06/utah-sues-natural-gas-company-over/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Federal budget cuts could jeopardize local drug treatment services. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/politics/federal-budget-cuts-could-jeopardize-local-drug-treatment-services?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah arts groups just saw thousands in funding pulled by the feds. Here's what was cut. \[[Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/artsliving/2025/05/06/utah-ballet-theater-arts-groups/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Will London host another Olympics after Utah's 2034 Winter Games? \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/utah/2025/05/05/london-may-bid-to-host-a-fourth-olympics-the-2040-summer-games-to-be-world-sporting-capital/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Nerves frayed as Utah student loans in default are once again due. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/saving-smarter/nerves-frayed-as-utah-student-loans-in-default-are-once-again-due?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ## National/International Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth used the Signal messaging app for official Pentagon business in at least a dozen separate chats. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/pete-hegseth-signal-chats-defense-department-pentagon-ec9a4daa?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Secretary Hegseth ordered a major restructuring of military leadership, cutting the ranks of generals and admirals. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/05/pentagon-officer-cuts-00329990?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] A group of 18 states sued the Trump administration over its halting of wind-energy projects. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/05/climate/lawsuit-wind-power-halt-trump-energy-emergency.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Attorneys General in 19 states and Washington, D.C. are challenging deep cuts to the U.S. Health and Human Services Agency in court. \[[Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/lawsuit-hhs-kennedy-attorneys-general-health-794d685fdb4e9855bc0840125677c372?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Trump administration has cut off Harvard University from receiving new research grants from the federal government. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/05/trump-bars-harvard-new-federal-research-funding-00330059?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - The European Commission unveiled a financial package to attract and retain scientists in an attempt to leverage the Trump administration's dismantling of research programs. \[[STAT](https://www.statnews.com/2025/05/05/europe-science-spending-researchers/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced expanded military operations in that may include seizing the entire Gaza Strip. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-cabinet-approves-expansion-gaza-offensive-broadcaster-kan-reports-2025-05-05/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Department of Homeland Security is offering undocumented migrants $1,000 to self deport. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/05/dhs-money-offer-migrants-self-deport-00326428?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Air traffic controllers at Newark Liberty International Airport lost radar and radio communication for nearly 90 seconds on April 28\. Multiple employees were placed on trauma leave following the incident. \[[Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-05/newark-radar-loss-left-controllers-guiding-blind-for-90-seconds?srnd=homepage-americas&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ## Briefly... The 1979 Clint Eastwood movie Escape from Alcatraz aired on a South Florida PBS station the night before President Trump announced he was reopening the prison. Trump was at Mar-a-Lago for most of the weekend. \[[Deadline](https://deadline.com/2025/05/trumps-escape-from-alcatraz-on-tv-1236386328/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] A federal judge ordered North Carolina election officials to certify the victory of a Democratic justice on the state Supreme Court. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/05/05/north-carolina-supreme-court-judge-certify/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Utah GOP plan would boot signature-gathering candidates from party URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-gop-plan-would-boot-signature-gathering-candidates-from-party/ Last updated: 2025-05-08T23:13:54.000Z The [Utah Republican Party](https://www.utgop.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news) will consider changes that could fundamentally reshape who gets to run for office under the GOP banner, with hardliners hoping to punish candidates who collect signatures to qualify for the ballot. One proposal that GOP delegates will vote on at next weekend’s state convention [would strip party membership for one year](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zm7j-3H-slu0DXcYwIClmDaQieMgClQP/edit?tab=t.0&ref=utahpolitics.news) from any candidate that collects signatures to secure a spot on the ballot, even if they’re unsuccessful. The same proposal also lowers the threshold for a candidate to win the party nomination outright at convention from 60% to a simple majority. It’s the latest attack on Utah’s dual path nominating system, which allows candidates to avoid elimination at the party convention by petitioning their their way into the primary election. The system, known as SB54, has been under fire from Republican Party delegates from almost the moment it was approved by lawmakers in 2014 as part of a compromise to save the caucus and convention system. Had these rules been in place during the 2024 election cycle, Utah’s political landscape might look dramatically different, with several prominent Republican leaders potentially sidelined: - Gov. Spencer Cox qualified for the gubernatorial primary via signatures where he defeated Phil Lyman. However, Lyman won the convention vote and would have avoided a primary. - Sen. John Curtis collected signatures and won a four-way GOP primary over Trent Staggs, Brad Wilson and Jason Walton. In this scenario, Staggs would have won the nomination outright at the convention, negating a primary. Along with Curtis, Wilson, Walton and Brent Hatch would be former Republicans because they either gathered or attempted to gather signatures. - Paul Miller, and not Rep. Blake Moore, would represent the 1st District in Congress. Moore collected signatures. Miller defeated Moore in the convention vote but lost in the primary. - Colby Jenkins, who narrowly lost to incumbent Celeste Maloy in the 2nd Congressional District GOP primary, would not have gotten that chance because he attempted to collect signatures and lost the convention vote to Maloy. - Frank Mylar would likely be Utah’s Attorney General instead of Derek Brown. Brown collected signatures, but finished third at the state convention behind Mylar and Rachel Terry. The changes would also impact numerous Republican incumbents in the Utah Legislature potentially forcing out six in the Utah Senate and nearly half of the GOP caucus in the House (31). This includes some key leadership positions. - House Speaker Mike Schultz - House Majority Leader Jefferson Moss - House Majority Whip Karianne Lisonbee - Senate Majority Whip Mike McKell Another proposal is a response to the situation that unfolded after former [Rep. Kera Birkeland abruptly resigned her spot in the Legislature](https://utahpolitics.news/rep-kera-birkeland-resigns-from-utah-legislature/) a few weeks after she had won re-election to another term. Kris Campbell lost to Birkeland twice as the Democratic nominee, but switched affiliation to the GOP to run in the special election to replace her. To prevent a similar situation in the future, [candidates would be required](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VX4%5FY%5FhoYdwUHVEpJJnNGdQHRkNJwKnTZovtQIWQNfE/edit?tab=t.0&ref=utahpolitics.news) to be registered as a Republican for the previous year before launching their candidacy. In an explanation attached to the proposition, sponsor Aaron Bullen says he wants to make sure candidates have “buy in” to what the GOP stands for. “I fundamentally believe someone’s first act as a ‘Republican’ should not be to run for elected office,” Bullen writes. Under Utah law, a candidate must be registered as a member of the political party of which they’re seeking the nomination unless party rules permit it. There is no requirement that they be registered for a specified length of time. Bullen’s proposal would only apply in the case of a special election to fill a vacancy in the Legislature. To be adopted, amendments to the Utah GOP constitution require a two-thirds vote from delegates. The Utah Republican State Convention is set for Saturday, May 17 at [Utah Valley University](https://www.utgop.org/organizing%5Fconvention%5F2025%5Fagenda?ref=utahpolitics.news). ### Reopening Alcatraz URL: https://utahpolitics.news/a-m-news-brief-reopening-alcatraz/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:47:53.000Z ## Monday, May 5, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock 2 days remaining to verify signatures for the HB267 referendum. (5/7/2025) 99 days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) 183 days until Election Day (11/4/2025) 547 days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Monday morning: Thank you for being one of more than 1,200 people supporting Utah Political Watch with your free subscription. I'm so thankful to have you as a reader! "Morning News Fix" is a subscriber-exclusive newsletter curating the morning's top news headlines to help you get informed before starting your day. As an independent watchdog journalist, I work tirelessly to hold elected officials accountable and keep you informed about Utah politics. This vital work takes time, resources, and dedication. Support impactful local journalism by becoming a paid subscriber to Utah Political Watch today. For just $5 per month—less than the cost of a coffee—you'll get exclusive access to in-depth political coverage that matters to you and your community. [Upgrade to paid ](https://utahpolitics.news/membership/) ## Utah Headlines The Great Salt Lake is drying. Can Utah save it? \[[New York Times gift link](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/05/us/great-salt-lake-utah.html?unlocked%5Farticle%5Fcode=1.E08.koAt.euJdRQDvbTzo&smid=url-share&ref=utahpolitics.news)\]. As Utah's fluoride ban begins, health officials urge Utahns to protect their teeth. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/05/05/utah-fluoride-ban-drinking-water-begins-may-7/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah is producing more oil than ever. Even more could be on its way if a controversial railway gets built. \[[Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2025/05/05/uinta-basin-railway-utah-produced/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Could an AI "hallucination" ruin your reputation? A conservative activist says it did. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/05/02/robby-starbuck-files-defamation-lawsuit-against-meta/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Woman who held Elizabeth Smart captive for months is arrested after visiting park. \[[NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/elizabeth-smart-kidnapper-arrested-rcna204569?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ## National/International President Donald Trump was asked if he has to "uphold the Constitution." He replied, "I don't know." \[[NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/trump-asked-uphold-constitution-says-dont-know-rcna204580?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump said on social media that he's directed his government to rebuild and reopen the Alcatraz prison in California. The site is currently a museum. \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/05/05/trump-alcatraz-prison-rebuild-reopen?ref=utahpolitics.news)\]' The "big, beautiful bill" to enact much of President Trump's agenda is running into problems as Republicans in Congress keep adding red lines they're unwilling to cross. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/05/05/trump-policy-bill-congress-red-lines/?pwapi%5Ftoken=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNzQ2NDE3NjAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNzQ3Nzk5OTk5LCJpYXQiOjE3NDY0MTc2MDAsImp0aSI6IjBmMWVhZjdhLWJlZTEtNDcxMS1iNzI4LThlNDllY2QyNTc1NSIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9wb2xpdGljcy8yMDI1LzA1LzA1L3RydW1wLXBvbGljeS1iaWxsLWNvbmdyZXNzLXJlZC1saW5lcy8ifQ.LLpjDHCHPSWcZTXszgCbhr%5FNXJE4dgH09ZP5YnNhh7s&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump says he's willing to lower tariffs on China because the two countries have essentially stopped doing business with each other. \[[Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-04/trump-signals-willingness-to-lower-china-tariffs-at-some-point?fromMostRead=true&sref=nXmOg68r&embedded-checkout=true&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] 46% of Americans say President Trump is mostly responsible for today's economy while 27% say Joe Biden bears responsibility. \[[Gallup](https://news.gallup.com/poll/660194/say-trump-rather-biden-economy.aspx?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Conservatives in Congress want to include a proposal to shred hundreds of federal regulations in their massive party-line energy, tax and border security megabill. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/05/conservative-republicans-reins-act-budget-reconciliation-00319030?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump attacked Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum after she rejected his proposal to allow U.S. troops to operate inside her country to thwart drug cartels. \[[Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/trump-sheinbaum-mexico-drug-cartels-c2113e74cfc122f8f5a9e162644a470f?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Justice Department division that enforces voting rights laws is changing its focus to investigating voter fraud and making sure elections aren't marred by "suspicion." \[[Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-voting-rights-elections-fraud-0717d58a10daa11b3957d277a7ca8e0e?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Wednesday is the deadline for having a Real ID compliant license to board a commercial aircraft in the U.S. \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/05/03/real-id-deadline-dmv-appointment-travel-delays?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] More than 15,000 Department of Agriculture employees have taken the Trump Administration's offer to resign – roughly 15% of the department's workforce. \[[Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/03/more-than-15000-employees-resign-agriculture-department-trump-00324834?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Crude oil prices tumble after OPEC agrees to surge production by 411,000 barrels per day. \[[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/04/us-oil-prices-tumble-after-opec-agrees-to-surge-production-in-june.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The federal government resumes collecting defaulted student loan payments from millions of people today. \[[NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/student-loan-collections-restart-explained-rcna204494?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ## Briefly... President Trump defended the estimated $45 million price-tag for his planned military parade in Washington, D.C. on his birthday. \[[NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/trump-defends-high-cost-military-parade-peanuts-rcna204581?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump announced plans to implement a 100% tariff on movies made in other countries and imported to the United States. \[[NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/trump-announces-new-tariffs-foreign-movies-rcna204747?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The National Endowment for the Arts has begun terminating grants to arts organizations after President Trump proposed eliminating the agency in his next budget. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/03/arts/national-endowment-for-the-arts-grants.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Chinese exporters "wash" their products in third countries to avoid Donald Trump's tariffs. \[[Financial Times](https://www.ft.com/content/147fddbb-7031-4347-9251-4425614e138d?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Facebook allegedly detected when teen girls deleted selfies so it could serve them beauty ads. \[[Futurism](https://futurism.com/facebook-beauty-targeted-ads?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] California is running out of license plate numbers. \[[Los Angeles Times](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-04-25/california-is-running-out-of-license-plate-numbers-heres-the-license-plate-sequence-starting-next-year?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Podcast: More L's than the Planet Krypton URL: https://utahpolitics.news/podcasts/podcast-more-ls-than-the-planet-krypton/ Last updated: 2025-05-08T23:14:01.000Z In this week's episode of "Special Session with Bryan Schott": The Utah Legislature faces a tough reality as the referendum to overturn the anti-union bill surpasses its signature goal, signaling a significant pushback against Republican lawmakers. A judge's ruling that the state's private school voucher program is unconstitutional leaves legislative leaders scrambling to respond. With no veto override session on the horizon, Governor Spencer Cox's vetoes remain intact Plus a conversation with former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman, co-founder of the Forward Party, as we discuss the recent merger with the United Utah Party and the unique structure of this new political entity. How will they navigate the challenges of a two-party system? What strategies will they employ to resonate with voters? If you'd like to sponsor this podcast, email me at [schott@utahpoliticalwatch.news](mailto:schott@utahpolitical) Don't forget to [subscribe to the podcast](https://specialsession.podbean.com/?ref=utahpolitics.news) and leave a rating and review to help others discover the show. ### Trump escalates feud with Harvard URL: https://utahpolitics.news/a-m-news-update-trump-escalates-feud-with-harvard/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:47:42.000Z ## Friday, May 2, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock 6 days remaining to verify signatures for the HB267 referendum. (5/7/2025) 103 days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) 187 days until Election Day (11/4/2025) 551 days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Friday morning: Thank you for being one of more than 1,200 people supporting Utah Political Watch with your free subscription. I'm so thankful to have you as a reader! "Morning News Fix" is a subscriber-exclusive newsletter curating the morning's top news headlines to help you get informed before starting your day. As an independent watchdog journalist, I work tirelessly to hold elected officials accountable and keep you informed about Utah politics. This vital work takes time, resources, and dedication. Support impactful local journalism by becoming a paid subscriber to Utah Political Watch today. For just $5 per month—less than the cost of a coffee—you'll get exclusive access to in-depth political coverage that matters to you and your community. [Upgrade to paid ](https://utahpolitics.news/membership/) ## Utah Headlines Utah Sens. Lee and Curtis vote against bipartisan effort to reverse Trump tariffs. \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/utah-sens-lee-and-curtis-vote-against-bipartisan-effort-to-reverse-trump-tariffs/)\] Sen. Mike Lee has sponsored a bill with Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley to end production of the one-cent coin. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/republicans-and-democrats-can-agree-on-this-stop-minting-pennies-9a39978d?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] No veto override session this year, Utah legislative leaders say. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/05/01/no-veto-override-session-this-year-utah-legislative-leaders-say/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] PornHub blocked Utah 2 years ago. A lot has happened since. \[[KUER](https://www.kuer.org/politics-government/2025-05-02/pornhub-blocked-utah-2-years-ago-a-lot-has-happened-since?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah governor, state courts hit with lawsuit over new disability law. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/05/02/aclu-disability-law-center-sue-utah-governor-state-courts-over-guardianship-law/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Sen. John Curtis passes first Senate legislation, attempts to undo Biden-era EPA rule. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/05/01/sen-john-curtis-passes-first-legislation-in-senate/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utahns pay the lowest rates in U.S. for electricity, even as one of the state's biggest, dirtiest power sources declines. \[[Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2025/05/02/utah-energy-electricity-prices/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah Tech University to cut Spanish, American Sign Language programs under House Bill 265\. \[[Fox 13](https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/southern-utah/utah-tech-university-to-cut-spanish-american-sign-language-programs-under-house-bill-265?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Homebuilders offer bigger incentives to lure buyers. \[[Deseret News](https://www.deseret.com/utah/2025/05/01/home-builders-offer-bigger-incentives-to-lure-buyers-as-more-homes-remain-unsold/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Inpatient mental health treatment at SLC V.A. halted, but officials won't say why. \[[Tribune](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZM4DK2Io9I&list=PL9aHZKbbufMbaSv55BXZBbCQh8aFMXawZ&index=18&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ## National/International The U.S. economy added 177, jobs in April, beating expectations. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.2%. \[[CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/02/economy/what-to-expect-from-fridays-jobs-report?bt%5Fee=Dagqa5WUg3PxNLUeZ00n6OcLpgXsTGrbfme9NgXGky37u97lzeksYdH%2BSwOXP9fN&bt%5Fts=1746190408512&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Donald Trump says he's "taking away" Harvard's tax-exempt status. \[[ABC News](https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-taking-harvards-tax-exempt-status/story?cid=social%5Ftwitter%5Fabcn&id=121391407&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Chinese officials said they would be open to trade talks with the Trump administration, but only if it cancels tariffs on Chinese goods. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/02/world/asia/china-us-tariffs-talks.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - More companies are warning consumers they are raising prices because of tariffs. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/02/us/politics/companies-tariffs-price-increases.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump is expected to propose budget cuts to federal programs totaling more than $163 billion in his budget blueprint. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-to-propose-slashing-163-billion-in-government-programs-in-budget-blueprint-86309f80?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] A federal judge said President Donald Trump's use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan migrants was unlawful and permanently blocked removals in South Texas. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2025/05/01/trump-texas-alien-enemies-act-block/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump threatened sanctions on any country that buys oil from Iran. \[[Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-nuclear-talks-oman-8121e584d9e6c63c5f3cd8e4b1654f81?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] President Trump's family and their associates have raked in billions of dollars in profits during his first 100 days in office. \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/05/02/trump-crypto-world-liberty-business-profit?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] In a late night post on social media, President Trump said Democrats who try to impeach him should be expelled from Congress. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/05/02/trump-presidency-news/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ## Briefly... Trump wants a new Air Force One so badly he's refurbishing a Qatari plane. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/business/airlines/air-force-one-trump-qatari-jet-l3harris-fc903838?mod=hp%5Flead%5Fpos9&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Autism evaluations are being canceled over fears about a national registry. \[[STAT](https://www.statnews.com/2025/05/01/autism-registry-fears-hurt-diagnosis-screening-parents-cancel-autism-evaluations/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Report: 1 in 4 Americans worry Chinese Americans are a threat. \[[AsAmNews](https://asamnews.com/2025/05/01/the-asian-american-foundation-taaf-staatus-survey-loyalty/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Trump signs order seeking to end federal funding for NPR and PBS. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/media/2025/05/02/trump-npr-pbs-executive-order-funding-cut/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] 75% of North America's bird species are in decline according to a new study. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2025/05/01/bird-loss-population-decline/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ### Utah Sens. Lee and Curtis vote against bipartisan effort to reverse Trump tariffs URL: https://utahpolitics.news/utah-sens-lee-and-curtis-vote-against-bipartisan-effort-to-reverse-trump-tariffs/ Last updated: 2025-05-08T13:37:09.000Z Utah Sens. Mike Lee and John Curtis sided with most of their Senate Republican colleagues against [a bipartisan proposal ](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/49/cosponsors?ref=utahpolitics.news)that would have reversed the tariffs President Donald Trump has imposed on nearly every country. [The measure ended in a 49-49 tie on Wednesday](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/senate-vote-measure-undo-trumps-global-tariffs-rcna203668?ref=utahpolitics.news), with three Republican senators — Rand Paul, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski — crossing party lines to vote with Democrats. Later Wednesday evening, both Lee and Curtis voted to table a Democratic-led motion that would allow them to bring the tariff resolution up for another vote next week, which passed after Vice President JD Vance cast the tie breaking vote. Neither Lee nor Curtis responded to a request for comment. The tariffs could significantly impact Utah's economy, according to a [Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute report](https://d36oiwf74r1rap.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/IntTrade-May2024.pdf?ref=utahpolitics.news). In 2023, Utah imported $18.6 billion in goods from 151 countries, with $10.9 billion—nearly 60% of all imports—coming from just four nations: the United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico and China. Utah exported $17.4 billion to 200 countries in 2023, with $11.4 billion directed to those same four trading partners. Trump’s proposed tariffs are wildly unpopular according to public opinion polling. Nearly two thirds of Americans disapprove of the tariffs [according to a recent ABC News survey](https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/thirds-americans-disapprove-trump-tariffs-inflation-broad-concern/story?id=121123815&ref=utahpolitics.news). [A Gallup poll](https://news.gallup.com/poll/660002/americans-skeptical-benefits-tariffs.aspx?ref=utahpolitics.news) shows nearly 90% of Americans say they expect prices to rise due to tariffs. ### Senate votes against stopping Trump's tariffs URL: https://utahpolitics.news/morning-news-brief-senate-votes-against-stopping-trumps-tariffs/ Last updated: 2025-07-09T15:47:36.000Z ## Thursday, May 1, 2025 ## ⏰ Tick Tock 7 days remaining to verify signatures for the HB267 referendum. (5/7/2025) 104 days to Utah's 2025 municipal primary elections (8/12/2025) 188 days until Election Day (11/4/2025) 552 days until the 2026 midterm elections (11/3/2026) ## 👀 Here's what you need to know for Thursday morning: Thank you for being one of more than 1,200 people supporting Utah Political Watch with your free subscription. I'm so thankful to have you as a reader! "Morning News Fix" is a subscriber-exclusive newsletter curating the morning's top news headlines to help you get informed before starting your day. As an independent watchdog journalist, I work tirelessly to hold elected officials accountable and keep you informed about Utah politics. This vital work takes time, resources, and dedication. Support impactful local journalism by becoming a paid subscriber to Utah Political Watch today. For just $5 per month—less than the cost of a coffee—you'll get exclusive access to in-depth political coverage that matters to you and your community. [Upgrade to paid ](https://utahpolitics.news/membership/) ## Utah Headlines Signal-gate shutdown. Utah Republicans vote to block Hegseth investigation. \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/signal-gate-shutdown-utah-republicans-vote-to-block-hegseth-investigation/)\] HB267 referendum update: Another Senate district hits signature goal. \[[Utah Political Watch](https://utahpolitics.news/hb267-referendum-update-another-senate-district-hits-signature-goal/)\] Judge considers contempt as Trump complicates Utah's court fight over trans athletes. \[[KUER](https://www.kuer.org/politics-government/2025-04-30/judge-considers-contempt-as-trump-complicates-utahs-court-fight-over-trans-athletes?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] 3.9 magnitude earthquake shakes Utah; no damage or injuries reported. \[[USA Today](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/05/01/earthquake-utah-today-2025/83383309007/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah lawmakers came up with the 988 crisis line. They have differing views on possible Trump cuts to LGBTQ+ help. \[[Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2025/05/01/988-crisis-line-idea-utah/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] New state law to raise distance requirement for students to qualify for bus transportation. \[[KUTV](https://kutv.com/news/crisis-in-the-classroom/new-state-law-to-raise-distance-requirement-for-students-to-qualify-for-bus-transportation?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Feds accused a Utah company of "deceptively" promoting a COVID treatment. Under Trump, they've abruptly dropped their case. \[[Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/business/2025/05/01/utah-feds-drop-deceptive-covid-19/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Herriman wants to build a regional park. It just signed off on almost 450 new homes to make it work. \[[Tribune](https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/05/01/herriman-strikes-deals-with/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Utah hockey club's permanent name might have just been revealed in the strangest way imaginable. \[[The Sporting News](https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nhl/news/tah-hockey-clubs-permanent-name/fc30360974c108b2f9e77961?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Smith Entertainment Group unveils one-of-a-kind vision for Delta Center remodel. \[[Utah News Dispatch](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/04/30/smith-entertainment-group-unveils-one-of-a-kind-vision-for-delta-center-remodel/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ## National/International A bi-partisan proposal to undo President Donald Trump's tariffs failed in the Senate on Wednesday. Even if it had passed, it was unlikely the measure would be taken up in the House of Representatives. \[[NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/senate-vote-measure-undo-trumps-global-tariffs-rcna203668?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The U.S. economy shrank 0.3% in the first quarter of 2025, the first drop in three years. \[[Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/economy-trump-gdp-tariffs-inflation-trade-28a0da24c803c4796eb32704cd0244cc?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - Companies slowed down hiring dramatically in April. Private sector payrolls rose by just 62,000, the smallest gain since July 2024\. \[[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/30/adp-jobs-report-april-2025.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] - General Motors lowered its profit projections for the next year by $5 billion because of President Trump's tariffs. \[[Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-01/gm-lowers-guidance-as-trump-tariffs-will-cost-up-to-5-billion?taid=68134f9c8745050001de45a5&embedded-checkout=true&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Republicans in Congress are downplaying fears that President Donald Trump's economic policies will cause an economic recession. \[[Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/05/01/republicans-recession-tariffs-trump/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Thousands of Americans are expected to participate in "May Day" protests across the country on Thursday. \[[USA Today](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/05/01/may-day-protests-trump-musk-billionaires/83362729007/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] The Trump administration has discussed the possibility of deporting migrants with criminal records to Libya and Rwanda. \[[CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/30/politics/migrants-libya-rwanda-trump?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Tesla board members privately started a search to replace Elon Musk as CEO. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/business/autos/tesla-musk-ceo-search-board-0ce61af9?mod=hp%5Flead%5Fpos1&ref=utahpolitics.news)\] A bipartisan bill is expected to be introduced in Congress on Thursday calling for the U.S. Mint to end production of the penny. \[[Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/republicans-and-democrats-can-agree-on-this-stop-minting-pennies-9a39978d?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Justices on the Supreme Court seem open to allowing Oklahoma to use public money to fund the nation's first religious charter school. \[[New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/30/us/politics/supreme-court-charter-school.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] ## Briefly... The White House has launched a new website called "White House Wire" to promote pro-Trump news coverage. \[[Axios](https://www.axios.com/2025/04/30/trump-white-house-drudge-style-website-launch?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Four current and former students at the University of Texas at Austin sued Texas Governor Greg Abbott alleging they were arrested unlawfully for pro-Palestinian demonstrations. \[[Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/students-sue-texas-university-governor-over-gaza-protest-arrests-2025-05-01/?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Florida is poised to become the next state to ban fluoride in drinking water. \[[Miami Herald](https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article305335416.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] Starter homes cost at least $1 million in over 200 U.S. cities. \[[CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/30/zilllow-starter-homes-cost-at-least-1-million-in-over-200-us-cities.html?ref=utahpolitics.news)\] _Includes the latest 500 public posts. 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