Investigations - Utah Political Watch

Utah lawmakers spent $10 million on a race car with no public debate

Records obtained by Utah Political Watch show the state's share of the $20 million purchase of the Mormon Meteor III, matched by a donation from Rio Tinto Kennecott, moved through the Legislature with almost no scrutiny.

By Bryan Schott

/ 8 Sep 2026

Utah lawmakers spent $10 million on a race car with no public debate

Utah's natural resources chief took state-funded Argentina trip days before stepping down

The Department of Natural Resources says Joel Ferry's expertise justified his spot on the trip, but the state agency that organized it wouldn't say what Utah gains from sending a commissioner who's leaving in less than two weeks.

By Bryan Schott

/ 20 Aug 2026

Utah's natural resources chief took state-funded Argentina trip days before stepping down

$21,000 in missing donations and zero reported expenses: Davis County GOP's financial disclosures don't add up

The Davis County Republican Party (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

By Bryan Schott

/ 21 Jul 2026

$21,000 in missing donations and zero reported expenses: Davis County GOP's financial disclosures don't add up

Utah lawmakers hired a D.C. law firm to defend their repeal of Prop. 4. The tab: $1.86 million.

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

By Bryan Schott

/ 9 Jul 2026

Utah lawmakers hired a D.C. law firm to defend their repeal of Prop. 4. The tab: $1.86 million.

Mystery PAC drops $35K in attack ads against Blake Moore. The money trail leads to an ally of Sen. Mike Lee's front door

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

By Bryan Schott

/ 2 Jun 2026

Mystery PAC drops $35K in attack ads against Blake Moore. The money trail leads to an ally of Sen. Mike Lee's front door

Utah House Republicans charge taxpayers for swanky resort retreat

Utah taxpayers picked up a $26,584 tab for a day‑and‑a‑half House Republican retreat at the swanky Zermatt Resort near Midway. The charge covers dozens of rooms

By Bryan Schott

/ 4 Dec 2025

Utah House Republicans charge taxpayers for swanky resort retreat

Utah Senate leader's defense of granddaughter in sexual assault case: She wanted victim to feel included

In a letter to the court, Utah Senate President Stuart Adams and his wife called the sexual assault "extremely unfortunate."

By Bryan Schott

/ 12 Sep 2025

Utah Senate leader's defense of granddaughter in sexual assault case: She wanted victim to feel included

Last act: Utah economic chief approved $3.2M grant for future employer's parent organization

Former economic development chief Ryan Starks approved millions in taxpayer funds for the Salt Lake Chamber Foundation just days before announcing new role with Chamber-affiliated group. The grant was later canceled over conflict concerns.

By Bryan Schott

/ 3 Sep 2025

Last act: Utah economic chief approved $3.2M grant for future employer's parent organization

The math behind Utah's gerrymander: How Utah Republicans split Democratic voters with surgical precision

How do you engineer a congressional map to eliminate political competition? Utah Republicans found a way—by splitting up Democratic voters so equally the variation was under 4%.

By Bryan Schott

/ 2 Sep 2025

The math behind Utah's gerrymander: How Utah Republicans split Democratic voters with surgical precision

A Wyoming shell company and a man who may not exist. Who is really behind the Salt Lake City 'No Kings' protest?

Who organized the “No Kings” protest in downtown Salt Lake City, where an armed “safety volunteer” shot and killed a protester? Answers are proving difficult to come by because the

By Bryan Schott

/ 26 Jun 2025