POLITICS + GOVERNMENT

Show hosts say Utah GOP discriminates against women candidates

May 24, 2022, 7:00 AM

Utah female senators walk out abortion...

All six of Utah's female state senators walked out to protest an invasive abortion ultrasound included in legislation strengthening abortion laws in Utah. Pictured from left to right are Ann Millner, Karen Mayne, Jan Iwamoto, Luz Escamilla, Deidre Henderson and Kathleen Riebe. (Photo courtesy Twitter, Utah Senate Democrats)

(Photo courtesy Twitter, Utah Senate Democrats)

SALT LAKE CITY —  The Utah Republican Party now only allows candidates who win at convention to use its valuable nonprofit-postage rate and mailing lists. Overall, in 2022, 26% (27 of 104) of Utah legislators are women, gaining one GOP seat from 2021, according to The Status of Women in Utah Politics: A 2022 Update.

The party affiliation for women legislators in Utah is now: 4 Dems and 1 Republican in the Senate; 12 Dems and 10 Republicans in the House.

KSL@Night hosts Maura Carabello and Taylor Morgan ask: Does the Utah GOP discriminate against Republican women candidates?

Utah Republican Party is mostly women

Maura said for the inexperienced candidate, a political party can provide much help. Such help can include bulk mailing, which makes a campaign less expensive to operate. A party can supply mailing lists, historical data on voting, voters who like lawn signs, training for how to communicate with undecided voters, etc.

Some 56% of all active, registered Republicans in Utah are women, Taylor cited. But in 2022, only 10.6% of state legislators were Republican women (11/104). But Democratic women now make up 20% of state legislatures around the nation, according to Deseret News

“Yet, when we talk about the caucus-convention system that chooses candidates on behalf of other Republicans, only about 25% of those delegates are women,” Taylor said. “Well, if we look at our Utah state Legislature — oh, surprise — only 25% of Utah legislators are women.”

For convention winners only, GOP resources 

Taylor added that a new Utah Republican Party rule limits all party resources to only candidates who win at convention.

“You have to win 40% or more at the state-party or the county-party convention in which you’re a candidate in order to have access to the party’s bulk mail rate. That’s a huge deal. We’re talking thousand and tens of thousands of dollars” he said.

In addition to being denied the GOP’s bulk-mailing rate, Taylor said for GOP candidates who forgo the caucus-convention route to nomination are also denied the Republican Party’s list of voters or potential supporters.

“Republicans don’t want to participate in bipartisan debates [see hyperlink below]. They’re isolating themselves more and more it appears, which is so interesting to me for the supermajority [political party],” Maura said.

‘Women stay home and take care of the kids’

Taylor said he believes the bias against women in the Utah Republican Party stems from the caucus convention.

“To be able to participate in the caucus-convention process in the Utah Republican Party, you have to attend a caucus meeting in person,” he said. “. . . If you can’t be there in person, you cannot be a party precinct officer. You cannot be a delegate.  . . What I have seen in my experience. The attitude in the party has been: Men go to caucus while the women stay home and take care of the kids.”

“I feel like we have a tradition of strong female leaders,” Maura said.

“We do,” Taylor replied.

“I feel like when I was younger, I could have identified a handful of strong female leaders across the board. And while now I can certainly still point to a handful, it’s the same ones over and over,” Maura said.

“Every single Republican woman contending for a federal office right now is being limited and discriminated against by their own party,” Taylor said.

Related:

Sen. Lee will only participate in Utah GOP-run primary debates

Two people tried to double vote at Salt Lake GOP convention, charges could come

 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Politics + Government

Rep Phil Lyman shown, lyman dei comments came under scrutiny...

Emma Keddington

Rep. Phil Lyman defends post correlating DEI policies with Baltimore bridge collapse

Rep. Phil Lyman is defending a post made Tuesday, that said Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies had something to do with the Baltimore bridge collapse. 

12 hours ago

Former senator Joseph Lieberman...

Jake Tapper, CNN

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman dies at 82

Former Democratic vice presidential nominee and Sen. Joe Lieberman has died, according to a statement from his family.

1 day ago

rep phil lyman shown, he made comments about the bridge collapse in maryland...

Heather Peterson

LISTEN: Utah Rep. Phil Lyman blames Baltimore bridge collapse on DEI

Rep. Phil Lyman said the bridge collapse is because of "governors who prioritize diversity over the wellbeing and security of citizens."

2 days ago

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 4: A view of the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday morning January 4, 2024 in...

MARK SHERMAN

Supreme Court again confronts the issue of abortion, this time over access to widely used pill

Two years after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and cleared the way for bans or severe restrictions on abortion in many Republican-led states, abortion opponents on Tuesday will ask the high court to ratify a ruling from a conservative federal appeals court that would limit access to the medication mifepristone, which was used in nearly two-thirds of all abortions in the United States last year.

3 days ago

File - The Instagram logo is seen on a cell phone in Boston, USA, Oct. 14, 2022. Instagram has star...

Associated Press

New Instagram feature limits display of political content

Instagram has started an automatic clamp down on the amount of political content appearing in its users' feeds.

3 days ago

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene...

Manu Raju, Melanie Zanona, Annie Grayer and Kristin Wilson, CNN

Marjorie Taylor Greene files surprise motion to oust Speaker Johnson, a sign of growing revolt from the right

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia filed a motion, seeking to oust Speaker Mike Johnson from his position.

4 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Show hosts say Utah GOP discriminates against women candidates