ELECTIONS, POLITICS, & GOVERNMENT
Lyman announces new running-mate choice
May 4, 2024, 1:12 PM | Updated: May 6, 2024, 4:18 pm
Governor candidate Phil Lyman makes a statement after leaving the court room with Layne Bangerter at the 3rd District Court in West Jordan, on Friday, May 3, 2024. The judged ruled Bangerter would not be on the ballot as Lyman’s running mate. (Marielle Scott, Deseret News)
(Marielle Scott, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — State Rep. Phil Lyman, who is a Utah gubernatorial candidate, has picked a new running mate. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Lyman announced that Natalie Clawson will join him on the campaign trail.
Lyman was the overwhelming gubernatorial favorite of Utah GOP delegates at their nominating convention April 27. He received 67.5%, while Utah Gov. Spencer Cox received 32.5% of the delegate vote.
Lyman and Cox will face off in a primary June 25.
RELEASE: Phil Lyman Announces Natalie Clawson as His Pick for Lieutenant Governor
May 4, 2024
SALT LAKE CITY – Today, Phil Lyman announced Natalie Clawson to be his selection for Lieutenant Governor. The selection was made following a decision today wherein a District Court… pic.twitter.com/sATkQ2h4NZ
— Phil Lyman for Governor (@phil_lyman) May 4, 2024
Lyman’s first running mate choice
Lyman was forced to choose another running mate after a judge in Utah’s 3rd District ruled against the candidacy of Layne Bangerter, Lyman’s first choice for lieutenant governor. The issue went to court after Lyman sued the office of Utah Lt. Gov. Diedre Henderson. In the suit, Lyman claimed Henderson’s office had engaged in election interference by disallowing Bangerter’s candidacy.
The question about Bangerter’s eligibility involved how long he will have lived in Utah, before the June 2024 primary election. The Utah Lieutenant Governor’s office argued that, by moving to Utah from Idaho in 2021, Bangerter did not meet the Utah Constitution’s requirement that a candidate for lieutenant governor must have lived in Utah for five years preceding the date of the election.
Lyman disagreed with the constitutional interpretation of the Utah Lt. Governor’s office and filed a lawsuit. On Friday, Utah 3rd District Court Judge Matthew Bates ruled in favor of the lieutenant governor’s office.
Who is Natalie Clawson?
According to a press release from Lyman, Clawson is a Utah native and lives in Highland, Utah, with her husband and children. She received a bachelor’s in political science and a Juris Doctorate degree from BYU. She has worked for BYU’s Center for International Law and Religion Studies.
And she has “been involved with politics in various capacities at the local grassroots level,” according to Lawson’s press release.
“I am thrilled to be joined by Natalie in this campaign,” Lyman said. “She brings an impressive skill set, connections, integrity, and experience to the office ….”
