Breaking News:

ELECTIONS

2024 Utah GOP convention winners struggle in primary election

Jun 26, 2024, 6:47 PM | Updated: 8:23 pm

Voters fill out their ballots during primary election voting held at the Lehi Public Safety Buildin...

Voters fill out their ballots during primary election voting held at the Lehi Public Safety Building in Lehi on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Isaac Hale, Deseret News)

(Isaac Hale, Deseret News)

SALT LAKE CITY —  Many winners at this year’s Utah GOP convention have not seen their success roll over into the primary election.

According to state data as of early Wednesday, the convention winners for Utah governor, Phil Lyman; state auditor, Ricky Hatch; attorney general, Frank Mylar; and almost every major congressional seat, Trent Staggs, Paul Miller and Colby Jenkins, are not currently projected to win their primary race.

The only exception is current Utah state Senator Mike Kennedy, who’s projected to win the House seat in Utah’s 3rd Congressional District. That seat was left vacant by Congressman John Curtis, who is now running for Sen. Mitt Romney’s open Senate seat.

It is important to note Representatives Blake Moore, Celeste Maloy, Burgess Owens and others have won previous conventions.

Why is this happening?

“This has been the result for the past several election cycles,” said Jason Perry, director of the Hinkley Institute of Politics.

“And in fact, it’s rooted in the very reason, the ‘Count My Vote‘  initiative was started in 2014. Because the delegates tend to put forward candidates that are more conservative than those that tend to win in the Republican primaries.

“This election primary was a perfect example of that,” Perry said. “Only one candidate won a convention (and then a) major campaign position — one — and that is Sen. Mike Kennedy.  And it is just proving that point, that’s been historically the case … maybe even on more of a grander scale than we’ve ever seen in the past.”

Utah GOP Chair Robert Axson told KSL NewsRadio there are convention winners for other state and local positions that are seeing success.

“Well, I wouldn’t articulate it as ‘convention winners struggling’ because keep in mind, the whole process of a primary is to allow for a broad participation of Republican voters,” said Axson.

“I know the Celeste Maloy race is too close to call but she is currently in the lead. She’s a convention winner. You’ve got Mike Kennedy, his race was declared. He’s a convention winner.”

“Burgess Owens, he won by acclamation through the convention,” Axson said. “So, the convention still plays a very meaningful role and process in providing Utahns the opportunity to consider various candidates for the Republican party.”

Is the GOP convention effective?

Axson said the GOP convention system in Utah works well.

“I think you always need to be open to changes in any process in any rules and any system including in political dialogue and discourse. But folks are engaging in conclusions that the caucus convention system is somehow outdated or out of touch, and are unwilling to help improve it,” he said.

“I think that is not to our benefit as Utahns because that process works very well in many cases. Let’s look to figure out ways to improve it.”

However, Axson noted the need for more political engagement. 

Look at the numbers in the turnout yesterday (primary election day). We have nearly two million registered voters in the state of Utah and we are going to fall extremely short of that … I think it behooves all of us to figure out how to get more involvement in engagement and to provide meaningful, respectful and deep conversations on how best to represent the people of Utah”

An alternate path is still needed

Perry had a different view on the process. 

“There is an argument to made there that this [the caucus] increases participation. But for those in the legislature and otherwise that are wondering whether or not you still need to have an alternative path to the ballot, this primary proves Utahns would say, ‘yes,'” Perry said.

“The winner of this primary apart from these candidates was the signature gathering process. The more moderate candidates did outperform the more conservative candidates in these headliner races.”

Other solutions?

While Utah GOP Chair Robert Axson supports the convention nominating process, he’s open to new ideas. There’s one particular change that Axson said he supports “100% — new people running to become a delegate.

“I would encourage every interested Utahn to participate in the caucus of their choice, whether it’s with the Democrat party or the Republican party. Run to be a delegate, get involved in that system.”

And Perry said changing how the caucus convention system is accessed would be an improvement.

“Make it more convenient for people to come to those caucuses,” he told KSL NewsRadio. “Organize them in such a way that it’s an experience where, when you leave, you want to be more engaged.”

Related:

We want to hear from you.

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

Elections

(Ada County Clerks office) A county in Idaho is making all ballots public....

Alexandrea Bonilla

Idaho county publishing all of their 2024 ballots

A county in Idaho is making all ballots public. The clerk says it's an effort to be more transparent about the elections process.

3 months ago

The census-designated place, Eden in Weber County, will be turned into a new Utah city known as Ogd...

MIKE ANDERSON, KSL TV

Local input needed as Ogden Valley on path to become Utah’s newest city

People in the Ogden Valley have a little over a year to draw districts and elect a mayor and city council before the area becomes a new city.

3 months ago

The Utah County Clerk is defending his decision to disclose the voting method of several lawmakers....

Alexandrea Bonilla

Utah County Clerk defends decision to disclose voting method used by several lawmakers

The Utah County Clerk is defending how he decided to look at the voting method several lawmakers used to vote.

3 months ago

An election worker delivers ballots to the ballot processing room at the Maricopa County Tabulation...

Eric Cabrera

Utah ballot bill addressing postmark deadlines fails to advance

The ballot bill would have prevented counting mail-in ballots that arrive after polls close on Election Day.

3 months ago

vote tracking proposed law...

Don Brinkerhoff

Proposed bill would prevent people from tracking the method voters use to vote

A proposed Utah bill would prevent people from looking into what method someone used to cast their ballot when putting in their vote.

3 months ago

Annabelle Johnson votes at the Salt Lake County Government Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Nov...

Brigham Tomco, Deseret News

The future of Utah elections

Utah lawmakers are planning significant electoral reforms in the upcoming legislative session after the 2024 election cycle.

3 months ago

Sponsored Articles

Filing taxes online using a computer...

The Law Offices of Jordan F. Wilcox

Tax time is approaching. What to do if you have debilitating IRS debt

Is the IRS threatening you with wage garnishment, asset seizure or business closure? Here are some ideas to resolve your tax dilemma.

Full speed through the snow. A man on skis is pulled by his through the snow at full gallop Skijori...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for an unforgettable skijoring adventure in Bear Lake!

“Skijoring the Bear” takes place this year on February 21-22 in Garden City, Utah.

the bedroom in a geodesic dome shows the night sky...

Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon

Your front row to an extraordinary cosmos show

As America's first glass dome stargazing resort, Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon is one of the world’s most unique and spectacular places to stay.

2 people huddled up in a blanket and warm clothes sipping hot chocolate...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

The best ways to spend your Christmas vacation in Bear Lake

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas this year, Bear Lake should definitely be on your radar. Read this guide for more!

big crowd of people under holiday lights in an outdoor market...

Western Nut

Our favorite family Christmas activities in Utah

We gathered up a list of our favorite activities, movies, and treats to try this holiday season that the whole family can enjoy.

an IT tech looks at a laptop in front of a server network...

Comcast Business

Tips to protect yourself from phishing attacks

Check out this resource from Comcast Business to learn more about phishing attacks and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of one.

2024 Utah GOP convention winners struggle in primary election