Phil Lyman responds to questions on candidacy “We have not and will not withdraw”
Oct 26, 2024, 3:01 PM | Updated: 3:40 pm
FILE: Utah Rep. Phil Lyman speaks during Utah’s gubernatorial GOP primary debate held at the Eccles Broadcast Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. (Isaac Hale/Deseret News)
(Isaac Hale/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — After the withdrawal of Richard and Carol Lyman from the governor’s race, Phil Lyman has issued a press release to assure voters that he is still running.
Richard and Carol Lyman entered the gubernatorial race as write-in candidates shortly before the legal deadline. Several parties accused the Cox campaign of bribing them to join the race in an effort to confuse voters. The two have denied these claims in a statement after turning down an on-camera interview with the KSL Investigators.
Eventually, Phil Lyman sued the pair and they agreed to drop out of the race on October 25th.
BREAKING UPDATE: Carol and Richard Lyman confirm they are dropping out of the governor’s race but say unequivocally, “we did nothing wrong and broke no laws.”
They call @phil_lyman‘s lawsuit against them frivolous and say they are being forced out “by deeper packets.”
Also,… https://t.co/rkvOPDrlJJ pic.twitter.com/QQ5Mmi0c69
— Lindsay Aerts (@LindsayOnAir) October 25, 2024
The next day, Phil Lyman issued a press release stating that he is still running for governor. He claimed in the press release that “misleading media coverage” caused confusion among voters, many of whom thought Phil Lyman had dropped out of the race.
“We have been bombarded with texts, messages, and emails asking if we are withdrawing,” Phil Lyman said. “I want to be very clear — we — Phil Lyman and Natalie Clawson — have not, and will not, withdraw.”
Phil Lyman stated that news outlets caused this latest confusion by using photographs of him when reporting about Richard and Carol Lyman withdrawing.
“We are disappointed,” Phil Lyman said. “But not surprised, that the media would take advantage of an opportunity to cause further confusion surrounding the Lyman name drama.”
Phil Lyman emphasized his intent to continue as a candidate for governor.
“We have a governor’s race to win,” he said.
Phil Lyman encouraged voters to still use his full name on the ballot.
