Good morning political junkies!
I'm at Farmington H.S. for the Davis County GOP convention.
The house is PACKED today, and this could be fun #utpol #utgop
I'm at Farmington H.S. for the Davis County GOP convention.
The house is PACKED today, and this could be fun #utpol #utgop
Several lawmakers are facing a intra-party challengers today:
Sen. Jerry Stevenson has two challengers, David Adams and Betty Young. There's no Democrat in the race. Unless there's a primary, this contest will be decided today #utpol #utgop
Sen. Jerry Stevenson has two challengers, David Adams and Betty Young. There's no Democrat in the race. Unless there's a primary, this contest will be decided today #utpol #utgop
Rep. Karianne Lisonbee is facing Nathan Affleck and Kara Toone.
Again, there's no Democrat in the race, so there will either be a primary or the race is over today #utpol #utleg #utgop
Again, there's no Democrat in the race, so there will either be a primary or the race is over today #utpol #utleg #utgop
House Speaker Brad Wilson is being challenged by Jason Hackett.
Wilson gathered enough signatures to qualify for the primary, so he's not in danger of being eliminated, but he could avoid a primary contest with a win today #utpol #utgop #utleg
Wilson gathered enough signatures to qualify for the primary, so he's not in danger of being eliminated, but he could avoid a primary contest with a win today #utpol #utgop #utleg
Rep. Steve Handy's opponent today is Trevor Lee.
Neither took the signature route #utpol #utleg #utgop
Neither took the signature route #utpol #utleg #utgop
Rep. Ray Ward is running against Lyle Mason.
Ward gathered signatures, so there will be a primary at a minimum #utpol #utgop #utleg
Ward gathered signatures, so there will be a primary at a minimum #utpol #utgop #utleg
Rep. Melissa Garff Ballard's opponent is Ronald Mortensen.
Ballard also gathered signatures, so she's not in danger of being eliminated #utpol #utgop #utleg
Ballard also gathered signatures, so she's not in danger of being eliminated #utpol #utgop #utleg
There's a brewing controversy over the use of ranked choice voting at today's convention.
Some of the right-wing candidates don't like it, but it's specified in the party charter. Will be interesting to see if there's an attempt to change that from the floor #utpol #utgop
Some of the right-wing candidates don't like it, but it's specified in the party charter. Will be interesting to see if there's an attempt to change that from the floor #utpol #utgop
There are FIVE GOP county conventions today. Starting with Davis, there's Morgan, Weber, Cache and Box Elder throughout the day.
The Utah County Lincoln Day dinner is tonight today, too #utpol #utgop
The Utah County Lincoln Day dinner is tonight today, too #utpol #utgop
Utah Solicitor General Melissa Holyoak addressing the crowd now, running through efforts from the A.G.'s office to push back on "executive overreach" from the Biden administration #utpol #utgop
Utah GOP Chair Carson Jorgensen says, "All of you are here today because you have seen something wrong and you want change."
He gets choked up talking about the opportunities the state has provided him and his family #utpol #utgop
He gets choked up talking about the opportunities the state has provided him and his family #utpol #utgop
Now Davis GOP Chair Daniela Harding is explaining parliamentary procedure to the delegates in a video.
These sorts of events would be A LOT more fun if we could use Parliament Funkadelic procedure instead #utpol #utgop
These sorts of events would be A LOT more fun if we could use Parliament Funkadelic procedure instead #utpol #utgop
Harding introduces the timekeeper for today's event and stresses her hope to keep things moving.
"Friends, it is 80 degrees outside and my mantra is to be done by one," Harding says to big applause #utpol #utgop
"Friends, it is 80 degrees outside and my mantra is to be done by one," Harding says to big applause #utpol #utgop
It wouldn't be a Republican convention in Utah without a fight over the agenda!
Here we go:
There's a proposed platform change scheduled for later today, but there's an attempt to move it higher in the agenda #utpol #utgop
Here we go:
There's a proposed platform change scheduled for later today, but there's an attempt to move it higher in the agenda #utpol #utgop
Here's the platform change. The Family Values plank adds language to "welcome all family types to our party."
One speaker says it "flies in the face of what our party stands for" #utpol #utgop
One speaker says it "flies in the face of what our party stands for" #utpol #utgop
.@gopTODD opposes the motion. He says it would stymie the effort to adjourn by 1 pm, and they can come back next year to make the change.
Former Davis County GOP Chair Teena Horlacher says the amendment was not properly noticed and should be removed from the agenda #utpol #utgop
Former Davis County GOP Chair Teena Horlacher says the amendment was not properly noticed and should be removed from the agenda #utpol #utgop
Daniela Harding says since it was less than a 10-word amendment, it WAS properly noticed.
Horlacher says there's confusion among the delegates about the platform change, so it should be set aside for next year. That gets big applause #utpol #utgop
Horlacher says there's confusion among the delegates about the platform change, so it should be set aside for next year. That gets big applause #utpol #utgop
A fight over the rules or platform planks is the kind of thing that delegates live for. It's their Super Bowl.
If you ever wondered what happened to those kids in your high school who were REALLY into Student Council or Model U.S., they're all here today #utpol #utgop
If you ever wondered what happened to those kids in your high school who were REALLY into Student Council or Model U.S., they're all here today #utpol #utgop
After a bunch of parliamentary wrangling, the platform change is removed from the agenda.
It will have to wait until next year #utpol #utgop
It will have to wait until next year #utpol #utgop
Harding brings up the 2018 Utah State GOP Convention where it took several hours for delegates to adopt the agenda.
"We did it in 20 minutes," Harding says.
I think I still have PTSD from that 2018 convention #utpol #utgop
"We did it in 20 minutes," Harding says.
I think I still have PTSD from that 2018 convention #utpol #utgop
I remember Sen. Orrin Hatch's campaign fired off confetti cannons filled with small American flags right next to the media area.
I think I was finding those paper flags in my bag and equipment for several weeks #utpol #utgop
I think I was finding those paper flags in my bag and equipment for several weeks #utpol #utgop
After a lengthy explanation of how ranked choice voting works, Teena Horlacher asks "If I rank a candidate I'm opposed to, does that mean I'm voting for that candidate?"
The answer is yes. Delegates don't have to rank all candidates #utpol #utgop
The answer is yes. Delegates don't have to rank all candidates #utpol #utgop
Preliminary delegate count shows 760 out of 820 delegates have shown up.
The final count will come later today #utpol #utgop
The final count will come later today #utpol #utgop
Here come the candidate speeches!
First up is HD14 where Rep. Karianne Lisonbee has two GOP challengers, Nathan Affleck and Kara Toone.
There is no Democrat in the race, so this race will either be decided today or it goes into a primary #utpol #utgop
First up is HD14 where Rep. Karianne Lisonbee has two GOP challengers, Nathan Affleck and Kara Toone.
There is no Democrat in the race, so this race will either be decided today or it goes into a primary #utpol #utgop
Affleck is up first.
"Have you had enough? Have you suffered enough? How long to Republicans have to lose before we change?"
I have no idea what he's talking about. There's only one Democrat in the #utleg outside of Salt Lake County #utpol #utgop
"Have you had enough? Have you suffered enough? How long to Republicans have to lose before we change?"
I have no idea what he's talking about. There's only one Democrat in the #utleg outside of Salt Lake County #utpol #utgop
Affleck says the defeat of HB371, Phil Lyman's bill to get rid of mail in balloting, is why he ran.
He also says "We the People" at least 3 times during his speech #utpol #utgop
He also says "We the People" at least 3 times during his speech #utpol #utgop
Kara Toone is on stage now.
She says she earned a master's degree in public policy after 13 years of being a stay at home mom.
She says "patriotism" is "not what you profess to love, it's what you show up to do" #utpol #utgop
She says she earned a master's degree in public policy after 13 years of being a stay at home mom.
She says "patriotism" is "not what you profess to love, it's what you show up to do" #utpol #utgop
Pro-tip for this election season:
A candidate using the phrase "We the People" is a signal to the far-right "Patriot" wing of the party. They've adopted this as a mantra. You hear it all the time on Steve Bannon's podcast #utpol #utgop
A candidate using the phrase "We the People" is a signal to the far-right "Patriot" wing of the party. They've adopted this as a mantra. You hear it all the time on Steve Bannon's podcast #utpol #utgop
Karianne Lisonbee speaking now.
She highlights the relationships she has developed on the Hill.
She says she voted to increase public education funding by $2 billion over the past few years.
That last comment brings a few audible groans from the audience #utpol #utgop
She highlights the relationships she has developed on the Hill.
She says she voted to increase public education funding by $2 billion over the past few years.
That last comment brings a few audible groans from the audience #utpol #utgop
HD15 is up now. Jason Hackett is challenging House Speaker Brad Wilson.
Hackett is up now. He says members of the Legislature are not "appropriately alarmed" by the "experiments being conducted on our liberties" #utpol #utgop
Hackett is up now. He says members of the Legislature are not "appropriately alarmed" by the "experiments being conducted on our liberties" #utpol #utgop
Hackett says digital ID's will lead to control and forced participation in "highly experimental drug programs."
He also hits election security and warns about "international fascism" creeping into Utah #utpol #utgop
He also hits election security and warns about "international fascism" creeping into Utah #utpol #utgop
Big cheers as Hackett finishes his speech.
Wilson is up now. He gathered signatures, so he can't be eliminated today.
Wilson talks about a meeting with Dr. Angela Dunn where she "wanted to shut down our businesses, close our schools and all of us to stay home" #utpol #utgop
Wilson is up now. He gathered signatures, so he can't be eliminated today.
Wilson talks about a meeting with Dr. Angela Dunn where she "wanted to shut down our businesses, close our schools and all of us to stay home" #utpol #utgop
More Wilson, he says he was troubled by that overreach.
He says the Legislature changed executive powers instead of having an "unelected, unaccountable, health department official telling us what to do" #utpol #utgop
He says the Legislature changed executive powers instead of having an "unelected, unaccountable, health department official telling us what to do" #utpol #utgop
He pivots to education, saying he's working to stop troubling ideology from creeping into classrooms and brings up the transgender athlete issue.
"We are not done cutting your taxes," Wilson says in conclusion to big cheers #utpol #utgop
"We are not done cutting your taxes," Wilson says in conclusion to big cheers #utpol #utgop
Now up is HD16. Trevor Lee is challenging Steve Handy.
Lee talking about government infringing on liberties.
"We supposedly have a conservative governor? Why is it every time I turn on the news, it's Florida fighting against Joe? Why can't that be Utah?" #utpol #utgop
Lee talking about government infringing on liberties.
"We supposedly have a conservative governor? Why is it every time I turn on the news, it's Florida fighting against Joe? Why can't that be Utah?" #utpol #utgop
More Lee:
"I'm running because we don't have actual conservatives in office. We have RINO's (Republican in name only) all over the place."
He shifts to changing the state flag and the Dixie State University name change.
"There's nothing wrong," he says #utpol #utgop
"I'm running because we don't have actual conservatives in office. We have RINO's (Republican in name only) all over the place."
He shifts to changing the state flag and the Dixie State University name change.
"There's nothing wrong," he says #utpol #utgop
Lee's speech was A LOT of red meat and got big cheers.
Rep. Steve Handy is next.
He throws shade at his opponent, "I think Trevor has a big future, but the Legislature requires preparation" citing his experience #utpol #utgop
Rep. Steve Handy is next.
He throws shade at his opponent, "I think Trevor has a big future, but the Legislature requires preparation" citing his experience #utpol #utgop
Handy was one of the Republicans in the #utleg who flipped his vote on HB11 to override Gov. Cox's veto.
You have to wonder if Lee's focus on culture war issues was a factor #utpol #utgop
You have to wonder if Lee's focus on culture war issues was a factor #utpol #utgop
HD18 is up next. That's the open seat vacated by Rep. Tim Hawkes. There are 4 candidates.
Alena Ericksen is up first.
I wrote about her anti-government views and sovereign citizen ideology when she briefly ran for Congress last year #utpol #utgop
sltrib.com/news/politics/…
Alena Ericksen is up first.
I wrote about her anti-government views and sovereign citizen ideology when she briefly ran for Congress last year #utpol #utgop
sltrib.com/news/politics/…
Paul Cutler is next. He was Mayor of Centerville until 2018.
"I won't focus on money wasting message bills," he says.
Cutler rattles off his views as a "true fiscal conservative" #utpol #utgop
"I won't focus on money wasting message bills," he says.
Cutler rattles off his views as a "true fiscal conservative" #utpol #utgop
Cutler says he would advocate for local control and opposes "one size fits all mandates" on cities from the Legislature."
I had a legislative leader tell me once, "We believe in local control until the locals need controlling" #utpol #utgop
I had a legislative leader tell me once, "We believe in local control until the locals need controlling" #utpol #utgop
Emilie Daly is next, talking about her experience advocating at the Legislature.
She talks about how she recently grasped the "divinity" of government.
She's been involved in parents rights groups during the past few years #utpol #utgop
She talks about how she recently grasped the "divinity" of government.
She's been involved in parents rights groups during the past few years #utpol #utgop
David Stringfellow is your last candidate.
He's connecting government to a stage production of "Cinderella" he saw last night.
I kinda lost the thread of what he was saying. I'll have to go back to the tape #utpol #utgop
He's connecting government to a stage production of "Cinderella" he saw last night.
I kinda lost the thread of what he was saying. I'll have to go back to the tape #utpol #utgop
HD19 is up now. Rep. Ray Ward is being challenged by Lyle Mason.
Ward has gathered signatures, so he's safe today.
Mason says he chose not to gather signatures. "I rely on the judgement of the delegates," he says to big cheers #utpol #utgop
Ward has gathered signatures, so he's safe today.
Mason says he chose not to gather signatures. "I rely on the judgement of the delegates," he says to big cheers #utpol #utgop
Mason says he opposed transgender females competing against biological females. He's also against the introduction of CRT and the "sexualization of our schools."
He's not an antivaxxer, but he's against mask mandates in schools and opposes forced vaccination #utpol #utgop
He's not an antivaxxer, but he's against mask mandates in schools and opposes forced vaccination #utpol #utgop
I suspect it was a good move by Ward to get signatures, because I suspect he could be in trouble today.
He's seen as one of the more moderate members of the #utleg #utpol #utgop
He's seen as one of the more moderate members of the #utleg #utpol #utgop
HD20 is now.
Ronald Mortensen is challenging Rep. Melissa Garff Ballard.
Ballard submitted the required signatures, so she's not in danger of elimination today.
Mortensen asks delegates to vote for him so there can be a primary election #utpol #utgop
Ronald Mortensen is challenging Rep. Melissa Garff Ballard.
Ballard submitted the required signatures, so she's not in danger of elimination today.
Mortensen asks delegates to vote for him so there can be a primary election #utpol #utgop
The last contested #utleg race is SD6.
Sen. Jerry Stevenson is facing David Adams and Betty Young.
Nobody gathered signatures in this race #utpol #utgop
Sen. Jerry Stevenson is facing David Adams and Betty Young.
Nobody gathered signatures in this race #utpol #utgop
Adams is first. He's the nephew of Senate President Stuart Adams.
Adams asks the crowd for their "permission to enter their personal space."
Now he's trying to connect with our "inner child."
I have absolutely no idea what is happening #utpol #utgop
Adams asks the crowd for their "permission to enter their personal space."
Now he's trying to connect with our "inner child."
I have absolutely no idea what is happening #utpol #utgop
Adams' time is up and the crowd applauds to drown him out, he keeps talking about appealing to our collective tribe.
That was some weird sh*t #utpol #utgop
That was some weird sh*t #utpol #utgop
.@danielmwoodruff points out Adams was ejected from the Senate committee hearing on HB60 #utpol #utgop #utleg
https://twitter.com/danielmwoodruff/status/1498771564640145408
Gov. Spencer Cox just showed up to speak.
Some scattered boos as he took the stage.
He did not bring up the veto of HD11, which was probably a smart move #utpol #utgop
Some scattered boos as he took the stage.
He did not bring up the veto of HD11, which was probably a smart move #utpol #utgop
Cox starts off reminding delegates he signed the "constitutional carry" bill allowing for carrying of a concealed weapon without a permit.
"We see how important the 2nd Amendment is with what's going on in Ukraine," Cox says #utpol #utgop
"We see how important the 2nd Amendment is with what's going on in Ukraine," Cox says #utpol #utgop
I'm sitting directly behind @KPete801.
@mikemckellutah jokingly warns Peterson that I'm looking over her shoulder.
"Where else am I going to do it since you banned me from the Senate Floor?" I respond.
Yeah, I'm still pretty mad about that whole thing #utpol #utgop #utleg
@mikemckellutah jokingly warns Peterson that I'm looking over her shoulder.
"Where else am I going to do it since you banned me from the Senate Floor?" I respond.
Yeah, I'm still pretty mad about that whole thing #utpol #utgop #utleg
Time to vote.
Volunteers are sealing the ballot boxes on stage in front of delegates to ensure no shenanigans #utpol #utgop
Volunteers are sealing the ballot boxes on stage in front of delegates to ensure no shenanigans #utpol #utgop
In today's vote, a signature-gathering candidate must get 70% of the vote to avoid a primary. If a convention-only candidate gets more than 30% against a signature candidate, they advance to the primary #utpol #utgop
If there's no signature-gathering candidate in a race, it takes 60% to win the nomination outright #utpol #utgop
I just noticed Todd Weiler's iPhone is available for AirDrop.
Any suggestions on what I should send to him?
Any suggestions on what I should send to him?
Checking my email, and I see that @halloates have reissued Marigold Sky!
That album hasn't been available for years!
SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY
That album hasn't been available for years!
SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY
DCRP Chair Daniela Harding has now revised her pledge of "Done by one" to "Through by two."
I'm predicting we'll be "free by three" #utpol #utgop
I'm predicting we'll be "free by three" #utpol #utgop
I regret to inform myself that "through by two" is now out of reach (it's 2:30).
"Free by three" is starting to look a bit iffy, too.
How about "It's 4 and I hate everybody"?
"Free by three" is starting to look a bit iffy, too.
How about "It's 4 and I hate everybody"?
Someone just came to the edge of the stage and yelled "The results are in!"
But, she was talking to a smaller group who were electing replacement state delegates.
Ma'am...
#utpol #utgop
But, she was talking to a smaller group who were electing replacement state delegates.
Ma'am...
#utpol #utgop
Results incoming!
Harding says the long delay was due to a discrepancy between the number of ballots cast and the number of credentialed delegates - 775 instead of 780.
I'm sure this won't be endlessly flogged by the election security wing of the party #utpol #utgop
Harding says the long delay was due to a discrepancy between the number of ballots cast and the number of credentialed delegates - 775 instead of 780.
I'm sure this won't be endlessly flogged by the election security wing of the party #utpol #utgop
Somebody just made a motion to adjourn before the results are announced.
Luckily it was a joke because I was nearly in a murderous rage after sitting here all day.
We're told 5 minutes to results.
Stand by... #utpol #utgop
Luckily it was a joke because I was nearly in a murderous rage after sitting here all day.
We're told 5 minutes to results.
Stand by... #utpol #utgop
BREAKING!!!
Rep. Steve Handy loses and is out.
He was defeated by Trevor Lee, who is now unopposed in November #utpol #utgop #utleg
Rep. Steve Handy loses and is out.
He was defeated by Trevor Lee, who is now unopposed in November #utpol #utgop #utleg
Rep. Ray Ward was forced into a primary by Lyle Mason. Ward gathered signatures.
Rep. Malissa Garff Ballard has also been sent to a primary against Ronald Mortensen
#utpol #utgop #utleg
Rep. Malissa Garff Ballard has also been sent to a primary against Ronald Mortensen
#utpol #utgop #utleg
Sen. Jerry Stevenson is also heading to a primary election. He will face Betty Young #utpol #utgop #utleg
In HD18, Alena Ericksen and Paul Cutler tied and will head to a primary election #utpol #utgop #utleg
I’m heading home to finish writing my story, but I get to my car and find this.
It’s just what I’ve always wanted! #utpol #utgop
It’s just what I’ve always wanted! #utpol #utgop
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