'Civil war' in GOP nomination process takes step toward truce


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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah GOP leaders will have a chance Saturday to take a step toward a truce in what Gov. Gary Herbert has called a civil war within the party over complying with a state-mandated candidate nomination process.

Members of the Utah Republican Party State Central Committee are holding a special meeting at Taylorsville City Hall to consider an agenda that includes a resolution stating the GOP intends to participate in the 2016 election as a qualified political party.

That would put the party on track to comply with SB54, the controversial compromise lawmakers made in 2014 with backers of the Count My Vote initiative that sought to nominate candidates through a direct primary.

The Utah Republican Party has sued the state over the law, but recently lost a bid for a preliminary injunction. That's increased the pressure on the GOP to act in order to ensure there are Republicans on the 2016 ballot.

"We're expecting a record turnout because the decisions we make (Saturday) are going to affect the future of our party. The members recognize the gravity of this meeting," Utah GOP Chairman James Evans said.

By Friday, Evans said two-thirds of the more than 180 GOP leaders from around the state that make up the party's governing committee had indicated they plan to be at the meeting.

Evans said the committee needs to make a decision Saturday about the party's status for the 2016 election, so there's time to deal with details before it goes before the GOP's annual convention Aug. 15.


We're expecting a record turnout because the decisions we make (Saturday) are going to affect the future of our party. The members recognize the gravity of this meeting.

–Utah GOP Chairman James Evans


Until the party finalizes its status under the new law, there is a risk that candidates won't be able to run as Republicans on the 2016 ballot. The deadline for political parties to declare their status to the state elections office is Sept. 30.

As a qualified political party, the GOP would still be able to advance Republicans to the primary ballot through the state's unique caucus and convention system that gives delegates the power to pick candidates.

Republican candidates could, however, avoid participating in the current caucus and convention system and instead qualify for a place on the primary ballot by gathering voter signatures.

A party survey found that most Republicans want to become a qualified political party, even though they also oppose the SB54 requirement that qualified political parties open their now-closed primary elections to unaffiliated voters.

That and other issues, including what requirements candidates who want to run as Republicans would have to meet, are also expected to be discussed Saturday. The committee is scheduled to hold a closed session to talk about the lawsuit.

The governor's talk of a battle among Republicans came after party leaders suggested requiring candidates to submit to an interview and pay a fee that could total $10,000 before being allowed to run.

Some have even proposed kicking candidates out of the party who bypass the caucus and convention system. Those ideas were all rejected by Republicans in the party survey.

Herbert, who is running for re-election in 2016, said the "civil war that's going on in the Republican Party is probably not healthy for the party" and expressed concern as a member of the GOP about the discord.

Evans said that hasn't been his experience.

"That appears to be more of a dramatic description," the party chairman said. "I describe it more as vigorous debate."

The co-sponsor of the resolution calling for the GOP to become a qualified political party, Heather Williamson, said she believes the committee is ready to take action to protect the party.

"I think everyone is pretty much on the same page," the Utah County Republican from Saratoga Springs said. "We're facing a difficult future. We've got to think about what's best for everybody, Republican voters and candidates."

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UtahPolitics
Lisa Riley Roche

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