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WOODS CROSS — The Republican candidates vying to be the party's nominee to replace resigning Rep. Chris Stewart in the U.S. House of Representatives bring a broad range of legislative experience to the table.
They presented sometimes stark differences during the first of two scheduled debates hosted by the Utah Republican Party on Tuesday evening.
Former state lawmakers like Greg Hughes and Becky Edwards touted their understanding of the legislative process, and Celeste Maloy and Scott Reber pointed to their experience as congressional staffers as evidence that they know how to operate the wheels of power in Washington, D.C.
Others, like Kathleen Anderson and accounting professor Henry Christian Eyring, argued that their outsider status makes them ideal candidates to shake up the status quo in Congress.
And although they didn't agree on all of the issues discussed, those in the debate each tried to make their case for the future of conservatism in Utah's 2nd Congressional District.
Family values
Eleven of the 13 Republican candidates participated in Tuesday's debate, which was open to party delegates and members of the public. Due to the number of candidates, the discussion was split into two hour-long debates, with six candidates taking the stage first, and the remaining five answering the same series of questions after.
Utah's cultural and family values came up frequently throughout the debate, and were a key part of several candidates' opening statements.
Anderson introduced herself as a mom, and though she has never held elected office, said: "If you want something done, ask a mom."
"I pledge to work for you like I would work for my family," she said.
Edwards, who served in the Utah House of Representatives for 10 years, said she raised her four children in the district.
"The Republican values that we share are things that bring us together tonight," she said. "You need people who are willing to look for common ground — not expect people to leave their principles behind but bring Utah principles to solutions."
"The most important thing to know about me is that I'm a father," said Eyring, who teaches accounting at Duke University. "I'm here to tell you that America is making it hard for families."
How would candidates have voted on the debt ceiling?
The debate's moderators, Utah GOP Chairman Robert Axson and ABC4 anchor Glen Mills, asked the candidates to say how they would have voted on a few key issues, including the recent agreement brokered by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and President Joe Biden to extend the debt ceiling through 2024 to avoid default.
Candidates were divided on the issue, with Leeds Mayor Bill Hoster, Republican Party of Utah's national committeeman Bruce R. Hough, Maloy and Edwards saying they would have supported the bill.
The remaining candidates, Utah GOP Vice Chairman Jordan Hess, entrepreneur R. Quin Denning, Scott Allen Hatfield, Anderson, Hughes, Eyring and Reber, said they would have opposed the bill.
Hough said he viewed the negotiation as a win, because McCarthy brought Biden to the table after the president said he wouldn't negotiate.
"Second, we were able to ... get agreement on specific issues that were important to moving the needle in the right direction for this country," he said. "So, to say, 'Hey, we shouldn't have voted for it because we didn't get all that we wanted' — I'm never going to promise you that because it doesn't work that way in Washington, D.C. It's incremental. It's an inch here, it's a game of inches."
Those opposed to the bill said it wasn't fiscally responsible, and spoke of the need to reduce government spending.
"Our country has gone way too far in terms of our debt and deficit spending," Reber said.
Trump versus DeSantis in 2024
With the field of Republican presidential candidates for 2024 already taking shape, the candidates were asked who they plan to support. Former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis were the most common answers, with entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy earning several mentions.
"I support Donald Trump for president and it's not even close," said Hughes, former Utah House speaker. "I make no apologies for this man. He came into office and he did things that we've only dreamt the Republican president would do."
"Don't think I don't get Trump fatigue ... but I like America a lot better when he was our president," Anderson said. "America was more stable. The world was more stable. The man they said who wasn't stable brought stability."
Anderson wasn't alone in expressing an interest in other candidates without saying she's anti-Trump.
"When we buy a horse on the ranch, we check their teeth first," Eyring said, adding that he's still undecided. "I think we need people in government who understand how business works because that's the real engine of the American economy."
Hatfield said he doesn't agree with "the way (Trump) holds himself, but America was prosperous underneath him."
Federal same-sex marriage act
Candidates were also asked how they would have voted on the Respect for Marriage Act, which requires that states recognize all marriages that were legal where they were performed. The law protects same-sex and interracial marriage, while providing some protections for the religious beliefs of private individuals and businesses.
Hoster said that he has a son who is gay and he "highly respects his relationship," but he would have voted against the bill because it's "something the government shouldn't be involved with."
"The way this bill was written was wrong. I think its intent was right, but there were gaps in there that should have been addressed," he said.
Denning and Hess were also opposed to the bill, based on what they said were insufficient religious protections.
"Same-sex marriage is a state issue; it's not in the Constitution," Denning said.
Hess added that the rights of religious individuals "go deeper than the level of the institution," and said the bill didn't do enough to protect individuals.
Maloy drew on her experience as Stewart's chief legal counsel and said that "as the only person who actually worked on that bill," she would have voted yes.
"My grandpa taught me that you should always ask what's the alternative," she said. "And in this case, the alternative was the Equality Act," which she said lacked any protections for religious freedom.
What's next?
The Republican Party will hold a second debate Thursday evening in St. George to focus on the southern half of the district. Party delegates will then meet in Delta on Saturday to cast votes for which candidate will receive backing from the party.
Stewart announced earlier this month he will resign Sept. 15, due to his wife's ongoing health issues.
Thirteen Republicans are running in the 2nd District race, although several have opted to collect signatures to appear in a Sept. 5 party primary and forgo the convention process. The general special election will be held Nov. 21.
