Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — It's been a turbulent year for the Utah Republican Party.
The party still faces ongoing scrutiny after a chaotic caucus night in March prompted complaints from many party members about access to voting for the GOP presidential nominee. The traditional post-primary period that normally sees candidates line up behind the winners did not materialize in Utah, with failed gubernatorial candidate Phil Lyman questioning the results and dominating headlines as he unsuccessfully tried to supplant Gov. Spencer Cox as the party's nominee.
All that has played out against the backdrop of yet another wrenching presidential campaign, which is being cast on both sides as an existential struggle for the future of the country. But Rob Axson, the chairman of the Utah Republican Party, is hopeful that the turmoil of the past several months has provided valuable experience for Republican candidates up and down the ballot.
"It certainly has been harder, but with that being said, you don't grow a muscle without stretching and engaging it and working it out, right?" he said. "I do think there have been some unforced errors that sometimes happen, but we're not going to be distracted by it. We're not going to take our eye off of what is important, and that is making sure that the people of Utah have a secure future for their kids and their grandkids. That is my sole focus."
Axson spoke with KSL.com on Thursday evening at a networking event in Salt Lake City for Republican legislative candidates, many of whom are trying to win tightly contested races in some of the few potential swing districts in Salt Lake County. Although the GOP's control of state government is not in doubt, the races could go a long way toward determining the margins in the state Legislature.
Several candidates vying for swing seats said the political atmosphere at the state and national level has created additional hurdles for winning over independent voters or Democrats. With so much attention being paid to former President Donald Trump at the top of the GOP ticket, some candidates have found it a challenge to separate themselves from perceptions of the Trump wing of the party in battleground districts.
Proposed constitutional Amendment D — which was since been voided by a state district court decision that was upheld by the Utah Supreme Court — has also been a thorny issue for many candidates. Even before legislative leaders released the text of a controversial ballot question that critics said was "misleading," candidates were swamped with messages from constituents, many of whom said they felt the proposal would limit citizens' power to reform their government.
One lawmaker said he was personally in favor of the amendment that would allow the Legislature to overturn or amend citizen-led ballot initiatives but voted against it last month after receiving about 50 comments against, and zero for, the resolution. A recent survey found over 70% of registered voters in Utah think politicians "ignore the will of the people," and multiple swing-district candidates have said it can be difficult to differentiate themselves in the eyes of voters from some of the controversial actions of the Legislature — even on issues they broke with the majority on.
It's not just Republican candidates who are attempting to distinguish themselves from the national narrative — Democrats such as Montana Sen. Jon Tester and Alaska Rep. Mary Sattler Peltota are breaking with party leadership in attempts to win in Republican-controlled areas.
Peltola has repeatedly opposed President Joe Biden's policies on immigration and energy, according to the Deseret News, and boasts an endorsement from the National Rifle Association. Tester, meanwhile, has not endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, and has promoted efforts to increase security at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Thursday's event was sponsored by the Utah Elephant Club, a fundraising affiliate of the state GOP, which club vice president Leslie Carpenter said is focused on bringing more average Utahns into the political sphere. For as much attention is paid to conflict or the extremes within the party, she said, there is a lot more going on behind the scenes.
"You can never keep everybody happy," Axson said, reflecting on what he sees as a party with a broad base of support and varying approaches to politics. "If your goal is to keep everybody happy, you actually miss the opportunities of collaboration."
Despite the intense focus on national politics, Axson believes split-ticket voters still exist, especially when it comes to races for local office or seats in the state Legislature. He thinks the trust that can be gained through retail politics in downballot races can still trump party affiliation.
"It's a very local conversation. I might not normally vote for a Democrat or a Republican, but I really trust this candidate," he said as an example. "That's what I'm excited about. Our Republican candidates, they're in their districts. ... We have been out constantly with folks, and they are earning the trust of their local constituents, and so I do think that you'll have a bunch of Democrats who come across the aisle and vote for some of our Republican candidates, and we welcome them doing that."
