This is an unusual election cycle. In November, Utahns will have three major candidates — including two Republicans — to choose from when they go to the polls. In addition to incumbent Spencer Cox and Democrat Brian King, my running mate Natalie Clawson and I have chosen the unusual route of running as write-in candidates. We believe Utahns deserve secure, transparent elections so that we can all rest assured that those in leadership positions in our state truly represent the will of the people.
To date, there has been no transparency or verification of the most important elements of the Republican primary election. When delegates voted at the April 2024 Republican nominating convention, I emerged as the clear winner with 67.5% of the delegate vote compared to Cox’s 32.5%. Cox failed to qualify for the primary ballot and was forced to rely on the signatures he had obtained using the nomination petition process outlined in Senate Bill 54 (SB54) to qualify for the ballot.
According to SB54, candidates can be placed on the primary ballot for governor outside of the caucus-convention system if they collect valid signatures from 28,000 registered voters from their party. However, in Washington County, GRAMA records requests showed that signatures in another race were withheld due to a criminal investigation. Because Cox used the same signature collection company as this candidate, my team and others requested access to the names on Cox’s petition to verify their legitimacy.
The lists we received had approximately 40% of the names redacted. The explanation stated that the redacted names were categorized as “private” or “withheld,” but by law, the “private” category should be released to candidates such as myself and “withheld” is at the discretion of the state. These heavily redacted lists prevent verification that Cox legitimately qualified for the ballot, and no further explanation has been provided as to why at least the “private” category has not been released when Natalie and I are both fully qualified, as candidates, to see it. Plainly, I do not believe Cox has the requisite number of valid signatures on file.
When the primary was held in June, Cox was declared the winner shortly after polls closed with many ballots still outstanding. Final results showed Cox with 54% of the vote compared to my 45%, however, as with the nomination petition, verification that the results are legitimate has been impossible because of continued obstruction.
Thanks to guidance pushed by Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson advising the county clerks not to release the information, I have also not been able to obtain elections returns such as cast vote records and related documents using the GRAMA process. None of this information contains any personally identifiable information, and these records were previously available to the public if requested. Of note, Henderson is running on the same ticket as Cox while overseeing elections in Utah, including her own. In the meantime, we have collected affidavits from Utah voters about the various anomalies they experienced or witnessed during the election.
This crisis of confidence was created by our current leadership, and we believe Utahns deserve better. I have openly stated that if Cox and Henderson release the documents that would allow verification of their spot on the ballot and the primary results as legitimate, Natalie and I will withdraw from the race. It would be easy for Cox to release these documents and put an end to these questions, but he chooses not to. As such, there is no other honorable option than to continue to stand up for truth and transparency.
For those concerned that our candidacy will help elect a Democratic governor, we encourage Utahns to focus on selecting the candidate that best represents your values. Democrat Brian King is currently polling around 20%, and would need to over-perform that figure by approximately 15% to be truly competitive.
My policy platform focuses on improving our economy so that it works for all Utah families, including making homes affordable again so that our kids can afford to live in Utah too. Lowering taxes is a must. We must also end our sanctuary state status for illegal immigration and put a stop to corrupt practices rampant at all levels, including pay-to-play schemes and sweetheart deals for favored players. When we return to our guiding principles of limited government, an unbridled economy, and transparency, we put Utah back on the path towards liberty and prosperity for all Utahns.