CANDIDATE INFORMATION

1) What have you done to protect the caucus-convention system?

I have always believed in the caucus-convention system. I believe it is the best nominating process in the entire country and more states should follow our example. For the system to be its most effective, we need to continue to grow the party and encourage participation in all levels of the Party and educate on the platform which unifies us. Critics of the caucus point to low participation as a reason to not support the convention system; however, participation has decreased in recent years because the law has minimized the system through the proliferation of signature gathering. We need to continue our efforts to repeal SB54.

In addition to significant investments in caucus and unprecedented support for convention winners (see below answers), as Chair I helped institute a caucus pledge for candidates this year. When filing their candidacy, candidates could voluntarily choose to pledge the following pledge:

“I affirm my support for Utah’s Neighborhood Caucus System, a pivotal force in upholding the principles of republican government, freedom of political association, and the right to self-govern as enshrined in the United States Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Utah Constitution. This collaborative system, adopted by the Utah Republican Party, actively fosters democratic engagement, and increases government accountability by empowering unpaid volunteers–elected by their neighbors across Utah–to nominate candidates for public office. I pledge to strengthen and safeguard Utah’s Neighborhood Caucus System and oppose any legislation, resolution, initiative, or executive action that undermines its integrity or the critical freedom of parties to self-select their nominees. My commitment honors America’s founding principle of a government “of the People.”  Aligned with these values, I resolutely advocate for its ongoing implementation in our electoral process, ensuring it remains the bedrock of fair, active, and meaningful political engagement in Utah.”

We published a list of the candidates that voluntarily agreed to this pledge, allowing delegates and voters to determine who chose not to participate.

In addition, I am especially proud that we had so many new delegates this year that had never before been delegates. In some instances this number reached as high as 40 percent. This means our defense, investment and promotion of caucus worked and must continue to be emulated. As more people become active participants in the caucus process, the stronger it becomes.

Finally, my record and consistent position has stood the test of time. I have always been an advocate for the delegate process and have never watered down my support. I have always used my influence to promote our Party, our platform, and our delegate system.

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2)  In your view, how should the Republican Party have responded to SB54?

Without getting into too many legal specifics, I do not believe that our attorneys at the time presented the most compelling arguments when we began litigation. As we brought new counsel to our case through the appeals process, those attorneys were bound to defend the arguments that were initially presented at the lower court level. As such, we never brought forward our best defense and the case was bound to fail. Had I been chair, I would have centered our argument around a private organization's right to associate freely, which we did not do.

The fight against SB54 is still very much worth pursuing, both legislatively and through litigation. I believe I am the best candidate in this race to obtain a legislative solution. I have been able to build a collaborative relationship with our legislature while being firm in my positions. My approach has allowed for meaningful and difficult conversations. I have been able to change and stop destructive legislation while keeping the goal of Party empowerment in focus. I will continue to leverage my relationships, influence, and efforts to have our Party unencumbered by laws which take away from our delegate process and weaken the Republican brand.

I believe 2026 is the perfect year to reach a legislative solution. For the first time since the passage of SB54, there is no statewide primary in 2026. Without a marquee race and our current members of Congress likely to seek re-election, we can make systematic reforms to strengthen caucus-convention with minimal interference to our candidates during the next legislative session.

Should legislative attempts fail, I also believe I am the best candidate for this position because I have demonstrated an ability to fundraise. Should a litigation strategy be required, fundraising for the effort will be necessary to hire the best lawyers. And a winning strategy must be implemented.

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3)  What is your vision for increasing the Utah GOP's influence?

My vision is to create a statewide political organization — built around our party platform and bylaws — that is so strong candidates are afraid to bypass the party delegates and grassroots. The Utah Republican Party ought to be so strategic, united, and well-funded  that every Republican candidate seeks our backing. If we are able to accomplish this, candidates would stop gathering signatures altogether!

While fundraising is not the goal, it is the vehicle to reach our objectives and accomplish our mission. A chair cannot be effective without an ability to fundraise and a plan to elect republicans up and down the state.

As chair, I raised more than $2 million for state party related activity — a record setting amount – and almost another $750 thousand in support of President Trump, the RNC, and other efforts to win back our country. This allowed us to give money to convention winners, but also invest in additional resources and data. Three examples of this is 1) the caucus pre-registration system, which worked throughout most of the state in its first year of operation and prevented thousands of democrats from participating in our caucus; 2) purchasing additional emails for our candidate’s to communicate with their voters. Of almost a million GOP voters in our state, the Party had only 15,000 emails when I became Chair and are now soon to reach 200,000 email addresses; 3) advertising caucus night in an aggressive fashion. Historically, caucus night was promoted using yard signs. In addition to yard signs, we spent $50,000 in radio ads, digital ads, and billboards to increase caucus attendance. None of this would have been possible without a Chair with an ability and desire to prioritize fundraising.

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4)  How will you work to unify Republicans across the state while staying true to core party values?

The Utah Republican Party platform should guide all that we do as a party. I have a nearly 20 year track record of working within the Party in a manner consistent with the platform. This dates back to Senator Mike Lee’s first campaign, which was early in my career in Utah politics. I continued working for Senator Lee for 13 years, most recently serving for 7 years as his State Director. During this time I worked in a collaborative fashion with those that interfaced with our office, but I never once watered down my principles. Senator Lee has set an example to all Utah Republicans in how to represent the Platform without fear, and his commitment is one we should all strive to follow.  
 
5)  What do you think the party's role should be in supporting candidates who pursue the signature-gathering route?

As I recruited candidates to run for office during my time as Chair, I always encouraged them to participate in the caucus-convention system and to engage with the delegates seriously. When candidates considered gathering signatures, I strongly suggested against it, just as I have advised since the passage of SB54.

Although there have been 4 election cycles and chairs prior to my election, I was the first Chair to actively support the convention winners. Under my leadership, we provided unprecedented amounts of party resources to campaigns that delegates chose to support. This totaled more than $200,000 and included direct cash contribution to their campaigns. As a result, convention winners won a majority of primaries against signature gathering candidates. Where our convention winners came up short, the gaps have been closed and the consistent factor has been funding and incumbency of the prevailing candidates (a reality in American Politics in every state – and something the caucus system does better than anything else to level).

If re-elected, I will continue to use the Party to actively support convention winners and promote the work of our delegates as I have done. Candidates have now seen the magnifying effect the Party provides and will know that support in the process comes to those engaged with – and supported by – our delegates.