Races and candidates
Election 2018 is officially underway in Box Elder County, with multiple candidates filing for federal, state and county offices before the March 15 deadline.
Several local incumbent Republicans are facing challengers from within their own party, as well as opponents from the Democratic and Constitution parties, while other incumbents are running unopposed. This year there are also two open seats for the Utah Senate and Utah House, with many well-known names vying for those positions.
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U.S. Senate (Orrin Hatch, retiring)
Stoney Fonua R Jeremy Lewis Friedbaum R Alicia Colvin R Loy Brunson R Joshua C. Lee R Larry Meyers R Mitt Romney R Mike Kennedy R Samuel B. Parker R Abe Lincoln Brian Jenkins R Torrey Jenkins R Tim Jimenez R Larry Livingston D Mitchell Vice D Jenny Wilson D Jeff Dransfield D Tim Aalders C Craig R. Bowden L Reed C. McCandless IA U.S. House District 1 (Rob Bishop, incumbent) Chadwick H. Fairbanks III R Rob Bishop R Kevin Probasco R Kurt Weiland D Lee Castillo D Adam Davis G Eric Eliason UU |
State Senate District 17 (Peter Knudsen, retiring)
Chad Soffe R Scott Sandall R Clark N. Davis R Michael A Keil D State House District 1 (Scott Sandall) Joel Ferry R Kris Udy R Joshua Hardy D Sherry Phipps C State House District 29 (Lee Perry, incumbent) Lee B. Perry R Kerry M Wayne D Box Elder County Commission Seat A Jeff Hadfield R Charles M. Young R Box Elder County Commission Seat B Jeffrey D. Scott R Jon E. Adams R Seth Durfee D Box Elder School Board Scott W. Butler Dist. 7 Karen Cronin Dist. 7 |
Clerk says her office ready for primary, election integrity is secure
May 16, 2018 • Nelson Phillips • Staff Writer
This year’s June 26 primary election will be the first time an election is mostly conducted through voting by mail in Box Elder County, and County Clerk Marla Young says her office is ready.
The county recently obtained several machines that both count and flag the mailed ballots, as well as those that allow voting in-person at two polling locations in Tremonton and Brigham City, including machines that help those with visual impairments to cast ballots.
New in-person voting machines will be positioned at Utah State University Brigham City and the Tremonton Senior Center on election day, for those who don’t want to vote by mail. The machines will allow citizens to cast votes on a touch screen, have the completed ballot printed out, and will scan the completed ballot as it’s placed into a secure ballot box. Those ballots are then transported to the clerk’s office where they’ll be scanned just like a mailed ballot.
“By the way, none of our machines are ever connected to the internet,” said Young, speaking to the security of the system. “If we want early results, we need to put it on a thumb drive and physically take it to another computer.” The thumb drives are encrypted, and a security key is needed to download the vote data.
Secure drop-boxes will also be setup for ballot collection at the Willard, Perry, Honeyville, Tremonton and Garland city offices, as well as the clerk’s office.
“I’m very confident in the integrity of the vote-by-mail system that we’ve set up,” said Young. “We take every measure to ensure that it’s safeguarded.”
Tabulated batches are also randomly audited by the Utah Lieutenant Governor’s office, which is responsible for election oversight.
Early in-person voting for the upcoming primary can be done from June 19 through June 22 at the county clerk’s office. According to each state party’s rules, only registered Republicans can vote in a Republican primary, but Democratic primaries are open to any registered voter. If someone is unaffiliated with a party, they can affiliate and vote at the polling locations.
If a voter wants to change affiliations, it must be done 30 days prior to any election. For the June 26 primary, affiliations must be changed by May 27.
Registered voters should begin receiving their ballots in the mail on about June 6. Young said if people don’t receive their ballot, please call the County Clerk’s office at (435) 734-3393, or drop in and speak with an employee.
More information on elections can be found at the County Clerk’s elections website, www.boxeldercounty.org/elections.htm.
May 16, 2018 • Nelson Phillips • Staff Writer
This year’s June 26 primary election will be the first time an election is mostly conducted through voting by mail in Box Elder County, and County Clerk Marla Young says her office is ready.
The county recently obtained several machines that both count and flag the mailed ballots, as well as those that allow voting in-person at two polling locations in Tremonton and Brigham City, including machines that help those with visual impairments to cast ballots.
New in-person voting machines will be positioned at Utah State University Brigham City and the Tremonton Senior Center on election day, for those who don’t want to vote by mail. The machines will allow citizens to cast votes on a touch screen, have the completed ballot printed out, and will scan the completed ballot as it’s placed into a secure ballot box. Those ballots are then transported to the clerk’s office where they’ll be scanned just like a mailed ballot.
“By the way, none of our machines are ever connected to the internet,” said Young, speaking to the security of the system. “If we want early results, we need to put it on a thumb drive and physically take it to another computer.” The thumb drives are encrypted, and a security key is needed to download the vote data.
Secure drop-boxes will also be setup for ballot collection at the Willard, Perry, Honeyville, Tremonton and Garland city offices, as well as the clerk’s office.
“I’m very confident in the integrity of the vote-by-mail system that we’ve set up,” said Young. “We take every measure to ensure that it’s safeguarded.”
Tabulated batches are also randomly audited by the Utah Lieutenant Governor’s office, which is responsible for election oversight.
Early in-person voting for the upcoming primary can be done from June 19 through June 22 at the county clerk’s office. According to each state party’s rules, only registered Republicans can vote in a Republican primary, but Democratic primaries are open to any registered voter. If someone is unaffiliated with a party, they can affiliate and vote at the polling locations.
If a voter wants to change affiliations, it must be done 30 days prior to any election. For the June 26 primary, affiliations must be changed by May 27.
Registered voters should begin receiving their ballots in the mail on about June 6. Young said if people don’t receive their ballot, please call the County Clerk’s office at (435) 734-3393, or drop in and speak with an employee.
More information on elections can be found at the County Clerk’s elections website, www.boxeldercounty.org/elections.htm.
Romney primary opponent courts Box Elder voters
May 16, 2018 • Nelson Phillips • Staff Writer
Mike Kennedy, the Utah County state representative who bested Mitt Romney at the state Republican convention last month, appeared at a campaign event in front of Box Elder County voters on Thursday night.
Kennedy, who is a practicing medical family doctor and also holds a law degree from Brigham Young University, spoke to approximately 40 interested people assembled at the Brigham City Senior Center, telling them he’s the candidate that can best represent Utahns in the United States Senate.
Referencing the story of David and Goliath, Kennedy cast himself as David, the Hebrew shepherd boy from the Bible who went up against the giant Goliath and won, toppling him with a stone from a sling. To drive the point home, Kennedy campaign workers passed out ‘stones’ with Kennedy’s campaign emblem printed on them.
“When David took on the fearsome Goliath, he wasn’t fighting for himself, he was fighting for the liberty of his people,” said Kennedy. “I love that, I think that this is what it’s all about.”
Kennedy took over John Dougall’s District 27 seat in the Utah House in 2013, and highlighted his experience as that of a local public servant with deep roots in Utah.
“I’ve been serving in the state House of Representatives, and it has been a privilege for me to work together with my colleague legislators to try and move Utah issues forward, making sure we address the issues that we confront in this state,” he said.
He continued that as a doctor he was a trained listener, and that as an attorney he was a trained advocate, and would use his experience in those fields plus his legislative experience to help solve Utah issues in Washington, D.C.
“I believe one of the biggest issues we confront in our society is our deficit,” said the candidate. “People have asked me on the campaign trail what I focus on. I focus on three primary things – deficit reduction, deficit reduction, and deficit reduction.” He added that the deficit was America’s “greatest national security threat,” saying that if the country didn’t have money it couldn’t address other threats. He also highlighted securing the border from terrorists and illegal immigrants, restoring Washington D.C. back to principles of limited government, and protecting the rights of the unborn as other priorities.
Kennedy’s prepared remarks were brief, instead devoting the largest share of his time to answering questions from those assembled.
“What grade would you give President Trump?” asked a woman.
“I’d give him an A,” said Kennedy. “His approach has been historical. I’m amazed that in a little over a year we’re seeing things like those two presidents [in Korea] shaking hands and working together. Whatever the media might continue to say about our president, something really positive is happening there.” Kennedy did express some disagreement, wishing that Trump would “tweet a little less.”
When asked about his support for CIA Director nominee Gina Haspel, who oversaw terrorist detainee interrogations that included waterboarding, Kennedy said he didn’t know all the facts, and that he had to defer to the president, who needed qualified people in key positions.
“As to her circumstances, I’m not going to render judgement,” he said. “I would say we need to move forward on those things in a timely fashion, and I want good information before I make my decisions.”
When asked about the “deep state,” meaning unaccountable career bureaucrats exercising the levers of power, Kennedy stated that the country had drifted far from enumerated powers designated in the constitution, and that legislators were to blame for ceding their oversight and authority to agencies and bureaus.
“When it comes to legislation, you can do something called rulemaking. You can give a general framework and then say ‘I’ll let the rulemaking process move forward and these people can make the rules.’ That’s not something that I would do. If it takes me longer to write the bill the way it should be, and it’s still under legislative purview, that’s something we should be doing.”
In response to other questions, Kennedy stated he supports building a wall between the United States and Mexico, supports limiting federal control over state lands to unlock energy and other economic development, would vote to completely repeal Obamacare, and is a “strong supporter” of the second amendment.
After being asked if he would be closer philosophically to retiring Senator Orrin Hatch or Senator Mike Lee, Kennedy didn’t hesitate.
“Mike Lee,” he answered.
A question that no one asked during the meeting was posed by the News Journal in a private conversation after the event: “What is the difference between you and Mitt Romney?”
“Policy-wise, I think the key difference in this race is between a ‘Massachusetts Republican’ and ‘Utah Republican,’” said Kennedy. “He’s done many things in Massachusetts that probably are different than what we would do here. Romneycare would be the most obvious example.” Calling Romney’s healthcare plan the “blueprint for Obamacare,” Kennedy said it wasn’t what the people of Utah support. “It’s a representation of one of the things that distinguishes us.”
When asked about Romney’s claim that he could be the more effective senator because he already has relationships with other politicians, Kennedy didn’t agree.
“The more people you know in Washington, the more people you owe in Washington,” he said. “The reality is those relationships go both ways. I don’t know anybody in Washington, and I don’t owe them anything. I’ll go there to represent the people of Utah.”
The Republican primary election is scheduled for June 26. The winner between Kennedy and Romney will go on to face Democratic nominee Jenny Wilson in the November election.
May 16, 2018 • Nelson Phillips • Staff Writer
Mike Kennedy, the Utah County state representative who bested Mitt Romney at the state Republican convention last month, appeared at a campaign event in front of Box Elder County voters on Thursday night.
Kennedy, who is a practicing medical family doctor and also holds a law degree from Brigham Young University, spoke to approximately 40 interested people assembled at the Brigham City Senior Center, telling them he’s the candidate that can best represent Utahns in the United States Senate.
Referencing the story of David and Goliath, Kennedy cast himself as David, the Hebrew shepherd boy from the Bible who went up against the giant Goliath and won, toppling him with a stone from a sling. To drive the point home, Kennedy campaign workers passed out ‘stones’ with Kennedy’s campaign emblem printed on them.
“When David took on the fearsome Goliath, he wasn’t fighting for himself, he was fighting for the liberty of his people,” said Kennedy. “I love that, I think that this is what it’s all about.”
Kennedy took over John Dougall’s District 27 seat in the Utah House in 2013, and highlighted his experience as that of a local public servant with deep roots in Utah.
“I’ve been serving in the state House of Representatives, and it has been a privilege for me to work together with my colleague legislators to try and move Utah issues forward, making sure we address the issues that we confront in this state,” he said.
He continued that as a doctor he was a trained listener, and that as an attorney he was a trained advocate, and would use his experience in those fields plus his legislative experience to help solve Utah issues in Washington, D.C.
“I believe one of the biggest issues we confront in our society is our deficit,” said the candidate. “People have asked me on the campaign trail what I focus on. I focus on three primary things – deficit reduction, deficit reduction, and deficit reduction.” He added that the deficit was America’s “greatest national security threat,” saying that if the country didn’t have money it couldn’t address other threats. He also highlighted securing the border from terrorists and illegal immigrants, restoring Washington D.C. back to principles of limited government, and protecting the rights of the unborn as other priorities.
Kennedy’s prepared remarks were brief, instead devoting the largest share of his time to answering questions from those assembled.
“What grade would you give President Trump?” asked a woman.
“I’d give him an A,” said Kennedy. “His approach has been historical. I’m amazed that in a little over a year we’re seeing things like those two presidents [in Korea] shaking hands and working together. Whatever the media might continue to say about our president, something really positive is happening there.” Kennedy did express some disagreement, wishing that Trump would “tweet a little less.”
When asked about his support for CIA Director nominee Gina Haspel, who oversaw terrorist detainee interrogations that included waterboarding, Kennedy said he didn’t know all the facts, and that he had to defer to the president, who needed qualified people in key positions.
“As to her circumstances, I’m not going to render judgement,” he said. “I would say we need to move forward on those things in a timely fashion, and I want good information before I make my decisions.”
When asked about the “deep state,” meaning unaccountable career bureaucrats exercising the levers of power, Kennedy stated that the country had drifted far from enumerated powers designated in the constitution, and that legislators were to blame for ceding their oversight and authority to agencies and bureaus.
“When it comes to legislation, you can do something called rulemaking. You can give a general framework and then say ‘I’ll let the rulemaking process move forward and these people can make the rules.’ That’s not something that I would do. If it takes me longer to write the bill the way it should be, and it’s still under legislative purview, that’s something we should be doing.”
In response to other questions, Kennedy stated he supports building a wall between the United States and Mexico, supports limiting federal control over state lands to unlock energy and other economic development, would vote to completely repeal Obamacare, and is a “strong supporter” of the second amendment.
After being asked if he would be closer philosophically to retiring Senator Orrin Hatch or Senator Mike Lee, Kennedy didn’t hesitate.
“Mike Lee,” he answered.
A question that no one asked during the meeting was posed by the News Journal in a private conversation after the event: “What is the difference between you and Mitt Romney?”
“Policy-wise, I think the key difference in this race is between a ‘Massachusetts Republican’ and ‘Utah Republican,’” said Kennedy. “He’s done many things in Massachusetts that probably are different than what we would do here. Romneycare would be the most obvious example.” Calling Romney’s healthcare plan the “blueprint for Obamacare,” Kennedy said it wasn’t what the people of Utah support. “It’s a representation of one of the things that distinguishes us.”
When asked about Romney’s claim that he could be the more effective senator because he already has relationships with other politicians, Kennedy didn’t agree.
“The more people you know in Washington, the more people you owe in Washington,” he said. “The reality is those relationships go both ways. I don’t know anybody in Washington, and I don’t owe them anything. I’ll go there to represent the people of Utah.”
The Republican primary election is scheduled for June 26. The winner between Kennedy and Romney will go on to face Democratic nominee Jenny Wilson in the November election.
Election picture clears following conventions
May 2, 2018 • Nelson Phillips • Staff Writer
Republicans and Democrats held their respective state conventions in April, whittling down the field of candidates and putting some through to the November election while sending others to a June 26 primary.
Utah House District 1
The race for Utah House District 1 saw former Box Elder County GOP Chairman Joel Ferry claim the nomination with a 63 percent to 37 percent victory over challenger Kris Udy at the April 21 Republican convention. Ferry now moves on the general election in November, where he will face Democrat Joshua Hardy and Constitution Party candidate Sherry Phipps. Neither Hardy nor Phipps faced any challengers from within their own parties.
“I am honored and excited to have earned the Republican nomination for State House District 1 today at State Convention,” said Ferry in a released statement. “I look forward to meeting more district members, the election in November and serving you at the Capitol.”
Utah Senate District 17
The race for Utah Senate District 17 remains tight between the two GOP candidates, with former Brigham City mayor, Clark Davis, heading into a primary with current District 1 Representative Scott Sandall.
Davis won 54 percent of the vote to Sandall’s 46 percent at the convention, with neither candidate surpassing the 60 percent threshold necessary to win the nomination.
“We were thrilled to receive 80 of the 147 votes cast by state delegates,” said Davis. “We hope to continue this momentum into the primary to be held June 26.”
“I very much appreciate the opportunity the caucus-convention process gives me as a candidate,”said Sandall. “Allowing me to visit so many great delegates, one-on-one, makes me a better public servant as I hear their needs and concerns. I look forward to this primary election season where I can continue to meet with the residents of state senate district 17.”
The winner of the June 26 primary will face Democrat Michael Keil in November’s general election. Keil ran unopposed for his party’s nomination.
U.S. House of Representatives, District 1
Eight-term Congressman Rob Bishop avoided a Republican primary, winning 68.05 percent of the delegate vote over challenger Chadwick Fairbanks. Bishop will now advance to the general election against the winner of a Democratic Party primary on June 26 between Lee Castillo of Layton or Kurt Weiland of Bountiful.
Castillo and Weiland are involved in a close race, with Castillo taking 53 percent of the delegate vote versus 47 percent for Weiland at the April 28 state Democratic convention.
Weiland contacted the News Journal on Monday to announce that he is in talks with the Castillo campaign to organize a series of debates prior to the June 26 primary.
“We’re going to try to do it across the northern tier, with Brigham City or Tremonton, and then Layton, Ogden, Logan and Park City,” said Weiland. No official dates or locations have yet been announced.
U.S. Senate
U.S. Senate candidate Mitt Romney will be going to a June 26 primary against opponent Mike Kennedy. Kennedy defeated Romney, 51 percent to 49 percent, at the state Republican convention, but short of the needed 60 percent to avoid a primary. Romney and Kennedy emerged from a crowded field of 12 candidates at the convention.
Romney stated that he felt his choice to gather signatures through “County My Vote” provisions may have played a part in not clinching the nomination outright.
“I can’t possibly imagine that I’m speaking for the minds of the delegates, but I know that there were many people that were not enthusiastic about someone who gathered signatures,” Romney said to state media outlets following the second-place showing. “Frankly, given the fact that I collected signatures, and the delegates don’t like people who collect signatures, I’m delighted with the outcome.”
Kennedy, both a doctor and a lawyer, is a three-term representative to the Utah House from Alpine.
“Thank you so much to all of the delegates for your votes today,” said Kennedy in a statement. “I look forward to winning the support from voters across the state in the primary on June 26. Now let’s go clean up Washington!”
On the Democratic side, Salt Lake County Councilmember Jenny Wilson easily secured her party’s nomination at Saturday’s convention.
Wilson, the daughter of of former Salt Lake City mayor, Ted Wilson, took 81 percent of the vote, knocking out opponents Larry Livingston, Mitchell Vice and Jeff Dransfield.
Wilson is already campaigning against Romney, telling delegates at Saturday’s convention that if Romney needed driving directions to Tabiona, Escalante, Ephraim or Brigham City, she’d be willing to help “because I’m actually from this state.”
May 2, 2018 • Nelson Phillips • Staff Writer
Republicans and Democrats held their respective state conventions in April, whittling down the field of candidates and putting some through to the November election while sending others to a June 26 primary.
Utah House District 1
The race for Utah House District 1 saw former Box Elder County GOP Chairman Joel Ferry claim the nomination with a 63 percent to 37 percent victory over challenger Kris Udy at the April 21 Republican convention. Ferry now moves on the general election in November, where he will face Democrat Joshua Hardy and Constitution Party candidate Sherry Phipps. Neither Hardy nor Phipps faced any challengers from within their own parties.
“I am honored and excited to have earned the Republican nomination for State House District 1 today at State Convention,” said Ferry in a released statement. “I look forward to meeting more district members, the election in November and serving you at the Capitol.”
Utah Senate District 17
The race for Utah Senate District 17 remains tight between the two GOP candidates, with former Brigham City mayor, Clark Davis, heading into a primary with current District 1 Representative Scott Sandall.
Davis won 54 percent of the vote to Sandall’s 46 percent at the convention, with neither candidate surpassing the 60 percent threshold necessary to win the nomination.
“We were thrilled to receive 80 of the 147 votes cast by state delegates,” said Davis. “We hope to continue this momentum into the primary to be held June 26.”
“I very much appreciate the opportunity the caucus-convention process gives me as a candidate,”said Sandall. “Allowing me to visit so many great delegates, one-on-one, makes me a better public servant as I hear their needs and concerns. I look forward to this primary election season where I can continue to meet with the residents of state senate district 17.”
The winner of the June 26 primary will face Democrat Michael Keil in November’s general election. Keil ran unopposed for his party’s nomination.
U.S. House of Representatives, District 1
Eight-term Congressman Rob Bishop avoided a Republican primary, winning 68.05 percent of the delegate vote over challenger Chadwick Fairbanks. Bishop will now advance to the general election against the winner of a Democratic Party primary on June 26 between Lee Castillo of Layton or Kurt Weiland of Bountiful.
Castillo and Weiland are involved in a close race, with Castillo taking 53 percent of the delegate vote versus 47 percent for Weiland at the April 28 state Democratic convention.
Weiland contacted the News Journal on Monday to announce that he is in talks with the Castillo campaign to organize a series of debates prior to the June 26 primary.
“We’re going to try to do it across the northern tier, with Brigham City or Tremonton, and then Layton, Ogden, Logan and Park City,” said Weiland. No official dates or locations have yet been announced.
U.S. Senate
U.S. Senate candidate Mitt Romney will be going to a June 26 primary against opponent Mike Kennedy. Kennedy defeated Romney, 51 percent to 49 percent, at the state Republican convention, but short of the needed 60 percent to avoid a primary. Romney and Kennedy emerged from a crowded field of 12 candidates at the convention.
Romney stated that he felt his choice to gather signatures through “County My Vote” provisions may have played a part in not clinching the nomination outright.
“I can’t possibly imagine that I’m speaking for the minds of the delegates, but I know that there were many people that were not enthusiastic about someone who gathered signatures,” Romney said to state media outlets following the second-place showing. “Frankly, given the fact that I collected signatures, and the delegates don’t like people who collect signatures, I’m delighted with the outcome.”
Kennedy, both a doctor and a lawyer, is a three-term representative to the Utah House from Alpine.
“Thank you so much to all of the delegates for your votes today,” said Kennedy in a statement. “I look forward to winning the support from voters across the state in the primary on June 26. Now let’s go clean up Washington!”
On the Democratic side, Salt Lake County Councilmember Jenny Wilson easily secured her party’s nomination at Saturday’s convention.
Wilson, the daughter of of former Salt Lake City mayor, Ted Wilson, took 81 percent of the vote, knocking out opponents Larry Livingston, Mitchell Vice and Jeff Dransfield.
Wilson is already campaigning against Romney, telling delegates at Saturday’s convention that if Romney needed driving directions to Tabiona, Escalante, Ephraim or Brigham City, she’d be willing to help “because I’m actually from this state.”
Sparse turnout at Democrat’s county convention does not dampen fighting spirit to ‘turn Utah blue’
April 25, 2018 • Nelson Phillips • Staff Writer
Box Elder County Democrats held their 2018 nominating convention on Saturday, but with only one candidate to nominate for county office, and a Jazz basketball playoff game on TV, turnout was sparse.
Approximately 30 people in total came out to the Box Elder County Fairgrounds for the event, with seven of those being candidates for state and federal office, and four being county party officials. The only local candidate fielded by the party, Seth Durfee, who is running for Box Elder County Commission Seat B, was nominated in absentia by acclimation.
The low turnout didn’t dampen the fighting spirit of the featured speaker, however, as State Senator Gene Davis exhorted local Democrats not to cede anything to Republicans.
“As I look at you all, I know I’m just as excited as you are for the blue wave that’s coming up,” began Davis. “We’re going to drive forward. We’re going to turn Utah blue.”
Davis, currently the Utah Senate minority leader, told those assembled that there are only five Democrats in the Utah Senate, and that he needs help to grow their numbers.
“I need help from Utahns to drive Utah forward,” he said. “It concerns me when I see the lack of affordable housing that we have in the state of Utah. We need to address this.”
“We’ve looked down so long at our shoes,” said Davis, concluding his remarks. “It’s time we look up and see the sunshine, and say ‘yes we can.’ I ask for your vote. I ask you to help me gain a Democratic majority in the Utah House and Senate.”
Other speakers included Mitchell Vice, candidate for U.S. Senate; Wilson campaign press secretary Allie Vallarta, speaking for U.S. Senate candidate Jenny Wilson; Lee Castillo, candidate for U.S. House District 1, Kurt Weiland, also running for U.S. House District 1; Mike Keil, who is running for Utah Senate District 17; Josh Hardy, running for Utah House District 1; and Kerry Wayne, running for Utah House District 29.
April 25, 2018 • Nelson Phillips • Staff Writer
Box Elder County Democrats held their 2018 nominating convention on Saturday, but with only one candidate to nominate for county office, and a Jazz basketball playoff game on TV, turnout was sparse.
Approximately 30 people in total came out to the Box Elder County Fairgrounds for the event, with seven of those being candidates for state and federal office, and four being county party officials. The only local candidate fielded by the party, Seth Durfee, who is running for Box Elder County Commission Seat B, was nominated in absentia by acclimation.
The low turnout didn’t dampen the fighting spirit of the featured speaker, however, as State Senator Gene Davis exhorted local Democrats not to cede anything to Republicans.
“As I look at you all, I know I’m just as excited as you are for the blue wave that’s coming up,” began Davis. “We’re going to drive forward. We’re going to turn Utah blue.”
Davis, currently the Utah Senate minority leader, told those assembled that there are only five Democrats in the Utah Senate, and that he needs help to grow their numbers.
“I need help from Utahns to drive Utah forward,” he said. “It concerns me when I see the lack of affordable housing that we have in the state of Utah. We need to address this.”
“We’ve looked down so long at our shoes,” said Davis, concluding his remarks. “It’s time we look up and see the sunshine, and say ‘yes we can.’ I ask for your vote. I ask you to help me gain a Democratic majority in the Utah House and Senate.”
Other speakers included Mitchell Vice, candidate for U.S. Senate; Wilson campaign press secretary Allie Vallarta, speaking for U.S. Senate candidate Jenny Wilson; Lee Castillo, candidate for U.S. House District 1, Kurt Weiland, also running for U.S. House District 1; Mike Keil, who is running for Utah Senate District 17; Josh Hardy, running for Utah House District 1; and Kerry Wayne, running for Utah House District 29.
Box Elder county delegates flock to hear Romney campaign for Hatch Senate seat
April 18, 2018 • Nelson Phillips • Staff Writer
Former Republican presidential nominee and current U.S. Senate candidate Mitt Romney stopped in Perry City on Friday, speaking with Box Elder County delegates in advance of Saturday’s Utah GOP convention.
Box Elder was the last of Utah’s 29 counties visited by Romney since announcing his intention last February to seek the seat of retiring senator, Orrin Hatch. The event was held at the home of Box Elder County Commissioner Jeff Hadfield, and attracted most, if not all, of the county’s 75 elected state delegates, with many standing in adjacent rooms to hear Romney speak.
Romney began by telling the delegates that he wasn’t planning on running for anything after his loss in the 2012 presidential election.
“I didn’t expect to be doing this,” he said. “Frankly I thought my political career was over after the 2012 election, so we bought the lot next to my son, Josh, in Holladay and started to build a house there.”
Romney bought the lot and began building a home in 2013, dividing his time between Utah and a beachfront home in La Jolla, California, as well as an apartment in Boston and a lakeside home in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. By 2015 the Romneys had taken to calling Utah their primary residence.
“I got a call from Orrin Hatch in 2017, and he said ‘I’m not sure if I’m going to run again, and I think you ought to think about it,’” continued Romney. “And we began thinking about it, and Ann [Romney’s wife] convinced me that I ought to do it.”
Romney said his wife reasoned that a junior senator usually can’t get anything done, but someone with Romney’s experience, name-recognition and established relationships could get things done, and that he could represent the people of Utah with more success, wielding more influence than someone less known.
“I felt I had an obligation to get in there, because these are challenging times for our families, for our state, and for the country,” he said.
Touching on policy he would put forward as a senator, Romney stated that getting the federal government back under its constitutional constraints was his highest priority.
April 18, 2018 • Nelson Phillips • Staff Writer
Former Republican presidential nominee and current U.S. Senate candidate Mitt Romney stopped in Perry City on Friday, speaking with Box Elder County delegates in advance of Saturday’s Utah GOP convention.
Box Elder was the last of Utah’s 29 counties visited by Romney since announcing his intention last February to seek the seat of retiring senator, Orrin Hatch. The event was held at the home of Box Elder County Commissioner Jeff Hadfield, and attracted most, if not all, of the county’s 75 elected state delegates, with many standing in adjacent rooms to hear Romney speak.
Romney began by telling the delegates that he wasn’t planning on running for anything after his loss in the 2012 presidential election.
“I didn’t expect to be doing this,” he said. “Frankly I thought my political career was over after the 2012 election, so we bought the lot next to my son, Josh, in Holladay and started to build a house there.”
Romney bought the lot and began building a home in 2013, dividing his time between Utah and a beachfront home in La Jolla, California, as well as an apartment in Boston and a lakeside home in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. By 2015 the Romneys had taken to calling Utah their primary residence.
“I got a call from Orrin Hatch in 2017, and he said ‘I’m not sure if I’m going to run again, and I think you ought to think about it,’” continued Romney. “And we began thinking about it, and Ann [Romney’s wife] convinced me that I ought to do it.”
Romney said his wife reasoned that a junior senator usually can’t get anything done, but someone with Romney’s experience, name-recognition and established relationships could get things done, and that he could represent the people of Utah with more success, wielding more influence than someone less known.
“I felt I had an obligation to get in there, because these are challenging times for our families, for our state, and for the country,” he said.
Touching on policy he would put forward as a senator, Romney stated that getting the federal government back under its constitutional constraints was his highest priority.
Count My Vote signature gathering law throws county Republican convention into turmoil
April 11, 2018 • Nelson Phillips • Staff Writer
At the Box Elder County Republican Convention on Saturday, incumbent county commissioners, Jeff Hadfield and Jeff Scott, both garnered over 60 percent of the county delegate vote, which in years past would have granted them the party nomination, but provisions of the Count My Vote law negated that, and had some officials questioning the usefulness of the convention system.
Hadfield defeated opponent, Charles Young, 64.86 percent to 35.14 for Commission Seat A, while Scott defeated Jon Adams 63.1 percent to 36.9 percent for Seat B.
However, because of Utah law allowing candidates to gather signatures to make the primary ballot, all four candidates will again square off in the primary election on June 26.
Young has gathered 503 signatures, two more than the 501 necessary to get on the primary ballot. Jon Adams gathered 527 signatures, also placing him on the primary ballot. Hadfield also gathered signatures, and had 547, guaranteeing his place in the primary whether he had won or lost at Saturday’s convention.
The situation had some questioning the relevance of the convention system.
“It’s made the convention pretty much useless in my opinion,” said a Republican county official who was present at the convention on Saturday.
The same type of scenario may also play out at the state Republican Convention on April 21, where District 1 Utah House candidate Joel Ferry has gathered 1,019 signatures, 19 more than needed to get on the primary ballot. His opponent, Kris Udy, decided not to gather signatures, and must beat Ferry outright at the convention in order to qualify to run against him in the primary.
Current District 1 Representative Scott Sandall, running for State Senate in District 17 against former Brigham City Mayor Clark Davis, has also gathered 2,002 signatures, exceeding the number needed by two for placement on the primary ballot. Davis will need to beat Sandall at the convention in order to run against him in the primary.
April 11, 2018 • Nelson Phillips • Staff Writer
At the Box Elder County Republican Convention on Saturday, incumbent county commissioners, Jeff Hadfield and Jeff Scott, both garnered over 60 percent of the county delegate vote, which in years past would have granted them the party nomination, but provisions of the Count My Vote law negated that, and had some officials questioning the usefulness of the convention system.
Hadfield defeated opponent, Charles Young, 64.86 percent to 35.14 for Commission Seat A, while Scott defeated Jon Adams 63.1 percent to 36.9 percent for Seat B.
However, because of Utah law allowing candidates to gather signatures to make the primary ballot, all four candidates will again square off in the primary election on June 26.
Young has gathered 503 signatures, two more than the 501 necessary to get on the primary ballot. Jon Adams gathered 527 signatures, also placing him on the primary ballot. Hadfield also gathered signatures, and had 547, guaranteeing his place in the primary whether he had won or lost at Saturday’s convention.
The situation had some questioning the relevance of the convention system.
“It’s made the convention pretty much useless in my opinion,” said a Republican county official who was present at the convention on Saturday.
The same type of scenario may also play out at the state Republican Convention on April 21, where District 1 Utah House candidate Joel Ferry has gathered 1,019 signatures, 19 more than needed to get on the primary ballot. His opponent, Kris Udy, decided not to gather signatures, and must beat Ferry outright at the convention in order to qualify to run against him in the primary.
Current District 1 Representative Scott Sandall, running for State Senate in District 17 against former Brigham City Mayor Clark Davis, has also gathered 2,002 signatures, exceeding the number needed by two for placement on the primary ballot. Davis will need to beat Sandall at the convention in order to run against him in the primary.