Candidates for the State GOP chair debate convention system, logistics, and party unity ahead of state convention
ST. GEORGE, Utah (ABC4) — The two candidates for the chair of the state republican party faced off in a largely cordial debate over several party issues in a debate organized by Washington County Republican Women.
Chair elections, which usually happen in off years between midterm and presidential elections, are held to decide party leadership and are held along with other party official races. These races occur every two years, and this year, two candidates are vying for the Chairmanship of the Utah Republican Party.
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Phil Lyman, who previously was a state legislator and Republican Convention candidate for Governor in 2024, is seeking to unseat incumbent Rob Axson, who has served in the role since he was elected in the 2023 state convention.
Both men met each other at a debate hosted in St. George Monday evening where several issues were covered that are prevalent in state republican politics, including preserving the convention process, logistics for caucus, and party unity. The debate was largely cordial between both candidates, with only subtle jabs exchanged in discussing if the party had done enough to preserve the convention process.
Debate on party support of the Convention system
'I do believe that it's important to ask what are the things that you are unwilling to do,' Axson said to those in attendance in response that the party hadn't done enough to preserve the convention system. 'Am I willing to push back against the Governor? Yes I am. Have I done it? Yes, I have. Am I willing to break the law? No, I am not.'
Lyman, though not mentioning Axson by name, suggested that 'the party' should have done more in supporting convention candidates during the 2024 election cycle.
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'It would have made a huge difference,' Lyman stated in reference to wanting Axson as a filer on a lawsuit he filed to reveal signature packets by Gov. Spencer Cox's campaign. 'And I wished the party would have joined on that because it's not my primary, it belongs to the Republican party.'
Debate on logistics for caucus night
Another topic of the debate was logistics, and how to prepare for caucus night, and strengthening the caucus system. Axson began saying that constant engagement was needed in order to keep the system strong.
'There were some logistical issues and there were some challenges,' Axson said in reference to the 2024 caucus night. 'I am a big believer that you have to learn the lessons that were easy lessons and good lessons and replicate those. But you also have to be willing to learn the lessons that come with difficulty.'
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Axson also mentioned how he is still in favor of a repeal of S.B. 54, which allows candidates to gather signatures as an alternative to the convention system. Lyman shared this view, saying the law nullifies the work state delegates do at convention.
'That is a system that has been turned on its head deliberately by people who want to usurp our republican primary system,' Lyman stated. 'When that happens, then you get people going to caucus saying 'what's the point?''
Debate on party unity
The first questions asked to both candidates at the debate was regarding the factions in the party and how they would unite them.
Axson pointed out that sticking to the party platform was the best way to unite the factions, saying that the principles are what matter.
'We have a lot of people, lot of different perspectives. A Utah Republican may look different in Washington County, or San Juan County, versus somebody in Salt Lake County or Davis County, and that needs to be okay,' Axson began. 'As long as we are focused on the principles.'
Lyman focused on discontent spread by 'parasitic elites' and other threats within the party itself. Saying that it's those at the 'top' calling the shots for themselves rather than the people at the bottom.
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'Our problem is not a threat from the democrats, it's a threat from the republicans themselves,' Lyman began. 'The elite that call the shots … they want to control things. They are called the parasitic elite. They want stadiums, they want benefits, they want to control the world. They want to bring in policies that give them control over the whole apparatus. It's not about the people on the left or people on the right at that point, it's about people that are calling the shots.'
Upcoming election
Many more issues were discussed at the debate relating to fundraising, judicial activism, and proposals at state convention. The upcoming election is set to be at the State Convention on May 17, held at the UCCU Center.
Alongside the chair election, other party leadership roles are up for grabs. Party secretary has two candidates seeking the office. Incumbent Stafford Sievert will face off against challenger Olivia Williams. Two offices are running unopposed, this includes the current vice chair, Melanie Monester, and the office of Treasurer, where former Salt Lake County GOP party chair, Chris Null, is running unopposed.
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