Delegate survey gives peek into Utah GOP Chair race

Yahoo

16-05-2025

SALT LAKE CITY () — Days before Utah Republican Party delegates are set to convene at a state convention widely viewed as a litmus test for the direction of the party, a new text survey is providing insights into where the race for chairman stands.
A text sent to Republican Party state delegates and alternate delegates commissioned by signature-backers (CMV) shows that, of those that responded, 59.06% support Rob Axson. 39.7% supported Phil Lyman, and 1.24% were undecided.
CMV successfully delivered 3,974 texts to delegates with 403 respondents, however, there is no way to know whether each of those delegates will be attending Saturday's May 17 convention, although respondents self-identified that they were planning to attend.
It's also worth noting that CMV is the backer of the successful 2014 compromise that ushered in signature gathering and Utah's dual path to the ballot — something delegates, generally, are still sour over. CMV says they are issuing a series of 'educational' texts in the coming weeks to gauge how Republican delegates and leaders feel about the dual path.
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This text, sent the morning of May 15, identified Count My Vote as the sender and simply asked, 'Which Utah Republican Chair candidate do you plan to vote for this weekend? 1-Phil Lyman, or 2- Rob Axson.'
While the survey might not be an exact representation of how those attending the convention will vote and was not sent by a pollster, it is the most up-to-date and relevant information available on where delegates eligible to vote stand on the key chair vote — seen as a battle between the factions of the state's dominant political party.
'I am working my tail off trying to meet with every delegate possible and earn every vote,' Axson said in response to the poll numbers. 'I will leave it in their hands and in the process.'
Lyman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Neither candidate had any affiliation with the poll.
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Perhaps the most stark difference between the two candidates is over the candidate ballot access compromise of 2014, still known by its bill name, S.B. 54.
Both candidates want to abolish S.B. 54 and the signature path to the ballot, however, Phil Lyman has championed a harsher approach, saying that candidates who don't support the caucus system should be stripped of party membership.
'Anyone who advocates to get rid of the caucus system, or who takes steps to weaken the caucus system, should be removed from the Republican Party in Utah. Candidates should have to earn the 'R' next to their name,' Lyman wrote on X Thursday.
Axson has said he wants to work legislatively to repeal S.B. 54, saying at a recent debate that he's 'not willing to break the law,' which requires the party allow for the dual path in order to keep what's known as its Qualified Political Party (QPP) status — which the state requires for them to put candidates on ballot which is paid for and administered by the state.
It's unclear whether either candidate directly supports the proposal from delegates that would strip party membership from candidates who gather signatures, though each has hinted at it.
Lyman has said he wants to prioritize the party running its own primary, independent of the state.
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'This one change, with elections managed at the precinct level instead of the Lt Governor's office, will have a profound influence on the future of our state. If we're going to fundraise, let it be for this,' Lyman wrote in a letter to delegates posted on X.
When asked about the proposal directly, Axson told ABC4 he wanted to remain neutral as the current chair, who may end up leading the meeting during that vote.
'I have always been a believer that we get more off of bringing people together rather than chasing people away,' Axson said while defending the delegates for bringing the proposal forward.
Axson has recently been . Lyman is popular among the delegates and , but lost his bid for governor in the primary, and also lost as a write-in candidate in the general.
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