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Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Divided GOP rejects Lyman but remains restless about Utah elections
Utah Republican Party Chair Rob Axson defeated former gubernatorial candidate Phil Lyman to secure reelection as leader of the state GOP during the party's Saturday convention. A majority of the 2,560 delegates repeatedly voted against taking a more combative approach to party politics, including by rejecting an amendment that would have penalized signature gathering candidates. Axson received 1,340 votes compared to the 1,215 received by Lyman. Axson's winning vote share of 52.4% highlighted the existing division among party delegates over the 2024 gubernatorial election and the direction the party should take. Axson made party unity the core of his message to delegates, emphasizing his endorsements from President Donald Trump, Utah Sen. Mike Lee and other party leaders as evidence of his ability to create successful coalitions. 'It's time to build,' Axson said after the election results were announced. 'We've got to be building something that is a value to our fellow Utahns. I'm committed to doing that with all Republicans.' Throughout the convention, delegates returned to last year's race between Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Lyman, rehashing Lyman's victory among delegates at the convention followed by Cox's victory in the primary election among all of Utah's registered Republicans. At the heart of these complaints was Utah's 10-year-old election law requiring the state's major parties to recognize a signature gathering path to qualify for the primary ballot. Axson and Lyman both believe the law, known as SB54, should be eliminated but disagree on how. 'We must repeal SB54 but we cannot unless we are united. We can't beat SB54 if we spend all of our time beating one another,' Axson said during his prepared speech. 'But there is a clear difference between me and others: I am not willing to break the law.' In transitioning from his campaign for governor to one for GOP chair, Lyman made his top priority putting an end to the party's dual-pathway to the primary ballot as required under state law. On Tuesday, Lyman said this could be done through 'nullification,' a theory that argues that laws deemed unconstitutional can be ignored. 'The Utah GOP believes that it is subject to the legislature. It is not,' Lyman said in his campaign materials passed out to delegates. 'We are a private organization with all the rights of association.' Axson has maintained that SB54 must be repealed by the Legislature for the party to take action. He said the state House already has the votes to overturn the law but that there is insufficient support in the state Senate. After taking the stage to introduce Axson, Lee spoke to delegates a second time, asking Cox to return the state to a caucus-only nomination system. 'Mr. Governor, I implore you, tear down that wall,' Lee said. 'I ask you to convene a special legislative session as soon as possible, bring together the Legislature and ask the Legislature to restore the caucus and convention system.' Delegates amended party rules on Saturday to support the caucus-convention system while rejecting a change that would penalize candidates who gather signatures. A majority of delegates voted to remove a proposed constitutional amendment from the agenda that would have revoked the party membership of a candidate who sought the primary ballot by gathering signatures. However, delegates voted in favor of a resolution that would allow Republican votes cast for Lyman as a write-in candidate during the 2024 general election to be counted toward a calculation that apportions the number of GOP delegates for every county. Delegates also supported an amendment that would insert language in the party platform in support of Utah's unique caucus system based on neighborhood precincts and delegate conventions. Lyman's speech reflected on his entrance into politics, interpreted a biblical parable and compared the party's political climate to the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. 'You can say we're not going to have any of that in this day and age, we're not subject to the Salem witch trials, but I will tell you, as I have looked through the social media posts, and just like the Salem witch trials, these girls who felt like they had been afflicted by a specter,' Lyman said. 'When I look at social media, I see the same kind of feeling, people telling horrific stories about how they've been afflicted by the specter, usually the specter of Casey Gale, by the way.' This so-called 'specter' — which Lyman suggested was not a real source of concern — was divisiveness coming from some Lyman supporters, particularly one 'Casey Gale,' Lyman told delegates. Lyman hired Gale as a campaign consultant during his gubernatorial bid, paying him $20,000 for his services, according to public documents. But in his work as one of Lyman's most public and prolific supporters, Gale has come to be known among delegates as a personally threatening force in Utah politics. Over the previous few months, Gale insulted dozens of conservative delegates in the state in social media posts viewed by the Deseret News, calling them names like 'cowardly do nothing RINO,' and 'leftist psycho neoconservative.' In a free country, people should be able to say what they believe, Gale told the Deseret News, saying he still stood by his comments. On Friday, Gale posted on X that, 'Only the RINOs don't like party purity tests.' Lyman closed his speech with his own call for unity, saying he would stand behind Axson, Trump and Lee despite their differences on the election. For Jeff Schoell, a state delegate from Uintah County, Lyman's loss represents a fundamental setback for Utah conservatives seeking to root out 'corruption' in the government. Axson was not vocal enough in criticizing weaknesses in the election system or demanding transparency from public officials, according to Schoell, who said Lyman's campaign highlighted needed changes to the system. 'All that corruption would never have been exposed if it hadn't been for his efforts to fight for what was right,' Schoell said. As for Bill Hoster, the mayor of Leeds, Saturday's election represented a divide over how to treat people in the party who disagree with one another. He said he voted for Axson because he had developed the relationship with delegates, legislators and the governor to get things done for the party. 'We can't have someone in there throwing grenades and separating people from the party who don't march in step with others who have similar opinions,' Hoster said. Axson, as well as party secretary Stafford Palmieri Sievert — who was also reelected — emphasized that during his first term the party raised record amounts of money, gave record amounts to convention nominees and supported the national Republican Party with an unprecedented get-out-the-vote effort. But, according to Axson, the role of the chair must focus on investing in the infrastructure for future generations of conservatives, not just on the next election cycle. 'Strength comes from learning and it comes from building, not through burning,' Axson said. 'We must find converts to the cause, rather than chasing away people through purity tests. Utah needs this party to be firm, and it needs it to be united.'
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Divided GOP rejects Lyman but remains restless about Utah elections
Utah Republican Party Chair Rob Axson defeated former gubernatorial candidate Phil Lyman to secure reelection as leader of the state GOP during the party's Saturday convention. A majority of the 2,560 delegates repeatedly voted against taking a more combative approach to party politics, including by rejecting an amendment that would have penalized signature gathering candidates. Axson received 1,340 votes compared to the 1,215 received by Lyman. Axson's winning vote share of 52.4% highlighted the existing division among party delegates over the 2024 gubernatorial election and the direction the party should take. Axson made party unity the core of his message to delegates, emphasizing his endorsements from President Donald Trump, Utah Sen. Mike Lee and other party leaders as evidence of his ability to create successful coalitions. 'It's time to build,' Axson said after the election results were announced. 'We've got to be building something that is a value to our fellow Utahns. I'm committed to doing that with all Republicans.' Throughout the convention, delegates returned to last year's race between Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Lyman, rehashing Lyman's victory among delegates at the convention followed by Cox's victory in the primary election among all of Utah's registered Republicans. At the heart of these complaints was Utah's 10-year-old election law requiring the state's major parties to recognize a signature gathering path to qualify for the primary ballot. Axson and Lyman both believe the law, known as SB54, should be eliminated but disagree on how. 'We must repeal SB54 but we cannot unless we are united. We can't beat SB54 if we spend all of our time beating one another,' Axson said during his prepared speech. 'But there is a clear difference between me and others: I am not willing to break the law.' In transitioning from his campaign for governor to one for GOP chair, Lyman made his top priority putting an end to the party's dual-pathway to the primary ballot as required under state law. On Tuesday, Lyman said this could be done through 'nullification,' a theory that argues that laws deemed unconstitutional can be ignored. 'The Utah GOP believes that it is subject to the legislature. It is not,' Lyman said in his campaign materials passed out to delegates. 'We are a private organization with all the rights of association.' Axson has maintained that SB54 must be repealed by the Legislature for the party to take action. He said the state House already has the votes to overturn the law but that there is insufficient support in the state Senate. After taking the stage to introduce Axson, Lee spoke to delegates a second time, asking Cox to return the state to a caucus-only nomination system. 'Mr. Governor, I implore you, tear down that wall,' Lee said. 'I ask you to convene a special legislative session as soon as possible, bring together the Legislature and ask the Legislature to restore the caucus and convention system.' Delegates amended party rules on Saturday to support the caucus-convention system while rejecting a change that would penalize candidates who gather signatures. A majority of delegates voted to remove a proposed constitutional amendment from the agenda that would have revoked the party membership of a candidate who sought the primary ballot by gathering signatures. However, delegates voted in favor of a resolution that would allow Republican votes cast for Lyman as a write-in candidate during the 2024 general election to be counted toward a calculation that apportions the number of GOP delegates for every county. Delegates also supported an amendment that would insert language in the party platform in support of Utah's unique caucus system based on neighborhood precincts and delegate conventions. Lyman's speech reflected on his entrance into politics, interpreted a biblical parable and compared the party's political climate to the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. 'You can say we're not going to have any of that in this day and age, we're not subject to the Salem witch trials, but I will tell you, as I have looked through the social media posts, and just like the Salem witch trials, these girls who felt like they had been afflicted by a specter,' Lyman said. 'When I look at social media, I see the same kind of feeling, people telling horrific stories about how they've been afflicted by the specter, usually the specter of Casey Gale, by the way.' This so-called 'specter' — which Lyman suggested was not a real source of concern — was divisiveness coming from some Lyman supporters, particularly one 'Casey Gale,' Lyman told delegates. Lyman hired Gale as a campaign consultant during his gubernatorial bid, paying him $20,000 for his services, according to public documents. But in his work as one of Lyman's most public and prolific supporters, Gale has come to be known among delegates as a personally threatening force in Utah politics. Over the previous few months, Gale insulted dozens of conservative delegates in the state in social media posts viewed by the Deseret News, calling them names like 'cowardly do nothing RINO,' and 'leftist psycho neoconservative.' In a free country, people should be able to say what they believe, Gale told the Deseret News, saying he still stood by his comments. On Friday, Gale posted on X that, 'Only the RINOs don't like party purity tests.' Lyman closed his speech with his own call for unity, saying he would stand behind Axson, Trump and Lee despite their differences on the election. For Jeff Schoell, a state delegate from Uintah County, Lyman's loss represents a fundamental setback for Utah conservatives seeking to root out 'corruption' in the government. Axson was not vocal enough in criticizing weaknesses in the election system or demanding transparency from public officials, according to Schoell, who said Lyman's campaign highlighted needed changes to the system. 'All that corruption would never have been exposed if it hadn't been for his efforts to fight for what was right,' Schoell said. As for Bill Hoster, the mayor of Leeds, Saturday's election represented a divide over how to treat people in the party who disagree with one another. He said he voted for Axson because he had developed the relationship with delegates, legislators and the governor to get things done for the party. 'We can't have someone in there throwing grenades and separating people from the party who don't march in step with others who have similar opinions,' Hoster said. Axson, as well as party secretary Stafford Palmieri Sievert — who was also reelected — emphasized that during his first term the party raised record amounts of money, gave record amounts to convention nominees and supported the national Republican Party with an unprecedented get-out-the-vote effort. But, according to Axson, the role of the chair must focus on investing in the infrastructure for future generations of conservatives, not just on the next election cycle. 'Strength comes from learning and it comes from building, not through burning,' Axson said. 'We must find converts to the cause, rather than chasing away people through purity tests. Utah needs this party to be firm, and it needs it to be united.'
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
LIVE BLOG: Utah GOP Convention results
This post is a live blog. Updates regarding the GOP Convention will be added throughout the day. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — The Utah Republican Party is convening its 2025 State Organizing Convention today, May 17, at Utah Valley University in Orem. The convention was officially called to order at 10:30 a.m. A primary focus of the convention is the election for state party chair, featuring incumbent Rob Axson and challenger Phil Lyman. Axson has served since 2023 and has been endorsed by President Trump and Senator Mike Lee. Lyman is a former state legislator and gubernatorial candidate. SURVEY RESULTS: Utah GOP delegates asked about stripping party membership from signature-gathering candidates Delegates will also vote on amendments to the party constitution. Outcomes of today's convention are expected to significantly impact the Utah GOP moving forward. 11:08 a.m. — Delegates have decided to move up voting on all the party business forward to the agenda right after the chair vote. A big round of applause for that proposal, and it passes. 11:20 a.m. — Delegates have decided not to vote on the amendment that would have stripped party membership from signature-gathering candidates. This has been pulled from the agenda. 11:24 a.m. — Here is the agenda with links to the proposals (minus stripping party membership, amendment #7 — delegates pulled that.) Business is taking place before the elections of the chair, so there's a lot of participation. 11:36 a.m. — Delegates approve amendment #1, allowing them to change their party platform at any convention. That means they can adopt them in nominating years and organizing years, so every year instead of every two years (there's typically higher turnout in voting years). 11:38 a.m. — Delegates vote to change their fiscal year from July – July to October – October. They say that will give newly elected officers more time to budget better after they're elected in April – May. 11:44 a.m. — Delegates shoot down a proposal to make their precincts defined by the county parties and not the state. Delegates tried to argue that they should not be locked into precincts for caucus or delegate allocation that are defined by a government entity, especially if that entity is a member of the democrat party (or another different party) and does not have their best interests in mind. 11:53 a.m. — Another precinct proposal — allowing county parties to combine adjacent government precincts in order to create a larger party precincts — fails. 12 p.m. — A proposal on how the party calculates the number of delegates in a precinct fails. 12:12 p.m. — The party passes a proposal that a person seeking to run as a state Republican candidate for a partisan elected office must 'demonstrate continuous voter registration with Republican Party affiliation for the previous year.' The sponsor of the amendment also alleges that a democrat registered as a republican to fill a vacancy. It also would have impacted Rep. Celeste Maloy when she ran for office because her voter registration wasn't up to date when she filed to run for office. 12:33 p.m. — A proposal to lower the threshold of the state central committee — the governing body of the delegates — fails. This is a proposal that some see as a way to make it easier to change the direction of the party. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Delegate survey gives peek into Utah GOP Chair race
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. Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs appointed to join Trump administration 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. WATCH: Senator John Curtis' calls for 'wildly honest' conversations in maiden Senate floor speech 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. Attorney General files appeal to Utah Fits All ruling '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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Utah GOP delegates to vote on stripping party membership for candidates who gather signatures
SALT LAKE CITY () — At its 2025 organizing convention on May 17, Utah's Republican Party delegates are scheduled to consider revoking the party membership of any GOP candidates who gather signatures to get on a Primary election ballot — a move that, if passed, could be seen as a violation of state code and usher in grave consequences to their caucus convention system. , the party's some 4,000 delegates are scheduled to vote on whether to approve the following amendment to its Constitution: 'Any person who seeks public office ballot access as a Republican by any mechanism other than specifically provided within this Constitution shall be deemed to have failed to comply with the Republican Party Constitution, and that person's membership shall immediately be revoked for one year,' it reads. The caucus and convention path is the party's ballot access process. State law, however, dictates that candidates can access the ballot via either the convention path, the signature gathering path, or both. Utah legislature, Governor in talks to amend at least two 2025 vetoes, House Speaker says Utah law further states that the party must 'permit' its members to choose one or both methods. Put another way, a party cannot block a legal path to the ballot. If the amendment is adopted, a punishment of stripping a signature-gathering candidate of party membership could be seen as such. Further, it stands to reason that stripping a signature candidate of their party membership would also block them from running via convention because the party does not allow non-members to participate in their nominating process. It's unclear whether this proposal has a chance of passing. According to GOP bylaws, any delegate can bring forward an amendment with five co-sponsors, making it relatively easy to put anything on an agenda. Utah Legislature decides not to override governor's vetoes Party Chair Rob Axson said the convention is the place where delegates come to debate different ideas, 'especially since the threshold for consideration is incredibly small and any delegate, with a few cosponsors, can put forth proposals,' he said. But, the consequences if it passes could be significant. Blocking a path to the ballot could strip the party of what's known as its Qualified Political Party (QPP) status — which is a designation under state law that the party has chosen as the means to put their candidates on the ballot. That status requires that they recognize both the signature-gathering and the convention paths. 'A 'Qualified political party' means a registered political party that permits a member of the registered political party to seek the registered political party's nomination for any elective office by the member choosing to seek the nomination by either or both of the following methods: (convention or signature path),' state law reads. A registered political party only recognizes the signature path with a direct primary. Salt Lake City library workers officially unionize, move to bargain ahead of ban Axson, who is currently in a fight for party chair with former write-in candidate for Governor, Phil Lyman, said he's trying to build support in his party. 'I believe political parties are best when they try to win converts and build support around their principles,' said Axson. 'That is always more impactful to building strength than creating systems to chase away anyone who doesn't completely agree with you on something.' But others, like the Executive Director of Count My Vote (CMV), the group behind cementing the signature path to the ballot, see this is an attempt to 'disqualify' signature candidates in the decades-long feud between delegates and more mainstream Republicans over the compromise that ushered in the dual path to the ballot, still known as SB54. 'The proposed action…would disqualify signature candidates and exclude Republican voters from the nomination process,' said Taylor Morgan, CMV Executive Director. 'It's a shameful and desperate attempt to prop up the Party's failing caucuses and convention.' Morgan also said that his group stands ready to defend the signature path, which he called 'accountable, competitive, and strongly supported by all voters, especially Republicans.' 'Count My Vote remains committed to our mission and is prepared to take action to ensure that all Utah voters will continue to have a voice in our elections,' Morgan said. If the amendment is passed, it might take a lawsuit for the courts to determine whether QPP status is indeed violated. But if it is, the result may be that the party may lose its access to the state's primary ballot, meaning they would no longer nominate candidates via the caucus/convention path. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
