State Convention Preview

As the state's two largest political parties prepare for their conventions this weekend, more accusations of wrongdoing are coming to light in the race for Utah's 1st Congressional District. Host Jason Perry leads a conversation about what's to come when Republicans and Democrats meet on Saturday.

THE DEEPER DIVE:

• Approximately 4,000 Republicans and 1,500 Democrats will gather as delegates at their respective state conventions this weekend to vote on candidates for public office. Our expert panel discusses some of the top contests and examines what dynamics will be at play.
• ️ Delegates are elected at neighborhood caucus meetings which have been criticized over the years for low attendance. Polling from the Hinckley Institute of Politics finds only 10% of Utahns attended their local caucus. We evaluate whether delegates really represent the opinions of Utah voters at large.
• ✍️ Some candidates have already qualified for the primary ballot by gathering signatures. Our panel discusses Utah's unique dual path for ballot access, and whether changes to the system are likely to come in the future.
• Some notable incumbents did not win at their recent county conventions. Rep. Trevor Lee who has made a name for himself in the Utah Legislature as a conservative firebrand came second to his GOP challenger, Davis County Commissioner Bob Stevenson. Both will advance to the primary election in June. But in Salt Lake County, Laurie Stringham was eliminated in her bid for a second term on the County Council. Kathleen Anderson secured the Republican nomination for that seat and will face Democrat Zach Robinson in the November general election.
• ⚠️ There are new allegations of scandal in the race for Utah's 1st Congressional District. This week four women, including three prominent Utah Democrats, publicly accused Salt Lake City Councilwoman Eva Lopez Chavez of unwanted sexual advances. Lopez Chavez is one of the Democratic candidates for CD1 and has denied any wrongdoing.
(Editorial note: one of the accusers is Rep. Hoang Nguyen (D-Salt Lake City) who also serves on PBS Utah's advisory board.)
• ️ Former Utah Congressman Rob Bishop is making a bid to re-enter politics in the Beehive State. Bishop is running for an open seat in the Utah House of Representatives, where he served as Speaker in the 1990s before being elected to Congress.

️ FEATURING:
• Rep. Doug Owens – (D) Millcreek, Utah House Minority Caucus Manager
• Becki Wright – Founder & CEO, Proximity
• Taylor Morgan – Partner, Morgan & May Public Affairs

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