The Utah Republican Convention has nominated a slate of candidates who prioritize being “MAGA” over actual qualifications and governing experience. Trent Staggs, the nominee for the U.S. Senate, has limited experience as the mayor of Riverton, Utah’s 21st-largest city. Despite this, he was endorsed by Donald Trump and other election deniers.
Meanwhile, the convention delegates rejected incumbent Rep. Celeste Maloy for listening to the U.S. intelligence community in favor of a candidate backed by “constitutional scholar” Mike Lee.
The most concerning nomination, however, is Phil Lyman for governor. Lyman gained notoriety for organizing an unlawful ATV ride through ancient Pueblo peoples’ burial sites, dwellings, and artifacts.
Utah GOP Nominates Lyman for Governor’s Race
He was later pardoned by Trump, and his criminal conviction was rescinded. This nomination suggests that the delegates value loyalty to Trump and “patriot warrior” ideology over respect for the law and marginalized communities.
These nominations are troubling because they prioritize bombastic posturing over actual governing. The delegates seem more interested in electing candidates who will loudly proclaim their loyalty to Trump and “Utah values” than in selecting leaders who will work to address the state’s pressing issues. This approach could lead to electing candidates like Marjorie Taylor Greene, who are more interested in grandstanding than in governing.
In Utah, it seems that being “MAGA” is the top qualification for office, regardless of one’s experience or policies. This is a concerning trend, as it suggests that the state’s Republican Party is more interested in ideology than in governing. The author hopes voters will prioritize actual leadership and governing experience over loyalty to Trump and “MAGA” ideology.
