Utah Democrats to choose between seasoned legislator and young campaigner as new leader
Utah Democratic Party officials expect between 800 to 1,000 people to attend their organizing convention in person this year, one of the largest headcounts for a non-election year gathering the party has seen in recent years.
Diane Lewis, who has chaired the party's Utah chapter for the last four years, didn't throw her hat in the ring for another term in her role. But, with four other candidates eager to pick up where she left off, she's hopeful for the future of organized Democrats in deep red Utah.
'I have never seen as much excitement and turnout at our conventions. I would say that our turnouts probably have doubled (in different Democratic events across the state),' Lewis said on Thursday. 'New people, young people, people wanting to get involved, run for office.'
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There are two major candidates for chair this year — former Rep. Brian King, a widely-known face in state politics for about 16 years who left his spot at the Utah House to compete in last year's gubernatorial elections with no success, and newcomer Ben Peck, who has been behind campaigns that have flipped some red offices to blue.
Jonathan Lopez, an IT technician who has been behind other Democratic campaigns and is also running for chair, didn't answer an interview request, and the fourth candidate, Archie A Williams III, didn't list his information on the party's website prior to the convention.
Committing to such a role didn't come easy for King, he said on Thursday. But, after seeing President Donald Trump's election and bracing to witness another legislative session with a Republican supermajority, this time from the sidelines, he couldn't stand the idea of sitting on his hands.
He sees that ubiquitous red presence in Utah politics as a monopoly that needs to be of lower intensity with more competition.
Strategizing before election, Utah Democrats plead 'come back home'
'People may not realize how damaging it is to have a monopoly of political power, like we do in Utah,' King said. 'The Republicans have a supermajority in the legislature. They control the executive branch with the governor. They control the great majority of counties here in the state, and it's not good for Utahns to not have more healthy competition.'
Most Democratic elected officers represent areas along the Wasatch Front. However, King believes that Utahns in rural counties are ready for a change of policies to tackle issues they deal with daily.
'When you're in the supermajority for long enough, like the Republicans are, you get complacent. You think that you don't have to address people's problems, you don't have to work hard,' he said.
During his campaign, he has also seen more engagement from affiliates who, since Trump took office, have felt the need to step up, he said, 'and push back against government overreach at the state level and the federal level.'
While King has been around for longer and has an extensive list of flashy endorsements, including Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County mayors, among other prominent Utah Democrats, Peck said he's 'cautiously optimistic' about his chances on Saturday.
'My message seems to really be resonating with people,' Peck said. 'I know it's going to be an uphill battle. Brian has a long history here in the state and in the party, but I think that people are ready for a change, ready to try something new.'
He knows what it takes to win in Utah, he said, highlighting the successful campaigns he ran that elected Natalie Pinkney in a tight race for a Salt Lake County Council seat, and Sheila Srivastava, the first woman elected to serve as Salt Lake County treasurer.
At 25 years old, he also believes the party needs representation from younger people, as support appears to be slipping in that group and the state Legislature keeps its Republican supermajority.
'It's hard for people who have been involved in politics for decades to credibly tell people 'I'm going to fix it. Things are going to change now,' because people rightly come back with, 'well, why haven't you done it yet?'' Peck said.
The day will start and end early at Ogden High School, with delegates convening in smaller caucuses to discuss issues like approaches to health care, education and labor, among others, and to elect new leadership, including the party's vice chair, secretary and treasurer.
Delegates will also vote on a party platform highlighting Utah Democrats' belief in economic security, equality of opportunity and investing in the common good for all. Additionally, they'll make their choice on two resolutions, one relating to veterans, and the other to take an official stand against presidents running for three terms.
While Lewis is looking forward to her retirement, she is also excited about seeing where the party goes now.
'We have amazing leaders in each county party, and they're willing to work. I hope that the new leadership of the state party sees that whole thing, and that they continue to build from where we are now,' Lewis said. 'Because the only place we can go is up.'
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