UTAH’S LIBERAL REPUBLICAN PROBLEM
Utah has a liberal Republican problem.
Despite our religious & conservative voting base, Utah’s elected leaders continue to push left-wing policies typically associated with blue states.
Driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants, DEI compacts, a “Dignity Index” to monitor speech… the instances are hard to count and the examples would make states like California and Minnesota blush.
Here are some notable examples:
GOVERNOR SPENCER COX
A lot has been said of our closeted Democrat governor, but nobody has ever accused him of being too conservative… or conservative at all
Aggressively pro-mask during Covid despite pushback and evidence of their ineffectiveness
Declared June to be “Pride Month” in 2021
Vetoed a bill banning trans athletes from high school sports in 2022
Hosted Muslim leaders for dinner
Oversaw Utah’s designation as a sanctuary state by DHS in 2023
Accepted a $75,000 donation from the nation’s largest teachers union
Signed the Utah Compact on Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Called his critics “right-wing extremists” in a fundraising email
LT. GOVERNOR DEIDRE HENDERSON
It’s hard to separate a Lt. Gov from their boss’s actions, especially when they’re elected on the same ticket. But Deidre has still managed to set herself apart as a liberal activist
Co-signed the Utah DEI compact
Has resisted Department of Justice efforts to clean state voter rolls of illegitimate voters
Made a special appearance at the pro-LGBT LoveLoud festival in 2022, criticizing Utah’s bill banning trans athletes from high school sports and speaking in support of the trans movement
Tweeted in support of the Russian Revolution that led to the establishment of the Soviet Union… because women’s rights, am I right?
U.S. SENATOR JOHN CURTIS
Republicans spooked former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney from running for reelection only to replace him with another wolf in sheep’s clothing
Ran for the state legislature as a Democrat in 2000
Served as Utah County Democrat Party chairman in 2002-03
Established the Conservative Climate Caucus
Voted in favor of codifying gay marriage… although in his defense, most of Utah’s congressional delegation did as well
Spoke in favor of political speech restrictions at UVU with Democrat Senator Mark Kelly
STATE SENATOR TODD WEILER
This dude either hates functional societies or is sick in the head. Most likely both
Supported Dianna Gibson’s nomination to be a Utah judge, despite her non-committal responses to supporting gun rights and the death penalty during her confirmation hearing. Gibson would ultimately issue a ruling tossing out the Utah legislature’s congressional map in November 2025
Sponsored a bill to make it easier for predators to be removed from the sex offender list
THE DIGNITY INDEX
Because why compete with ideas when you can just call your opponents “divisive?”
Launched in 2022 with Utah chosen as the location for its pilot program
Created by an organization called UNITE, also known as Project Unite Inc, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
Its stated mission is to “Ease divisions, prevent violence, and solve problems. We work to move from a culture of contempt to a culture of dignity.”
Its leaders include Democrat Tim Shriver and former Logan City councilwoman Tami Pyfer. Shriver, a member of the Kennedy family, is currently chairman of the Special Olympics and led a nationwide media campaign against the “R” word, while Pyfer was included as a speaker at the 2025 Mormon Women for Ethical Government Conference… the same organization that successfully sued to change Utah’s congressional map (yes, the same ruling Judge Dianna Gibson issued referenced above).
The Index grades political speech on a score of 1-8, with 1 being the most divisive language possible and 8 being the most dignified.
According to their website, the Index scores are compiled by “a group of coders, trained and supported by the University of Utah’s Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute and the Hinckley Institute of Politics” who “score selections from candidate speeches, debates, fundraising outreach, social media posts and campaign ads.”
Its local advisory board includes former Republican Governor Gary Herbert, who served as governor from 2009 to 2021 and appointed Spencer Cox as his Lt. Gov to fill a vacancy in 2013.
In February 2025, the University of Utah committed $1.5 million over 3 years in actual and in-kind funding to the Dignity Index for three staff positions and office space at the Thomas S. Monson Center, home of the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute
FORMER STATE SENATOR CURTIS BRAMBLE
While Bramble isn’t currently in the legislature, Utahns are still suffering from the effects of his “leadership.”
Served as a Republican state senator from 2001-24.
His "accomplishments" include sponsoring SB 227 to grant driving privilege cards to illegals and cosponsoring SB 216 to expand Utah's driver's license test to include more than 12 languages.
After leaving the state senate, Bramble registered as a lobbyist for his accounting and business consulting firm Bramble & Company.
