Category: Featured

Featured posts

The Seven Serious Sins of Political Campaign Design

Beau Sorensen

Every time Utah primary season comes along, I notice a large number of terribly designed political campaign signs at every major intersection. In this day and age with quality design so easily accessible, I consider having a compelling political brand and logo table stakes for a run. I’m not saying that a great design will win you an election, but it will make you look put together and detail-oriented. With that in mind, here are seven things that you should absolutely avoid if you’re ever putting together a political campaign…

Rednecks and Blue Checks

Harry Caines

“So you found a girl who thinks really deep thoughts. What’s so amazing about really deep thoughts?” — Tori Amos, from the song “Silent All These Years”. You can learn much by asking the same question about a story in the news to a Ph.D sipping a soy milk latte at 10 AM, and then subsequently a truck driver guzzling a Bud Light at 6 PM. A diversity of opinions from different demographics does it for me. This is what I would do often during the 15 years I lived…

Our Dystopian Existence

Harry Caines

“Ay, sir; to be honest, as this world goes, is to be one man picked out of ten thousand.” — Hamlet, from “Hamlet” Has it really been 14 months since I last submitted a column to Utah Politico Hub? Let’s check the archives. Yes, indeed. And now, at least temporarily, the hibernation is over.  Time does fly when you are in constant anguish due to your civil liberties being stripped from you, your entire way of life has been forcibly altered and the people elected to serve you believe they…

The Candidates for Chair of the Utah GOP

John Mulholland

Five candidates are vying for the position of state party chair to replace Derek Brown, who isn’t running again. Candidate information can be found at https://utgop.org/candidates/ Brad Baker Brad is a student at Weber State University studying communication and student advocacy. He wants to see the caucus system improved. There is a lot he still doesn’t know but as chair, he would use that position to sway the policy and agenda of the party. He does believe competition can motivate and improve the caucus system though.  Brad said he would…

An Open Letter to Governor Cox

David Rogers

Dear Governor Cox, I voted for you and lend my support to you because you are an avowed conservative, grew up in San Pete County (we should always have confidence in the solid roots of a country boy), and received a comprehensive apprenticeship under the leadership of a decent man in Gary Herbert. In a previous article on this site, written prior to your election, I spoke of the need for a wartime governor, the standard status quo just will not cut it in these perilous times. I am hoping,…

The Candidates to Replace Tanner Ainge on the Utah County Commission

John Mulholland

With Commissioner Tanner Ainge stepping down mid-term to serve in the Cox Administration, candidates have lined up for the chance to replace him on the Utah County Commission. Because Ainge was nominated and elected as a Republican, the Utah County GOP Central Committee will select his replacement. The central committee consists of Republican precinct chairs and vice-chairs. As there are only 3 commissioners, this is a very important race. Websites, phone numbers, and YouTube videos for the candidates can be found at the Utah County Republican Party site. The vote…

The GOP Can Win; the GQP Will Lose

John English

Is there a liberal version of CPAC that happens every year? I can’t think of it if there is. CPAC gets wall-to-wall coverage each time it’s held. Why is this? It used to be a place where the media could take a peek at mainstream conservative thought, a weekend Comic-Con where cosplayers wear tri-cornered hats instead of Batman masks. CPAC has eroded the past few years into an event welcomed now only by those in the populist-nationalist wing of the party, where Marjorie Taylor Greene is revered while Ben Sasse…

Right-wing activists seek to censure Mitt Romney

David Rogers

I get the distinct impression that I am not the only one wondering about our distinguished Senator Mitt Romney. When social media accounts broke with voters inappropriately harassing him at airports, one gets the feeling all is not well in the Romney camp. Many voters are left wondering if he understands or reflects some of their serious concerns. Now the Utah Platform Political Action Committee has voted to censure Romney. Why, we must ask, would anyone think this necessary? The Committee is not the mainstream Utah Republican Party, but an…

The Post Trump Problematic Paradigm

David Rogers

I greatly enjoyed Curt Bentley’s recent article Creating a Post-Trumpian Era. I agree with the majority of his assessment and his plea for each of us to stop looking at each other based on divisions, political or otherwise. But I think Mr. Bentley left out one important point. Let me illustrate with a metaphoric story. I have been an avid motorcycle rider since the tender age of sixteen. In the late eighties, I attended a popular road race at a historic venue back east. During one race, two bikes became…

As Republican-led States Lift Mandates, Utah Legislature Doubles Down on Restrictions and Fines.

Monte Wells

Late on the 44th day of a 45-day session, the House of Representatives finally had a chance to hear the much-anticipated Senate Bill 195. After a long day, Speaker Brad Wilson called on Assistant Majority Leader, Representative Val Peterson, to present SB195. Peterson said that “within the health department, as you know, they have broad powers, and they can put restrictive orders in place.” He said that SB195 would provide a means for state and local health departments to receive “buy-in from their elected officials on these orders.” But Representative…