United Utah Party

American political party

United Utah Party

Chairperson| Hillary Sterling
Founded| 2017; 7 years ago (2017)
Membership (2021)| 2,565[1]
Ideology| Centrism
Third Way
Reformism
Political position| Center[2]
Colors|  Maroon
U.S. Senate (Utah Seats)|

0 / 2

U.S. House of Representatives (Utah Seats)|

0 / 4

Seats in the State Senate|

0 / 29

Seats in the State House|

0 / 75

Other elected offices| 1 (Teri McCabe – Provo City School Board)
Website
www.unitedutah.org

* Politics of United States
* Political parties
* Elections

The United Utah Party (UUP) is a centrist political party in the United States. It was founded in 2017 and is active only in the state of Utah. The party identifies itself as politically moderate, and was created out of frustration with the Republican and Democratic parties.

## History[edit]

### Background and formation[edit]

Prior to the formation of the United Utah Party, Brigham Young University (BYU) political science professor Richard Davis had considered forming a political party for years. According to Davis, he found people were open to an alternative political party during the 2016 U.S. presidential election.[3] He announced the formation of the party on May 22, 2017.[4] Davis became a chairperson for the party. Jim Bennett, the son of former U.S. Senator Bob Bennett, was the party's executive director until he stepped down to run as the UUP's candidate in a special congressional election to replace Jason Chaffetz.[2] Nils Bergeson, a former U.S. foreign service officer, became the party's second executive director in 2018.[5]

### 2017 Utah congressional election[edit]

Main article: 2017 Utah's 3rd congressional district special election

On May 26, 2017, Jim Bennett attempted to apply as an affiliated candidate in Utah's 3rd congressional district special election, 2017, but the lieutenant governor's office rejected the application because the elections office had not had 30 days to finish certifying the new party.[6][7] Bennett refused to register as an unaffiliated candidate.[8] Utah's elections office certified the party on June 27, 2017.[9]

Former logo used in the 2017 and 2018 elections.

On June 21, 2017, the UUP filed a lawsuit against Utah state officials to get Bennett's name on the ballot.[10] In court, a Utah state attorney argued that the UUP could have formed earlier to meet the application deadline. A party lawyer argued that only a "soothsayer" could have predicted that Jason Chaffetz would resign from the U.S. House of Representatives.[11] On August 2, 2017, a federal judge in charge of the case ordered Utah election officials to allow Bennett on the ballot under the United Utah Party.[12]

2018 UUP Convention.

In late September 2017, Bennett narrowly qualified to participate in the Utah Debate Commission's selective debate, along with the election's Republican and Democratic candidates, John Curtis and Kathie Allen.[13] The special election was held on November 7, 2017, and Bennett conceded the race hours after the polls closed and initial results showed Curtis winning and Allen getting second place.[14] Bennett got third place with 9.3% of the popular vote.[15]

### 2018 House of Representatives elections[edit]

Main article: 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Utah

In February 2018, two UUP candidates announced they would run for the United States House of Representatives: Jan Garbett and Logan, Utah native Eric Eliason, who challenged Republicans Chris Stewart and Rob Bishop respectively.[16] On March 20, 2018, the United Utah Party held caucuses at 19 locations with attendance of just over 900 people, when the party had just over 400 registered members.[17] Garbett later withdrew from the race. Eliason was defeated, receiving 11.6% of the vote as Rob Bishop was reelected to what would become his final term.

### 2020 elections[edit]

#### Candidates[edit]

Name  | Office  | Votes  | %  | Position  | Margin with

winner

|
|
|
|
|

Brian Fabbi  | State Auditor | 173,644  | 13.0  | 2nd  | 61.8
Thomas McNeill  | US Representative - CD3 | 7,040  | 2.0  | 4th  | 66.7
Jonia Broderick  | US Representative - CD4 | 8,037  | 2.1  | 4th  | 45.6
Emily Bergeson  | State Senator \- SD7  | 11,351  | 22.3  | 2nd  | 55.4
Chris Rawlins  | State Representative \- HD6  | 4,767  | 19.6  | 2nd  | 60.8
Shawn Ferriola  | State Representative - HD12  | 3,983  | 22.8  | 2nd  | 54.4
Ammon Gruwell  | State Representative - HD15  | 5,301  | 22.8  | 2nd  | 54.4
Cabot Nelson  | State Representative - HD25  | 607  | 3.0  | 3rd  | 79.8
Tanner Greenhalgh  | State Representative - HD29  | 691  | 3.1  | 3rd  | 75.5
Adam Bean  | State Representative - HD35  | 662  | 4.5  | 3rd  | 63.3
Dave Lundgren  | State Representative - HD41  | 1,602  | 6.4  | 3rd  | 63.0
Ryan Boudwin  | State Representative - HD42  | 1,178  | 4.9  | 3rd  | 53.6
Jeff Bardin  | State Representative - HD43  | 825  | 5.4  | 3rd  | 47.0
John Jackson  | State Representative - HD44  | 733  | 3.9  | 3rd  | 51.8
Joseph Shelton  | State Representative - HD48  | 654  | 3.7  | 3rd  | 68.6
Kate Walters  | State Representative - HD56  | 3,576  | 18.4  | 2nd  | 63.2
Homer Morrill  | State Representative - HD58  | 809  | 4.8  | 3rd  | 79.8
Catherine Eslinger  | State Representative - HD59  | 4,841  | 24.2  | 2nd  | 51.5
Christine Heath  | State Representative - HD60  | 3,540  | 22.0  | 2nd  | 50.7
Nils Bergeson  | State Representative - HD61  | 3,034  | 20.3  | 2nd  | 59.4
Austin Simcox  | State Representative - HD63  | 588  | 7.6  | 3rd  | 53.4
Piper Manesse  | State Representative - HD72  | 1,374  | 7.5  | 3rd  | 67.9
Ed Phillips  | Millard County Commissioner | 2,319  | 38.3  | 2nd  | 23.4
Monette Clark  | San Juan County Commissioner | 481  | 20.6  | 2nd  | 58.7
Larry Smith  | Sanpete County Commissioner | 2,672  | 22.1  | 2nd  | 55.8

### 2022 elections[edit]

#### Candidates[edit]

Name  | Office  | Votes  | %  | Position  | Margin with

winner

|
|
|
|
|

Evan McMullin  | Senate (endorse)  | 459,958  | 42.7  | 2nd  | 10.5
Thomas Horne  | State Treasurer (special)  | 94,265  | 9.6  | 3rd  | 64.5
Jay Mcfarland  | US Representative - CD2 | 8,622  | 3.3  | 3rd  | 56.4
January Walker  | US Representative - CD4 | 16,740  | 6.6  | 3rd  | 54.5
Kimberly Wagner  | State Senator \- SD7  | 10,651  | 28.1  | 2nd  | 43.8
Dennis Roach  | State Senator \- SD14  | 929  | 1.8  | 3rd  | 60.4
Jed Nordfeldt  | State Senator \- SD18  | 1,842  | 5.1  | 3rd  | 61.3
Tyler Peterson  | State Senator \- SD19  | 3,301  | 6.9  | 3rd  | 51.5
Patricia Bradford  | State Senator \- SD28  | 3,354  | 9.0  | 3rd  | 71.9
Ammon Gruwell  | State Representative \- HD15  | 3,147  | 22.4  | 2nd  | 55.3
Cabot Nelson  | State Representative - HD23  | 535  | 2.6  | 3rd  | 74.0
Evan Rodgers  | State Representative - HD30  | 638  | 6.2  | 3rd  | 42.5
Adam Bean  | State Representative - HD32  | 353  | 2.7  | 3rd  | 69.9
Tim Loftis  | State Representative - HD40  | 439  | 3.8  | 3rd  | 52.0
David Jack  | State Representative - HD42  | 4,326  | 21.7  | 2nd  | 36.1
Ladd Johnson  | State Representative - HD46  | 5,562  | 35.5  | 2nd  | 29.1
Dave Lundgren  | State Representative - HD47  | 4,530  | 29.8  | 2nd  | 40.4
Andrew Matishen  | State Representative - HD54  | 993  | 5.5  | 3rd  | 74.6
Alan Wessman  | State Representative - HD64  | 2,761  | 20.0  | 2nd  | 60.0
Zeno Parry  | State Representative - HD70  | 1,228  | 8.1  | 2nd  | 83.8
Piper Manesse  | State Representative - HD71  | 886  | 7.2  | 3rd  | 69.3
Jonathan Munoz  | Millard County Commissioner | 2,188  | 43.2  | 2nd  | 13.7

### 2023 elections[edit]

In 2023, Chris Stewart resigned as the representative of Utah's 2nd congressional district, prompting a special election on November 21st. January Walker, the party's nominee for the 4th district in 2022, won the United Utah Party's nominating convention,[18] placing 5th in the special election with 2,856 votes and 1.81%.

### 2024 elections[edit]

Candidates

Name  | Office  | Votes  | %  | Position  | Margin with

winner

|
|
|
|
|

Vaughn Cook  | US Representative - CD4 |  |  |  |
Michelle Quist  | State Attorney General |  |  |  |
Cabot Nelson  | State Representative \- HD23  |  |  |  |
Adam Bean  | State Representative - HD32  |  |  |  |
Dennis Roach  | State Representative - HD34  |  |  |  |
John Jackson  | State Representative - HD40  |  |  |  |
Dave Lundgren  | State Representative - HD47  |  |  |  |
Alex Day  | State Representative - HD53  |  |  |  |
Zeno Parry  | State Representative - HD70  |  |  |  |
Alan Wessman  | Utah County Commissioner |  |  |  |
Tori Broughton  | Wasatch County Councilor |  |  |  |

[19]

## Political positions[edit]

According to former UUP chairman Richard Davis, the party's platform is mostly based on laws and principles, rather than specific social positions.[3] He told The Salt Lake Tribune that the party supports term limits, stricter campaign-finance laws, efforts to stop gerrymandering, and increased school funding. The party's platform also includes enforcing immigration laws "with compassion," and generally opposes abortion with specific exceptions.[2] The party believes that public lands can be preserved while still allowing economic development.[3] The UUP supports the right of responsible gun owners to possess firearms.[20]

The UUP supports efforts to stop using taxpayer money in the Utah Republican Party's closed primary elections.[21] On December 1, 2017, the party called for greater transparency regarding sexual harassment allegations on Capitol Hill.[22] In January 2018, the UUP announced support for the "Our Schools Now" initiative, a proposed progressive tax meant to increase funding for education.[23]

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Current Voter Registration Statistics". vote.utah.gov. July 28, 2020. Archived from the original on July 31, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
2. ^ a b c "New centrist party forms in Utah to attract disaffected Republicans, Democrats". The Salt Lake Tribune. May 22, 2017. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
3. ^ a b c Jarman, Sara (August 10, 2017). "What is the United Utah Party?". KSL-TV. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
4. ^ Romboy, Dennis (May 22, 2017). "Frustrated Utah Republicans, Democrats form new centrist political party". Deseret News. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
5. ^ "United Utah Party caucuses exceed expectations with 900 attendees".
6. ^ Tanner, Courtney; Harrie, Dan (May 25, 2017). "Jim Bennett tries to jump into race for Congress, but state won't let him under new party's banner". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved June 12, 2017.
7. ^ Harris, Dylan Woolf (May 27, 2017). "Hot for Chaffetz' Seat". Salt Lake City Weekly. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
8. ^ Roche, Lisa Riley (June 17, 2017). "Backers of new Utah political party say they'll sue to get candidate in congressional race". KSL-TV. Retrieved June 18, 2017.
9. ^ Ritchey, Julia (June 27, 2017). "New Centrist Party Recognized By State Amid Lawsuit". KUER 90.1. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
10. ^ "New Utah party sues to get onto ballot to replace Chaffetz". Fox News. June 22, 2017. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
11. ^ Romboy, Dennis (July 14, 2017). "State, United Utah Party argue over access to 3rd District special election ballot". KSL-TV. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
12. ^ Price, Michelle L. (August 2, 2017). "Judge: Bennett's Son Can Join Utah Race to Replace Chaffetz". U.S. News & World Report. Associated Press. Retrieved August 3, 2017.
13. ^ Tanner, Courtney (September 22, 2017). "United Utah hopeful Jim Bennett qualifies for 3rd District debate in race to fill seat vacated by Jason Chaffetz". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
14. ^ Tanner, Courtney (November 7, 2018). "Republican John Curtis easily beats Democrat Kathie Allen, even in Salt Lake County". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
15. ^ "Utah Election Preliminary Results". Retrieved November 21, 2017.
16. ^ Cathcart, Preston (February 13, 2018). "United Utah Party candidates to challenge 2 congressmen". Deseret News. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
17. ^ Klopfenstein, Jacob (March 22, 2018). "United Utah Party caucuses exceed expectations with 900 attendees". KSL-TV. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
18. ^ Schott, Bryan (June 8, 2023). "Here's who could replace Rep. Stewart in Congress". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
19. ^ Everett, Kellen (January 9, 2024). "UUP Announces 2024 Candidates". United Utah Party.
20. ^ "Platform". United Utah Party. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
21. ^ Davidson, Lee (August 10, 2017). "New party seeks to end state funding for closed Republican primaries". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
22. ^ Romboy, Dennis (December 2, 2017). "Utah Rep. Mia Love proposes to end taxpayer-funded sexual harassment settlements". KSL-TV. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
23. ^ Wood, Benjamin (January 18, 2018). "United Utah party backs $715 million-a-year school funding initiative, but state's Democrats and GOP aren't choosing sides". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved January 19, 2018.

## External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to United Utah Party.

* Official website
* Jim Bennett for Congress at the Wayback Machine (archived October 15, 2017)

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