Utah
Is JD Vance’s working-class conservatism the future of the GOP? Utah's youngest lawmaker hopes the answer is 'yes'
Utah’s youngest state lawmaker brought his working-class roots to Washington, D.C., this month as part of a movement trying to change the course of the Republican Party.
Rep. Tyler Clancy, R-Provo, age 27, spoke on July 9 at the fourth “National Conservatism” convention, comprised of political leaders, professors and policy wonks hoping to steer the GOP away from corporate influence and toward a blue-collar populism to advance an “America First” agenda.
“As elected officials, we have more accountability to the people of America rather than companies that try to run this country,” Clancy said during his speech. Republicans are tasked with being a “check on the centralization of power by a few,” Clancy said, whether that be in the federal government or the marketplace.
Concluding the three-day-long event was an address from Ohio Sen. JD Vance, featuring a more culturally aggressive, less economically laissez-faire approach to GOP governance. Less than a week later, Vance was chosen by former President Donald Trump as his vice presidential pick in the 2024 general election and declared, by some, as the new face of the Republican Party.
While Clancy considers himself a limited-government conservative, the up-and-coming state lawmaker believes Vance is representative of an emerging crop of Republican leaders who view policy areas like more family benefits, bringing manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. and regulating “big pharma” as just as essential to conserving the American Dream as pushing for lower taxes on businesses.
“I definitely think you’ll see a shift with the younger generation,” Clancy said in an interview with the Deseret News. “We want to stand up for the working class, we want to make sure that people who are in this country and work hard and play by the rules can feed their families, make sure one medical emergency doesn’t put them into bankruptcy and make sure that we’re balancing all interests, not putting some over others, i.e., Wall Street and massive multi-national corporations.”
An evolving Republican Party
Nearly one hundred years ago, the Republican Party redefined itself in opposition to the New Deal’s tax-and-spend welfare state.
As the de facto party of smaller government, the GOP developed a “strong pro-business constituency” who benefited from lower taxes, fewer regulations and limited government intervention in the economy, said Damon Cann, chair of the political science department at Utah State University and former mayor of North Logan from 2018-2021.
But, according to Cann, Trump’s 2016 ascendancy, propelled by shift in support from white-collar to working class voters, is not without precedent in the Grand Old Party.
“There have been elements of these attitudes and beliefs lying just below the surface in the Republican Party, and I think it’s more that Trump capitalized on them than he created them,” Cann said.
The Great Recession of 2008, the collapsing trust in institutions and the influence of globalization set the stage for a GOP base that was more willing to reject elite economic opinion and international trade agreements in favor of preserving entitlement programs and subsidizing American industries, Cann said.
An example of this change in tone can be seen in Mitt Romney’s prescription in 2008 to encourage the market’s creative destruction by “letting Detroit go bankrupt”, compared to what Cann said was Trump’s message: “I’m going to fight for the lower and middle class workers who are falling as victims of globalization, whose jobs are being outsourced from United States.”
Trump’s new running-mate Vance has stated his support for the former president’s proposed agenda of “broad-based tariffs, especially on goods coming in from China” to “protect American industries from all of the competition.” Vance has introduced new railway safety regulations and has praised the Biden-appointed Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan, known for her aggressive antitrust stance against large tech companies, as “doing a pretty good job.”
Maybe the biggest indicator yet of the GOP’s increasing openness to populist economic policies was the invitation for Sean O’Brien, the president of Teamsters, one of the nation’s largest private sector unions, to speak at the Republican National Convention last week.
Clancy, who has the endorsement of the Teamsters’ local chapter and the operating engineers union in Utah, said he was excited to see organized labor “start to play a role again in Republican politics.”
“Unions are a puzzle piece of our economy and help workers bargain for better wages, better worker safety, health insurance, pensions, etc.,” Clancy said.
Can the GOP be pro-business and pro-worker?
The GOP is unlikely to lose its business constituency even if Republicans continue to flirt with pro-union figures, or feature proposals to increase regulations on “big tech” or revoke China’s favored trading status, because “where else will they go?” Cann said.
“At least at present, the Democratic Party isn’t offering an attractive alternative to Republicans,” Cann said.
But it’s not the change in rhetoric that worries Derek Miller, the president and CEO of Salt Lake Chamber. It’s the prospect of a Republican Party that ceases to prioritize the principles that promote job growth and prevent economic stagnation — the principles, Miller said, that have allowed Utah to build “the most robust and prosperous economy” in the nation by “unleashing the power of free enterprise.”
“We talk about economy, we talk about business, but at the end of the day what we’re really talking about is people,” said Miller, who previously served as chief of staff to former Gov. Gary Herbert. “It’s people who start businesses. It’s people who run businesses. It’s people who make businesses successful. So to that the extent the Republican Party wants to be more focused on people I think that’s a welcome thing.”
As a former staffer in Washington, D.C., and then as the director of Utah’s Department of Commerce and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, Miller said he has seen how tried and true Republican instincts to get government out of business lead to positive impacts for Americans.
Miller said regulations are critical to “protecting the public” and “creating a level playing field for businesses.” But, he added, “I can’t think of a single thing that would jumpstart our national economy more” than getting rid of excessive regulation.
For Clancy, the shift he most wants to see within his party isn’t necessarily toward, or away from, specific free market policies. It’s a shift toward addressing the needs of working families who haven’t traditionally had much access to political representation and bringing “hope to this part of America that’s been left behind.”
“As public servants, we shouldn’t limit ourselves to a religious-type orthodoxy of political leaders in the past,” Clancy said. “It’s more of a call for leaders to really dig in, learn the needs of our community and apply those conservative principles to 21st century problems.”
It’s on nights like these that I’m reminded of the ravine that divides the NBA from all other levels of basketball. This Summer League tilt was sloppy on both sides, and not many fringe players earned an NBA contract tonight, by the looks of it.
This matchup has always been about the number-one pick AJ Dybantsa and the number-two pick Darryn Peterson. Rivals since high school, these two are in an eternal struggle for the designation of being “number-one”. They wanted to be the best in their high school class. They wanted to be the first off the board in the NBA Draft. Rest assured, these two will be battling for Rookie of the Year honors by the season’s end.
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Both stars were fully aware of the magnitude of this game, and both wanted to be the first to strike in the Thomas and Mack Center.
Dybantsa took his first touch all the way to the basket and forced up an off-kilter shot that missed everything.
Peterson took the ball the other way and forced up a top-of-the-key three-pointer that missed badly.
Dybantsa quickly picked up the slack, flipping an under-and-around lay-in and following that up with a good leading bounce pass through traffic to find a cutting teammate.
From there, the 1-2 combo settled in and let the game flow around them.
For the first time in a Utah Jazz uniform, Darryn Peterson walked among mortal men as a commoner. He had a very slow start in his Las Vegas debut, opening the night 0-for-3 from the floor and even whiffing on his first all-or-nothing foul shot. His steps were hurried, and he stood unstable before his first trip to the bench. Not quite so infallible outside of the mountain air in Salt Lake City.
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AJ claimed the first quarter, dicing up the defense with fadeaways, dribble chains, and this vicious, inhumane slam that will dominate your social media feed for the next day or so.
Washington set the tone for some — should we say physical — defense out on the perimeter, and the officials gave the Wizards liberty to reside in Peterson’s chest for the majority of the game. The number-two pick couldn’t get himself into a rhythm as he’d step out of bounds, dribble off his foot, and sputter under the heat of the Wizards’ aggressive double-team scheme.
They were incredibly handsy from end to end, frustrating Jazz ball handlers as the whistles piled up at the other end.
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AJ Dybantsa lives at the foul stripe — that’s his superpower — and he has since his days at BYU, where he led the nation in foul shots taken per game. Perfectly within his idiom, Dybantsa was 6-of-7 from the foul stripe — keeping in mind the experimental do-or-die free throw rule. Considering how much more physical the Wizards played at the defensive end, it’s a mystery how the Wizards managed to reside in the comfort of the bonus for the entire first half.
Neither player was efficient from the floor, but Dybantsa won the first half of this marquee matchup.
Dybantsa finished the first half with 19 points on 4-of-12 shooting.
Peterson lagged behind with 11 points on 3-of-9 shooting and a pair of dimes.
The lead shrank to single digits, and what appeared to be a blowout in the first half — Washington led by as much as 20 — rapidly drew tighter in the second half. It had become a two-possession game before the clock hit 0:00 in the third quarter.
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Both stars lived up to the bill in this one, clearly displaying their individual talents despite their efficiency not leaping off the box score.
Peterson’s tendency to cough up possession has to get straightened out. He’ll be a target for his whole career, so learning to handle and exploit on-ball pressure will be critical to maximize his effectiveness and keep his teammates involved.
Cody Williams stole the show a bit for the Jazz, despite a rocky opening to the night. Though he struggled to stop Dybantsa on the defensive end, he notched 16 points on great efficiency (6-11, 2-3 3PT) plus 5 rebounds. He’s not a ball-handler, despite the Jazz’s wishes, but thrived on a newly added stepback mid-range jumper tonight.
Dybantsa had a strong night, finishing with 27 points on 7-for-18 shooting, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals.
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The Wizards ultimately won this game behind the strength of their NBA guys, Tre Johnson and Will Reily, who combined for 41 to pair with Dybantsa’s 27. They also strongly benefited from Jamir Watkins, Darryn Peterson’s assignment fouling a grand total of 9 times (not a typo).
Peterson likewise fouled 9 times in this one, an ugly blemish on what was an unsteady night for the rookie. He finished with 24 points on 6-18 shooting and 2-7 from three-point land (thanks to a bank-shot heave at the final horn). Dybantsa will be crowned the winner of this head-to-head with Peterson thanks to better highlights and the team win, but neither player dominated, despite what X will likely tell you.
Washington defeats Utah with a final score of 92-88.
Calvin Barrett is the Associate Editor for SLC Dunk. Originally from Springville, Utah, he currently lives in Japan and has covered the NBA and college athletics since 2024.
LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — The man arrested for murder in the 2006 death of his wife at a Utah national park left behind a suicide note in his Las Vegas jail cell, according to a police report.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police released a public report on the death of David Vander Meer, 49, who was in custody on an out-of-state warrant.
The Washington County District Attorney’s Office said in an affidavit that Vander Meer, a former youth pastor, was a suspect in the death of his then-wife, 28-year-old Bernadette Vander Meer, 20 years ago.
Bernadette fell to her death at Angels Landing in Zion National Park. Prosecutors said in their affidavit that they received new information implicating David, alleing that he began having a close relationship with a young girl when she was 14 and he was her youth pastor.
A fugitive task force took Vander Meer into custody in Summerlin, according to an arrest report, and he was booked into Clark County Detention Center on June 22.
In the report on his death, LVMPD said a corrections officer was conducting visual checks at about 9:30 p.m. June 24 when he noticed Vander Meer lying face down on the ground and unresponsive.
Several sections are redacted, but police wrote that the officer performed chest compressions until medical personnel arrived. Vander Meer was taken to UMC, where he was pronounced dead just after 2:36 a.m. June 25.
Investigators wrote that because of “the nature of his case,” Vander Meer was placed into protective custody. He was seen sitting upright and awake at 9 p.m., and he had no known medical conditions. He also did not mention being suicidal during a mental health screening.
Inside the cell, police wrote that Vander Meer “left a hand written suicide letter and a hand written will in his cell which has been photographed and impounded.” The following paragraph of the report was redacted, and no further details on Vander Meer’s death were disclosed.
The Clark County Coroner’s Office has not yet released its official rulings on his cause and manner of death.
Bernadette’s parents, Richard and Laura Gudenkauf, told News 3 they long suspected Vander Meer played a role in her death.
“Because of the girlfriend,” said Laura. “I found insurance policies months later that he had, lots of them.”
It has been a long time since the Jazz last played a meaningful game I desperately wanted them to win, and it is unhealthy how excited I am for this matchup. After a solid three games in the SLC Summer League, the Jazz head south to Las Vegas, and as hot as the desert sun is sure to be outside, on the court, the Thursday night primetime game featuring the top two picks in the draft will be much hotter.
How to Watch the Las Vegas Summer League?
Who: Utah Jazz vs Washington Wizards
When: Thursday, July 9, 2026 | 7:00 MT
Where: Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, NV
How to watch: ESPN, Jazz+
Darryn Peterson and AJ Dybantsa
Summer league games do not matter in the record books, but this game is a statement-making opportunity for both AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson. Given the historical nature of this draft class, especially at the top, there is some real juice to this game that is atypical of most Summer League games. AJ has the chance to silence the noise that has swelled after Darryn’s remarkable performances in the SLC Summer League. Meanwhile, Darryn has the chance to ratchet up the noise and take the NBA world by storm with another solid performance against the Wizards. Can you imagine the narratives if Darryn were to come out and dominate AJ as he has through high school and college? In the words of the great Charles Barkley, I have two words for you… Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa, must-see TV.
Ace Bailey looked really impressive in his 2.5 quarters of play in Salt Lake before missing games with back spasms. It is unknown whether or not he will be ready to go for the Vegas opener, but if he is available, he will probably be the one checking AJ Dybantsa on defense. His combination of length and athleticism could not only make things difficult for AJ on the defensive end but also expose his lackadaisical defense on the offensive end. If Ace is able to go, he will be looking to show the Jazz and the NBA that he is ready to take a leap in year two.
Which Jazz Big Man Will Stand Out?
Which big man will step up this game? In Game 1, we saw a lot of Kylor Kelley, who was a little less than impressive. Against Memphis, Jaxon Kohler, the Utah native, showed up and showed out against Cam Boozer. In game three, although the number of NBA-level players was few and far between, Jonas Aidoo stole the show with his rebounding and ability to play his role. Will we see one of those same three guys seize their opportunity, or will another guy like Micah Handlogten or Eric Dixon steal the show? We saw how vital a big that can roll and catch passes is for Darryn Peterson as a lead guard, playmaking-wise. It will be interesting to see who steps up to the plate to relieve pressure when he is blitzed and double-teamed.
SIDE NOTE: Adam Silver is LAME
No one should ASPIRE to be as boring as Adam Silver. After much excitement was made about Keyonte George making his unofficial coaching debut on Thursday night, according to Sarah Todd, the league has nixed that excitement and won’t allow Keyonte to be coaching on the sideline because who knows why…? I guess they were worried about the Jazz circumventing the salary cap to pay Keyonte or something. Anyways, I guess Will Hardy’s coaching TREE will have to wait for more branches to grow. Adam Silver remains evil in my book.
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