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Utah GOP primary voters pick mainstream conservatives over far-right convention winners

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Utah GOP primary voters pick mainstream conservatives over far-right convention winners


The time period “RINO” (Republican in identify solely) is slung round ceaselessly by Republican occasion die-hards as an insult towards candidates who stray from the occasion orthodoxy or are deemed not conservative sufficient on points. Sen. Mitt Romney is a frequent goal of the taunt.

Tuesday’s major elections highlighted a divide between that activist base and extra rank-and-file GOP voters. A number of right-wing candidates who appealed to the extra MAGA members of the occasion misplaced on the polls, typically to RINO occasion apostates.

Contemplate congressional candidates Andrew Badger and Chris Herrod, who emerged from the state GOP conference with a majority of assist from delegates, a lot of whom branded incumbents Blake Moore and John Curtis as RINOs. Delegate assist didn’t translate into votes on the poll field, nonetheless.

Badger acquired 59% of the vote on the conference, however his marketing campaign struggled to realize a foothold amongst major voters. The identical goes for Herrod, who acquired 54% on the conference. Each obtained lower than 30% within the major.

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A part of these outcomes may very well be the issue of defeating an incumbent member of Congress. However that doesn’t clarify an identical phenomenon on Tuesday that noticed Republican legislative and college board candidates who earned a spot within the major courtesy of conference delegates additionally dropping on the polls.

Conventions and petition paths to the poll

GOP Rep. Ray Ward can be a lame-duck proper now if not for SB54, the regulation which permits candidates to petition their method into the first. Lyle Mason acquired 62% of the conference vote, which might have given him the nomination outright within the pre-SB54 world. However Ward submitted the required 1,000 signatures and simply defeated Mason within the major election by 20 factors.

(Courtesy | Jeff Stenquist) Rep. Jeff Stenquist would have been bumped out of the election if it weren’t for the signature path to the poll.

The identical goes for Draper’s HD46 major. Conference favourite Carolyn Phippen would have ended Jeff Stenquist’s legislative profession after receiving 63% on the conference. Stenquist gathered signatures and appears to have eked out a win on Tuesday.

Mason and Phippen appealed to delegates as a result of their political leanings had been to the correct of the incumbents they had been making an attempt to unseat. Mason is on the board of the right-wing mother and father’ rights group Utah Dad and mom United. His daughter, Nicole, is the group’s president. Phippen’s marketing campaign was backed by right-wing favorites former Rep. Kim Coleman and former Home Speaker Greg Hughes.

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Tuesday’s outcomes shouldn’t be seen as rejecting the right-wing MAGA crowd in favor of the established order. As an alternative, says BYU political scientist Adam Brown, GOP voters picked mainstream conservatism over a far-right method.

“A sample we’ve seen for a very long time is far-right candidates get extra assist at conference than in primaries,” Brown says. “Their intense taste of politics isn’t palatable to a broader constituency.”

There are many examples to assist Brown’s argument. In 2018, state Sen. Mike Kennedy was the winner on the GOP conference, however Romney soundly defeated him by greater than 40 factors within the major. In 2016, Jonathan Johnson defeated Gary Herbert on the Republican conference, solely to see Herbert race previous him for a simple win within the major.

Brown says that doesn’t imply a reasonable Republican will at all times win a major election over a extra right-wing opponent. However, on common, they do higher in a major than on the conference. He factors to Mike Lee’s efficiency this yr. Lee is way extra conservative than his opponents Becky Edwards and Ally Isom. Lee obtained 71% on the conference however is on tempo to win the first with about 62% of the vote.

“That’s nonetheless a strong win, but additionally an indicator that extra mainstream major voters had been much less smitten by him than the extra excessive voters who go to conference,” Brown mentioned.

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Voters give mainstream conservatives an edge

On the entire, extra mainstream conservative candidates carried out a lot better in Tuesday’s major.

Senate Majority Whip Ann Millner solely obtained 50% in opposition to Doug Durbano at conference, however secured a simple 20-point win on Tuesday.

Sen. Jerry Stevenson was compelled right into a major in opposition to Betty Younger after receiving simply 53% of conference delegates. Main voters gave the veteran incumbent greater than 62% within the major.

Senate Majority Chief Evan Vickers solely acquired 57% of delegates on the conference, forcing him right into a major in opposition to Patrick Larson. Vickers gained that matchup simply with greater than 70% on Tuesday.

Ronald Mortensen defeated incumbent Rep. Melissa Garff Ballard on the Davis County conference with 57% of the vote, advancing him to the first election. He might solely muster 35% in Tuesday’s major election.

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Utah County Republican delegates despatched Brandon Beckham to the first poll in opposition to Sen. Keith Grover with 47% of the vote, despite the fact that Beckham is dealing with a felony forcible sexual assault cost. On Tuesday, Grover reeled in almost 70% assist.

It was the identical story within the pair of major elections for the state faculty board. Kim Del Grosso, the far-right candidate who had earned the endorsement of Sen. Mike Lee, gained the assist of 76% of delegates at conference however misplaced the first election to Cindy Davis. She conceded the race on Thursday. Within the different major, Melanie Mortensen gained the conference vote with 56% over Leann Wooden, however Wooden held a 1,200 vote lead after Tuesday’s election.

The hassle to finish the signature route

Republican Celebration activists have tried dismantling SB54 virtually from the second lawmakers accredited it in 2014. Count on the calls to ditch the signature path to the poll to develop even louder after so many candidates who gained the favor of delegates didn’t get via the first election.

Amongst these calling for the Utah Legislature to repeal SB54 is Salt Lake County GOP Chair Chris Null.

“We name ourselves Republicans as a result of authorities works greatest when our elected officers symbolize the individuals. We elect delegates from amongst our neighbors who then vet the candidates. SB54 skips the vetting course of in favor of signature gathering,” Null mentioned. “The conference system will end in a candidate representing our ideas whereas SB54 will produce a candidate who should buy signatures, actually shopping for a spot on the poll.”

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It’s not clear there’s sufficient assist within the Republican-dominated legislature to dispose of the signature-gathering path to the poll. Gov. Spencer Cox says he considers the difficulty resolved.

“We’ve had these fights again and again now for seven or eight years. It appears like an eternity,” Cox mentioned throughout a current information convention. “The Legislature has proven again and again they’re not keen to maneuver on that, and neither am I.”

Cox added he wouldn’t be prone to assist a invoice to repeal SB54 if one had been to cross his desk.



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Utah hosted international standout Veniamin Abosi on official visit

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Utah hosted international standout Veniamin Abosi on official visit


The Utah Utes basketball program is abuzz with excitement as they hosted highly-touted international prospect Veniamin Abosi on an official visit. Abosi, a standout player known for his athleticism and versatility in Greece, has garnered significant attention from top programs across the country. His visit to Utah is a testament to the Utes’ recruiting efforts and their aim to build a competitive team for the upcoming seasons.

Abosi’s journey to this point has been impressive. Standing at 6-foot-6 with a wingspan that allows him to play multiple positions effectively, he has shown remarkable skills both offensively and defensively. His ability to shoot from beyond the arc, drive to the basket, and his defensive prowess make him a highly sought-after recruit. Abosi’s career has been marked by numerous accolades, including leading his team to championships and earning MVP honors at several tournaments. He played for the Olympiacos U18 team during the Euroleague Basketball Adidas Next Generation Tournament earlier this year, which is the annual tournament that features the top U18 clubs in Europe.

For the Utes, landing a player of Abosi’s caliber could be a game changer. The program, which has a storied history in college basketball, will be looking to re-establish itself as a dominant force in the Big 12 Conference. Smith is known for his ability to develop talent and build cohesive teams, and has been at the forefront of this recruitment effort. His vision for the Utes involves a fast-paced, high-energy style of play that would suit Abosi’s strengths perfectly.

During his visit, Abosi had the opportunity to tour the campus and get a feel for the university’s facilities. He also spent time getting a sense of the team culture that Smith has cultivated. The Utes’ state-of-the-art training facilities and the passionate fan base were highlights of the visit, giving Abosi a glimpse of the support he would receive if he chose to commit to the Utes. 

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One of the key moments of the visit was a meeting with the coaching staff, where they discussed Abosi’s potential role on the team and how he fits into their long-term plans. Smith reportedly emphasized the development opportunities at Utah, not just on the court but also in terms of personal growth and academic success. The Utes’ recent success in developing players and helping them reach their professional aspirations was a significant talking point.

As Abosi considers his options, the Utah Utes remain hopeful that their efforts will pay off. Abosi would not only bolster their starting five but also send a strong message to other top recruits about the Runnin Utes’ direction and ambition.



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USU launches bold fundraising campaign to keep place in college sports

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USU launches bold fundraising campaign to keep place in college sports


It was clear almost immediately that Utah State athletic director Diana Sabau is on a mission.

Behind the friendly smile that was emblazoned across her face as she greeted Aggie alumni and chatted with coaches and student-athletes Thursday night at USU’s Bastian Agricultural Center in South Jordan, there was a steely determination. One that almost toed the line of desperation.

That may be what is needed in an ever-changing world of collegiate sports, though. A world that the Aggies boldly declared Thursday night that they are intent to remain a viable part of.

Utah State announced a new fundraising campaign for Aggie athletics — the ‘Reach and Rise’ Fundraising Campaign — which is USU’s first-ever comprehensive capital campaign and the largest and most ambitious fundraising effort in the history of the university.

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All told, USU hopes to raise $125 million over the next five years, with $20 million already raised thanks to a pair of anonymous $10 million donations.

It is — for lack of a better descriptor — a fundraiser for the survival of Aggie athletics as presently constituted.

“If we don’t take this moment right now, if we don’t invest in our ‘Reach and Rise’ campaign, Utah State athletics will not be able to keep up with the changing times, with where intercollegiate athletics is going,” Sabau said. “We are already behind with most of our peers in the Mountain West. When you look at Utah State and the number of investors, contributors and donors to our athletic department, we are second from the bottom in the MWC with number of contributors. We must grow that base.”

She continued: “…. We need to do more (so we can provide a) new field for our women’s soccer players, a new locker room for our men’s basketball players or frankly modernizing a great football stadium. Shining it a little bit to make it the gem of Logan so that everyone can be proud and we can have the best competitively.”

Chris Samuels, Deseret News

The proposed investment in Aggie athletics is for the benefit of the entire university, president Elizabeth Cantwell said.

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“Athletics plays this critical role in elevating all of USU,” she noted.

Added Sabau: “I deeply believe that athletics is the lifeblood of a university. It creates memories. It creates legacies within families. Gives you purpose and is a gathering place, a point of pride.”

The significance of the proposed investment was not lost on USU coaches or student-athletes.

“I think it is so powerful,” men’s basketball coach Jerrod Calhoun said. “It shows a huge commitment, to not only men’s basketball (but) to all of our sports team. It is one big family there. With so many things changing I think fundraising drives a lot of this. And so your donor base, your alums, you have to be able to reach people who may have not been given. These are what these events are about and really bring awareness to Utah State athletics and I thought they’ve done a masterful job.”

Said rising sophomore Mason Falslev, one of Calhoun’s more recognizable players and a Cache Valley native: “I didn’t really know about all this, about the number, but that is a lot of money and can make a huge difference in a lot of our lives. Especially in football and basketball, we appreciate it. We love being Aggies and that extra money will do a lot for us.”

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Freshman guard Mason Falslev looks to pass during the Aggies’ exhibition game against Montana State Billings on Nov. 3 at the Spectrum in Logan. (Jeff Hunter) | Jeff Hunter, Associated Press

The official purpose behind the $125 million fundraising campaign is three-fold:

  • To redefine the student-athlete experience by providing tools for success beyond their athletic careers.
  • To raise the standard of excellence with a renewed commitment to increase funding for recruiting and retaining student-athletes and staff, along with facility enhancements.
  • To change lives through education by funding student-athlete scholarships.

All of which, Sabau said, boils down to providing the means necessary for Utah State to compete for and win championships.

“We are always going to maximize and not really complain, but the reality is that the amount of success we are looking to achieve is not sustainable in the current conditions,” USU women’s soccer coach Manny Martins said.

Bold. Ambitious. Brazen. Lofty. However USU’s ‘Reach and Rise’ fundraising campaign is viewed, almost all are in agreement — Utah State athletics won’t survive in the increasingly costly collegiate sports world without it.

“It is necessary in today’s day and age,” Utah State starting quarterback Spencer Petras said. “I think it is great. It is empowering and makes you feel cared for as a student-athlete. Who knows how much we will raise, but that is a great goal. I don’t know any other way to phrase it — we want to compete at the highest level and these are the things we need to do in order to do that.”



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NBA Trade Rumors: Utah Jazz expected to have interest in Tobias Harris

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NBA Trade Rumors: Utah Jazz expected to have interest in Tobias Harris


According to Chris B. Haynes, the Utah Jazz are expected to be interested in Tobias Harris in free agency. You can watch Haynes’s video mentioning that interest below.

Haynes mentions the following teams that will be interested in Harris: Utah, Detroit, San Antonio, Dallas, and New Orleans.

The question is, how much interest will these teams show? Even if the Jazz have interest, they may or may not have the cap space this summer to sign him if they’re re-negotiating Lauri Markkanen. That said, Harris has been underwhelming in his role in Philadelphia, and it’s possible he could be had for a bargain. If the Jazz are looking for cheap deals, this could possibly be a fit. Considering that so many teams are looking into signing him, the price may increase if this turns into a bidding war.

If the Jazz lose out on Harris, that may be for the best. Utah has three players coming into their second season and more coming in this year’s draft. Will they prioritize cheap veterans over developing young talent this season?

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