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SALT LAKE CITY — Scores of elected Republicans in Utah urged Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in a letter to run for president last fall after he outperformed conservative candidates in the midterm elections.

At the time, DeSantis was a rising star in the Republican Party, and the presumed favorite for conservatives seeking an alternative to former President Donald Trump on the Republican side in 2024. Although Trump has increased his polling lead over DeSantis in recent months, the governor is still the most likely non-Trump candidate in a growing field.

With DeSantis officially joining the campaign earlier this week, KSL.com spoke with several Utah politicians who signed the letter asking him to run about how they feel about the GOP primary at this early stage.

Picking a winner

Trump continues to maintain a strong hold on the base of the Republican Party, but after losing the White House and Senate in 2020, many Republicans seem to prioritize nominating a candidate who can win over more independent and swing voters in 2024. In today’s closely divided political climate, any general presidential election is likely to be a toss-up, but independent voters remain unsatisfied with both Trump and President Joe Biden, and could be swayed by an alternative GOP nominee.

Rather than a repudiation of Trump, several signees of the letter said they wanted DeSantis in the race to give voters the chance to pick the best candidate, with winning the presidency the ultimate goal.

Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Woods Cross, who helped organize the letter, said Trump went against the grain on some traditional conservative principles, such as being pro-family and fiscally responsible.

“Republicans have to be more than just anti-Biden,” he said, “and I do think that the Republican Party, since Trump has kind of had an identity crisis — I mean, what is it that we stand for? What is it that we believe and what are we advocating for the future of the country? It’s easy to be against things, but that only gets you so far.”

With his national profile and name recognition, DeSantis is well-positioned to share that message, though Weiler said he will wait to see how the primary plays out before deciding who to support.

Republicans have to be more than just anti-Biden and I do think that the Republican Party since Trump has kind of had an identity crisis.

–Todd Weiler

Picking an electable candidate was key for several other politicians who wanted to see DeSantis join the race.

“I want to win,” said Rep. Paul Cutler, R-Centerville. “I want to improve things for our country. And while President Trump had some really good policies, I don’t think he can win, so I think we need an alternative. (DeSantis) isn’t the only good candidate, there are a number of really good candidates, any of which could help us move in the right direction compared to the Biden administration, which is going in the wrong direction.”

In a statement to KSL.com, Sen. Mike Kennedy, R-Alpine, said he “didn’t support the rhetoric in the letter attacking Trump” but wants to move on from President Joe Biden.

“Joe Biden’s failed leadership and extreme policies have divided our nation and held us back,” he said. “But we won’t settle for America last. It’s time to prioritize working families and put them first. … I stand for a diverse primary, brimming with innovative ideas to uplift those affected by Biden’s failures and inflation. Together, let’s unite, win in November, and reclaim our great nation.”

Executive experience

When it comes to Trump challengers, some of the politicians said they see his experience as governor as something that will help him stand out from the pack. Although on a smaller scale, leading a state could translate better to being an effective president than experience as a lawmaker.

Similarly, Trump’s prior experience in business may have created some stumbling blocks once he arrived in office.

“Governors, because they’ve been the head of an executive branch and they’ve been ‘the guy’ instead of one of the hundreds of men and women, have an advantage,” Weiler said. “I think Trump would be a very different candidate had he been a governor. Instead, he worked for his family business for his entire career, where he could kind of make up the rules because he was Donald Trump. That works in a family business; it doesn’t work in the government.”

I think anyone who’s going to be successful has to understand and emulate some of that frustration that exists throughout our country right now. But what I’d like to see is someone that can then take that sentiment and then build those bridges and bring people back together.

–Robert Spendlove

As a legislator, Rep. Robert Spendlove, R-Sandy, said he has had to work on a lot of different policy areas that fall outside his areas of expertise. That’s even more pronounced for governors or presidents, who not only need to lead out on policy but need to corral different agencies across various jurisdictions to get things done.

“The Colorado River is the perfect example of that,” he said. “Everyone has a valid claim on that water, whether it’s water for a homeowner in Phoenix or a farmer in California. … So, how do we prioritize these different uses? How do we work with everyone and acknowledge that we just don’t have enough as a resource? We need to develop a solution that everyone can work with.”

Trump rode a wave of populism to victory in 2016, fueled in part by frustration at the political establishment, a rejection of the “traditional way of doing things,” he added.

“I think anyone who’s going to be successful has to understand and emulate some of that frustration that exists throughout our country right now. But what I’d like to see is someone that can then take that sentiment and then build those bridges and bring people back together,” Spendlove said.

“I just want a good, solid individual that has governing experience and has the ability to bring the country together and lead,” said Utah Senate Majority Leader Evan Vickers, R-Cedar City. “I feel that Gov. DeSantis has those qualities and would be able to do that.”

Looking ahead

The first state primary won’t be held until February, but the Republican field is already a crowded one. In addition to Trump and DeSantis, Sen. Tim Scott, R-South Carolina; former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley; former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson; conservative radio personality Larry Elder; and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy have officially declared, among others.

Former Vice President Mike Pence, Trump’s two-time running mate, is expected to join the race soon.

DeSantis and Pence have already made overtures to Utah voters. DeSantis headlined the Utah Republican Party convention last month, and Pence met with political and state leaders in Salt Lake City a week later.

Rep. Ray Ward, R-Bountiful, said he was grateful DeSantis chose to visit Utah and was impressed with his message during the convention, saying the governor was “well-organized” and made a good case highlighting the priorities he has helped pass into law in Florida.

“To me, those are the kinds of things that I think make a good candidate and a good president,” he said.

Ward said he’s excited overall to have several candidates in the race, to give voters options to choose from.

“Now’s the time for everybody to listen,” he said.

Vickers acknowledged that today’s political process — in which “you’ve got to be pretty dang mean to win anything” — might disadvantage Pence, and he has “a lot of admiration for him and his leadership style and the type of quality person he is.”

“He is really a gentleman,” he said. “He has good principles, values and a good religious-based belief system. And he sincerely wants to do what’s best for the country.”

Most of the politicians said they would plan to support the eventual GOP nominee regardless, although they declined to commit to any one candidate.

“I plan to continue that,” Weiler said, when asked if he would vote Republican. “I’m a Republican through and through, and I traditionally always vote for the Republican candidate.”

“At the end of the day, I’m going to support the Republican candidate, whoever that ends up being,” Vickers said. “But, I think that it is time for President Trump to allow some new leadership to emerge and come to the forefront and be able to guide not only the Republican Party but guide the country.”

Utah voters seem split at the moment. A recent Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll found 21% of respondents said they would vote for Trump if the election was held today, while 19% chose DeSantis. Former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney garnered 11%, while 8% backed Haley, 6% said Pence and 4% chose Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who has said he won’t run.

Nine percent preferred another candidate, and another 22% were undecided.

Utah will hold its Republican presidential caucuses on March 5, 2024.

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