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SALT LAKE CITY — You’d be hard-pressed to seek out somebody who wasn’t profoundly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. However the chaos of the previous few years has had a definite impact on practically everybody.
For first-time state Rep. Trevor Lee, R-Layton, the pandemic — or extra particularly, Utah’s response to the pandemic — is what prompted him to launch his marketing campaign for the Utah Legislature.
Lee instructed KSL.com he watched his stepdaughter undergo faculty through the pandemic, and was involved with how Utah dealt with training and different points on the time.
“I felt prefer it was numerous authorities overreach into our lives throughout COVID-19,” he stated. “A number of that was fairly upsetting for me. I had numerous household and associates who misplaced their jobs, or they have been compelled out of it. Or folks that have been compelled to do issues that they did not consider, when it got here to their bodily autonomy and vaccines. And that stuff actually upset me.”
Lee stated he started to attend committee hearings on the Capitol and tried to get neighbors extra concerned within the course of. He felt his efforts weren’t sufficient, although, and finally determined the one method to make a distinction was to run for workplace.
“I actually wished to ensure that the place that I’ve grown up stays pink,” he stated. “I feel Utah’s a implausible place for a cause, and I do not need us to show right into a state like California that is simply not accountable or has numerous issues and points which might be self-imposed. I need to do the whole lot in my energy to ensure that my youngsters can develop up in a spot that I felt like was wonderful. Let’s simply preserve Utah, Utah.”
As one of many first-time Republican lawmakers elected because the state authorised new redistricting maps, Lee is emblematic of a brand new model of hard-line conservatives within the Utah Home of Representatives. Even earlier than his election, Lee made headlines for utilizing a non-public Twitter account to unfold 2020 election conspiracies, share false COVID-19 info and disparage the LGBTQ neighborhood.
Though he by no means apologized for the remarks, the account was taken offline final 12 months and Lee issued an announcement on Fb saying he “had no clue” an anti-transgender slur was “so disparaging,” promising to not use the phrase once more.
Moderately than being a pretend “burner” account, Lee stated the account was merely meant to be a non-public approach for him to precise his beliefs to his shut family and friends. He criticized protection of his feedback, saying the media is intent on stirring up controversy.
“I wasn’t attempting to cover something, however when it turns into a distraction … I do not need that stuff to get in the best way of me being an efficient legislator. So therefore the deletion of the account,” he stated. “However I do not apologize for issues I’ve stated. I do not bear sick will towards anybody and I am open to good concepts from either side of the aisle. And the the truth that we dwell in a world the place you are canceled for issues that you just say, I feel is totally improper.”
Whereas Lee stated there are some points he will not budge on, he nonetheless welcomes dialogue along with his political opponents.
“One factor that all of us agree on is we’re not unhealthy folks, and I do not suppose the other facet is unhealthy both,” he stated. “However I want there was a greater perspective from everybody that all of us need the identical factor, all of us need good issues for everybody, which is simply to be pleased.”
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Bridger Beal-Cvetko covers Utah politics, Salt Lake County communities and breaking information for KSL.com. He’s a graduate of Utah Valley College.
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