For demented political nerds like us, Christmas came early last week. The midterm elections were fun to watch. Democrats took a beating in U.S. Senate and House races, and Republicans also captured additional governors’ mansions and statehouses across the country.
Were the local results positive or negative for Utah Republicans and Democrats?
Pignanelli: "No part of the education of a politician is more indispensable than the fighting of elections." — Winston Churchill
As a native Italian-Irish Catholic Utahn, I learned the path to happiness is to avoid needless frustration and relish the positive elements that abound in our state. (Of course, the beverages my faith allows me to imbibe enhance this process.)
Pundits are proclaiming local Democrats suffered last week. I disagree and submit a positive analysis. Because of an unpopular president and hated federal policies, some experts predicted an electoral tragedy for the minority party — a loss of legislators, defeats in county offices and a walloping in the 4th Congressional District. But Democrats waged a ground game to increase voter registration and motivate supporters. As a result, Democrats netted a legislative seat, maintained their influence in Salt Lake County and caused a close match in the Love/Owens contest.
Utah Republicans assisted their opponents by playing nice and not bombarding voters with ads linking local Democrats to “Obama, Reid & Pelosi.” Such mischief could have inflicted real devastation.
Equally important, most Utahns rejected the proposed constitutional amendment to allow one party domination of the State Tax Commission. This was a clear statement citizens demand a bipartisan or at least diverse approach in deliberations.
A positive outlook suggests the 2014 election results could have been much worse for Utah Democrats.
Webb: Utah Republicans won the big prize, picking up a congressional seat held for many years by Democrat Jim Matheson. But it was a far tougher campaign than expected. Beyond that loss, Utah Democrats held their own and even picked up a seat in the Legislature. The national Republican sweep of near-historic proportions, up and down the ballot, did not help Utah Republicans add to their dominance in local races. Below the congressional level, it was mostly a status quo election in Utah. Democrats showed they can still win swing districts, especially in Salt Lake County.
Utah certainly remains a solid Republican state (the eighth most Republican state in the country based on past election results). However, the Utah Republican Party has won so often without much effort that it has become flabbier than the Utah Democratic Party. The Democrats raised a lot of money, put together an effective ground game, effectively targeted legislative and local races, and performed better than expected in a very difficult political environment for Democrats.
What are the lessons of the election?
Pignanelli: The election of Brad King in eastern Utah is another signal to the left wing that moderate Democrats who reject unappealing federal policies can get elected in Utah. Outgoing Congressman Jim Matheson provided a similar case study for seven election cycles. Is anyone listening?
Webb: Nationally, the extremes were big losers. Tea party candidates lost all of their Senate primary races against more mainstream candidates. On the other side, environmental groups spent tens of millions of dollars on losing Democratic candidates. Voters rejected government expansion, but they also voted against gridlock and dysfunction. Republicans don’t have 60 votes in the Senate, and they don’t control the presidency. Solving the nation’s big problems will require cooperation and compromise.
How meaningful are the new opportunities for Utah members of Congress?
Pignanelli and Webb: Utahns can be proud the state will be punching well above its weight in Washington, D.C. Sen. Orrin Hatch will be president pro tem and will chair the all-important Finance Committee — positions of power and influence. Hatch will be well-situated to get things done, and we expect he will take a bipartisan approach to problem solving.
Rep. Rob Bishop is expected to chair the House Natural Resources Committee, which is very important for Utah. His Public Lands Initiative, designed to help resolve some longstanding public lands disputes in Utah, will get a nice boost. Rep. Jason Chaffetz may win the chairmanship of Government Oversight, making him a larger force in the Capitol. Sen. Mike Lee will help lead policy direction in the Senate GOP caucus, especially on anti-poverty programs and regulatory overreach. Rep. Chris Stewart will continue to serve on the powerful House Appropriations Committee and may be awarded a position on House Financial Services — important to Utah.
Newly elected Mia Love will enjoy a bully pulpit as the first black Republican woman in the House. GOP operatives know they cannot be competitive in future presidential and congressional races without the ability to reach women, minorities and young professionals. Love covers all three demographics and Utahns can expect to see a lot of her in the news.
Republican LaVarr Webb is a political consultant and lobbyist. Previously he was policy deputy to Gov. Mike Leavitt and Deseret News managing editor. Email: lwebb@exoro.com. Democrat Frank Pignanelli is a Salt Lake attorney, lobbyist and political adviser. Pignanelli served 10 years in the Utah House of Representatives, six years as minority leader. His spouse, D’Arcy Dixon Pignanelli, is a state tax commissioner. Email: frankp@xmission.com.