A recent Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll shows 6 out of 10 Utah voters feel neither of the major parties represents them. This response is outpacing voters across America in support of a third party. Could a third party emerge as the dominant force in Utah politics?
Cowley: Utahns are proud to be a “peculiar people,” not conforming to national norms. Historically, they have rewarded third-party candidates, mostly in protest of the mainstream options. Utah voters put a premium on certain values, such as civility, character and fiscal responsibility.
When the standard-bearers for the predominant parties are Trump and Mamdani, it’s understandable that Utah voters aren’t thrilled with their choices. It is likely that respondents to this survey are expressing their disapproval of modern-day party leaders more than they are truly considering third-party alternatives.
Establishing a viable third party has been tried many times and failed. Independent American has the third-largest share of registered Utah voters, but I would argue it has less to do with support for their platform and more to do with the sentiment their name evokes. The Utah Forward Party has received attention as of late, with Sen. Thatcher switching parties, but it only boasts 0.15% of registered Utah voters.
It’s a nice sentiment that many voters feel they are free thinkers rather than towing a party line, but the reality is any third party has a very steep hill to climb. Their best chance for success is recruiting new voters, rather than getting existing voters to switch parties — meaning it would take a generation or more to really take hold. As long as the state remains well-managed, Republican dominance in Utah will prevail for the foreseeable future.
Pignanelli: “What most people feel has been progress and good things, have been brought about by the existence of third parties.” — Peter Camejo
Utahns are polite and decent, but can be persnickety voters. This explains a tradition of promoting nonmainstream political parties. We all know of the People’s and Liberal parties, which were disbanded as statehood approached. In the early 20th century, the Socialist and American parties boasted of hundreds of elected officials in Utah.
In the 1912 presidential election, Republican Utahns cast ballots for Howard Taft (37.46%), Democrat Woodrow Wilson (32.55%), Progressive Theodore Roosevelt (21.51%), and Socialist Eugene Debs (8.03%).
The 1992 results were especially telling: Republican President George H. W. Bush (43.36%), Independent Ross Perot (27.34%), and Democrat Gov. Bill Clinton (24.65%). Some pundits swear Clinton never forgave the Beehive State for that insult.
Over 20% of Utahns supported Libertarian Gary Johnson in polls conducted in August 2016. This led to the ultimate result of Donald Trump (45.54%), Hillary Clinton (27.46%), and an independent Evan McMullin (21.54%).
Traditionally, it was difficult for nonmajor parties to gain traction, but these are not traditional times. The once-impossible barriers can now be overcome by robust internet activities. The dynamics that created — and ended parties — throughout our country and state’s history exist today.
An outside group accused Ben McAdams, candidate for Congressional District 1, of accepting hundreds of thousands from pro-Israel groups, then later revised the allegation to a $5,000 contribution made six years ago (reported by Political Watch). McAdams’ three opponents question support for Israel. Will this be an issue in the Democratic Primary?
Cowley: Track AIPAC is a group solely dedicated to following the spending of perceived pro-Israel donors. Their overtly antisemitic messaging and poor math are troubling, to say the least. Voters should always question the source and motives behind any allegations. McAdams’ detractors should carefully consider their audience in Utah when disparaging a persecuted religious group.
Pignanelli: People of my generation knew Holocaust survivors. We watched in amazement at the Israeli army in the 1967 and 1973 wars. We mourned the assassinated Israeli athletes in the 1972 Olympics. Meanwhile, this small strip of land transformed into an economic powerhouse. One of my political heroes, President Harry S. Truman, led the effort to recognize the state of Israel. It is disheartening many inheritors of his party are in some form labeling Israel a pariah state.
McAdams was attacked for accepting donations from individuals who also gave to causes supporting Israel. I suspect these are people of the Jewish faith. We have a name for this kind of bigotry.
McAdams’ perseverance on this matter will help him with the many who appreciate our strongest ally.
The lieutenant governor officially declared the efforts to repeal Proposition 4 failed because the threshold in five counties was not met. Over 170,000 citizens (30,000 more than needed) signed the petition. How do politicos view this?
Cowley: This is an embarrassment for the Republican Party. National liberal groups with deep pockets are eyeing Utah as their next target to turn a red state blue. Republicans can use this loss as a learning opportunity and rebuild their grassroots infrastructure, or suffer the consequences of liberals’ superior activist networks.
Pignanelli: Politicos are fascinated by this result because the predominant majority party could not prevail. The multiple reasons for the loss will be debated for years. (I pinned it on the wrong messaging.) Future initiative and counterinitiative efforts will benefit from the lessons.