Understanding a messy week in Utah politics

Scandal dominated Utah politics this week, complicating the campaigns of two of the state’s most contentious lawmakers, causing a university to backtrack and casting doubt on the independence of the Utah Supreme Court.

An investigation led by state leaders into an alleged improper relationship between state Supreme Court Justice Diana Hagen and an attorney who argued before the high court even caught the attention of the White House.

On Friday, CBS reported that the Trump administration was closely following the investigation involving David Reymann, who represented plaintiffs in the redistricting case that resulted in new electoral boundaries last fall. He has also worked as an attorney for the Desert News and for the Utah Media Coalition, of which Deseret News is a member.

The revelations and reversals come just one week before party nominating conventions, which have been shaped by the new court-ordered congressional map. They also mark a turn from Utah’s typically cheery politics.

“We brand ourselves as a place that rewards discussion, deliberation and cooperation over so-called ‘dirty tricks,’” said Damon Cann, a political science professor at Utah State University. “But it is still politics.”

Here is a breakdown of the week’s breaking news and how it might impact the state’s biggest political debates.

Court investigation

On Thursday, KSL broke the news that Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and top Republican legislators were launching an investigation into allegations that Hagen had an inappropriate relationship with Reymann.

The allegations were first detailed in a complaint submitted late last year to the Judicial Conduct Commission, but the commission decided not to proceed with a full investigation, KSL reported.

Based on conversations with Hagen’s ex-husband, Tobin Hagen, the complaint alleges the justice and Reymann exchanged “suggestive” texts. Hagen and Reymann have denied there was an inappropriate relationship.

After writing the majority opinion in a 2024 ruling that blocked the Legislature’s attempt to propose a constitutional amendment, Hagen recused herself from future redistricting case hearings.

She cited close friendships, including with Reymann, as the reason for voluntarily disqualifying herself, KSL reported.

GOP leaders justified the need for a full investigation because they believed a more thorough look would help maintain trust in institutions after the commission had allegedly “left important questions unresolved.”

In a statement on Thursday, Democratic lawmakers said that they trusted the commission’s initial decision, arguing that their colleague’s investigation raised “significant concerns over the separation of powers.”

Matt Whitlock, senior vice president at CRC Advisors and former deputy chief of staff for Sen. Orrin Hatch, said that on an issue with as many political ramifications as redistricting, more transparency is the best solution.

“When you have a judge involved in something so hot-button that decides the entire fate of a congressional map, who also has some potential nefarious ties to an attorney arguing it, that is textbook impropriety,” Whitlock said.

“If there’s no wrongdoing there then they should not oppose efforts to investigate it ... to ensure there wasn’t any inappropriate influence in this case because the stakes are massive for Utah.”

On Friday, Hagen issued a statement reiterating that the commission had “dismissed the complaint, and closed the case.” She remains committed to “upholding the highest standards of judicial ethics,” the statement said.

The Utah Supreme Court said the release of the complaint through a public records request was “inappropriate” and had “renewed questioning” about allegations that had already been dismissed under the proper process.

A look at lawmakers’ past

Court intrigue is just one of multiple storylines this week that made Utah politics look like what Whitlock called a “Bravo TV special.”

On Wednesday, media reports revealed that Democratic congressional candidate Nate Blouin had a history of making offensive comments toward women, children and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In numerous posts from more than a decade ago, Blouin described church members as “bigoted,” “oppressive,” “narrow minded” and the worst part about living in the state. Blouin moved to Utah from New Hampshire in 2009.

Beyond ridiculing the state’s dominant faith group, the state senator representing Sugar House also used crude language to joke about defecating in a church parking lot, filming underage porn and sexual assault.

Blouin issued an apology, saying his comments reflected a 20-year-old self he has “evolved past.” But Blouin’s main opponent for the 1st District seat, which includes the church’s headquarters, said true growth means changed behavior.

“And in this case, the pattern of demeaning and disrespectful online language hasn’t been limited to the past. It is the present,” former Rep. Ben McAdams said.

Since entering the Legislature in 2023, Blouin has developed a reputation for insulting social media posts. In a 2024 post, Blouin suggested that someone should cover the “second m in Mormon” to make it “moron.”

Also on Wednesday, state Rep. Trevor Lee, R-Layton, became the subject of an opposition campaign led by a former employer.

Over a decade ago, Lee, a Republican who has also made a name for himself with his proclivity for controversial posts about immigration and social issues, worked for Moxie Pest Control CEO Jason Walton.

On Wednesday, Walton launched stoptrevorlee.com and sent mailers to GOP voters living in Lee’s Layton district, claiming that Lee committed check fraud against him in 2013, altering checks to steal thousands of dollars.

In a statement to KSL, Lee admitted he acted improperly at Moxie, but denied allegations by a different employer.

The website also features Enevive owner Trent Spafford, who alleges that he advanced Lee $93,000 in 2024 to help Lee qualify for a loan after Lee promised to help his business secure a government contract.

Lee, who was a state lawmaker at the time, denies all of Spafford’s allegations, saying that they came after Spafford unsuccessfully tried to sue him and his friends for allegedly violating a noncompete agreement.

But whether or not the claims are true, or reflective of current character, they may have an impact on delegates’ votes next Saturday, according to Utah GOP consultant Renae Cowley, who is not involved in either race.

“That’s an individual decision for each voter based upon their set of values and who they think will do best in office,” Cowley said.

“A lot of Utahns voted for Donald Trump. I’m sure a lot of those Utahns look at his personal life and his moral flaws but still voted for him because they believe in his policies.”

UVU cancels speaker

Wednesday also saw the conclusion of a weeklong campaign by Utah’s federal delegation and others to pressure UVU to reconsider its choice of “America’s Government Teacher,” Sharon McMahon, as the 2026 commencement speaker.

The announcement of McMahon’s speech sparked outcry from conservative student groups and lawmakers who took issue with her reaction to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on UVU’s campus.

On Sept. 12, 2025, just two days after Kirk’s death, in a since-deleted post, McMahon said his assassination had not erased “the harm many experienced from his words, and the ensuing actions his followers took.”

This week Utah members of Congress joined a growing chorus of criticism calling for UVU to reverse course on the decision which they called “insensitive,” “tone deaf” and inadequate following the tragedy on campus.

In posts on X, Utah Sen. Mike Lee said the university’s decision disrespected “the tens of millions of Americans who are still mourning Charlie Kirk’s death” and urged the university to “reconsider” their invitation to McMahon.

Rep. Burgess Owens called the decision “morally bankrupt” and in a public letter posted on Wednesday called on McMahon personally to withdraw from the event so it wouldn’t be “overshadowed by controversy.”

Reps. Celeste Maloy and Mike Kennedy also weighed in. Maloy criticized the decision as “tone-deaf” and Kennedy said it showed “a lack of judgment in its timing” and a disregard for what this community has gone through."

On Friday, UVU said McMahon would no longer be speaking at the university’s commencement ceremonies. The university cited “increased safety concerns” as the reason, but did not elaborate on what those concerns were.

McMahon’s spokesperson said she had “unequivocally condemned” Kirk’s murder and hoped to encourage more “bridge-building.” Her goal is to educate on how government works, according to the statement.