Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
PROVO — The Utah County Republican Party is requiring candidates to express full support of the GOP prior to running for office.
And at least one candidate, incumbent Sen. Deidre Henderson, R-Spanish Fork, was told she couldn't have access to county delegates before she signed the candidate fitness evaluation form and disclosure statement that, among other things, declares loyalty to the party.
Henderson said she feels the move is "odd," calling it "a misinterpretation of bylaws."
And while there's nothing wrong with a party wanting its candidates to represent similar ideals and stances on issues, "withholding opportunities for delegates to talk to candidates actually frustrates the system," said Chris Karpowitz, co-director of BYU's Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy.
"In the history of our republic, forced loyalty pledges have never been especially effective or popular," he said.
The document asks candidates to state they will not support non-Republican candidates or run as one after a nominee is named by the party, or the candidate will become ineligible to run as a Republican during the next election cycle.
"They're using it as leverage, as coercion to sign before you're able to campaign," Henderson said Thursday on KSL Newsradio's "The Doug Wright Show."
She said the interpretation of the bylaw has never been handled this way before and has hampered her ability to meet delegates in her district in a timely manner.
Henderson said she was told she not only had to sign the pledge but also meet with the steering committee to be given names and contact information for delegates. The county convention is a week from Saturday.
"I'm not accountable to the steering committee. I'm accountable to my constituents, to my voters, to my delegates, not to the steering committee," she said.
Karpowitz said the "unusual set of actions" isn't how the current system is set up to work. Delegates are trusted to meet and question candidates because the public doesn't always have the time or opportunity to do so.
"These sorts of actions serve to undermine trust in the delegate system rather than reinforce it," he said.
Rep. Jake Anderegg, R-Lehi, wrote on his pledge that he was signing "partially under duress." Anderegg is running for the Senate District 13 seat held Sen. Mark Madsen, R-Saratoga Springs, who is not seeking re-election.
"I will abide by the standards so long as they remain legal and constitutional and do not become ridiculous," Anderegg wrote.
He also questions the authority of the document, asking "who" is able to declare a candidate "fit" for office in terms of honesty, morality and integrity.
The bylaws of the party say a candidate's refusal to sign the pledge permits the party to withdraw support of that candidate and do whatever else it deems consistent. Henderson and others fear it is a way for the party to skirt the recent Supreme Court ruling that candidates are allowed to enter the race either by party nomination or by collecting a required number of signatures.
Henderson has signed the pledge, but due to scheduling conflicts has not been able to meet with the committee. She said she hopes something can be worked out.
Rep. Mike McKell, R-Spanish Fork, was accidentally given the list without signing the pledge, and said the problem created by party leadership in the county is "ironic."
"They've made it very clear that they want to protect and preserve the caucus system in our state, but now they've stepped back and said they want more control than the delegates in Utah County," McKell said. "It's not right."
He said the new rules being implemented are "blocking access to delegates," prohibiting candidates from moving forward. McKell has also signed the pledge, but later than other candidates because he is running unopposed.
One consolation, he said, is that the same issue doesn't appear to be happening elsewhere in the state.
County leadership refused to provide comment to KSL News but posted a statement Friday on their website ucrp.org addressing the issue. State leadership also declined to comment.
"Every delegate ought to be outraged," Henderson said. "The steering committee is putting themselves before the delegates … and they have no business vetting candidates."
