Politics
Sen. Curtis questions Trump nominee on 'skeptical' comments about Latter-day Saints
Utah Sen. John Curtis pressed a Trump administration nominee during confirmation hearings about past comments expressing skepticism of Latter-day Saints, the Deseret News reports. The nominee had previously questioned whether members of the faith could be trusted in sensitive government positions.
November 12, 2026 at 5:03 PM MT · via Deseret News · 2 sources
Utah Gov. Cox calls GOP midterm losses 'historic defeat,' urges party to listen
Utah Governor Spencer Cox described Republicans' 2026 midterm performance as a "historic defeat" and urged his party to listen to voters, according to the Utah News Dispatch. Cox made the comments during a news conference broadcast by PBS Utah on Monday.
November 12, 2026 at 11:03 AM MT · via Utah News Dispatch · 3 sources
Utah County elects Democratic Socialist amid 2026 blue wave
Utah County, one of the most Republican counties in America, elected a Democratic Socialist to office in the 2026 midterms, part of a stunning Democratic wave that flipped more than a dozen Utah Legislature seats from GOP control. The Salt Lake Tribune examines how the upset occurred in a county that typically delivers overwhelming Republican margins.
November 12, 2026 at 2:03 AM MT · via The Salt Lake Tribune · 6 sources
Outside review details discrimination complaint against Utah Democrat
An outside review of discrimination and harassment complaints against Utah state Sen. Kathleen Riebe has been released, according to Utah News Dispatch. The investigation examined workplace conduct allegations involving the Democratic lawmaker from Cottonwood Heights.
November 10, 2026 at 10:02 AM MT · via Utah News Dispatch · 2 sources
Historian examines 1984 Oaks memo shaping decades of LDS LGBTQ policy
Historian Benjamin Park released a video examining a 1984 memorandum by newly called apostle Dallin H. Oaks outlining how the LDS Church should approach gay rights legislation. The video, which has drawn 7,874 views in 18 hours, analyzes the memo's arguments about decriminalization and anti-discrimination laws and traces its influence across four decades of Church LGBTQ policy.
November 10, 2026 at 2:12 AM MT · via YouTube / Benjamin Park, Historian
Democrats flip Utah legislative seats as vote-counting continues
Democrats are on track to flip multiple seats in Utah's GOP-dominated Legislature as vote-counting continues, according to The Salt Lake Tribune. The gains could break the Republican supermajority that has controlled the chamber for years.
November 8, 2026 at 2:12 AM MT · via The Salt Lake Tribune · 3 sources
Utah congressional delegation set as AP calls Moore, Kennedy races
The Associated Press called victory for Republican Reps. Blake Moore and Mike Kennedy late this week, confirming Utah's expected congressional delegation, according to the Utah News Dispatch. Moore won the 2nd District with 50.26% of votes, while Kennedy secured his seat.
November 8, 2026 at 2:12 AM MT · via Utah News Dispatch · 6 sources
Were LDS voters part of Utah's midterm blue shift?
The Salt Lake Tribune analyzes what is known about how Latter-day Saints voted in the 2026 midterm elections, following significant Democratic gains in Utah's House delegation. The piece examines whether Mormon voters contributed to the shift that broke the Republican supermajority.
November 7, 2026 at 9:03 PM MT · via The Salt Lake Tribune · 5 sources
Report details harassment allegations against Utah Sen. Kathleen Riebe
An outside investigation into Utah state Sen. Kathleen Riebe found credible allegations of discriminatory behavior and harassment, according to FOX 13 News Utah. The report, commissioned by Democratic leadership, detailed multiple complaints from staff and colleagues.
November 6, 2026 at 8:03 PM MT · via FOX 13 News Utah · 2 sources
Southern Utah Democrat wins Senate majority leader role after midterm gains
A Democratic leader from southern Utah — a heavily Latter-day Saint region that typically votes Republican by wide margins — ascended to the Senate's most powerful position following significant Democratic gains in the 2026 midterms, according to The Salt Lake Tribune. The shift reflects broader changes in Utah's political landscape.
November 6, 2026 at 6:02 PM MT · via The Salt Lake Tribune · 7 sources
Idaho abortion measure fails with LDS Church opposition; other states pass rights proposals
Voters in Idaho defeated an abortion-rights ballot measure after the LDS Church publicly opposed it, while abortion-rights proposals passed in Missouri, Virginia and Nevada. The Salt Lake Tribune reports the Idaho measure's failure as a significant win for the Church's political influence in the heavily Latter-day Saint state.
November 5, 2026 at 5:02 PM MT · via The Salt Lake Tribune · 3 sources
Romney blames GOP midterm losses on 'bad policy, bad character'
Former Sen. Mitt Romney attributed Republicans' midterm election losses to a lack of sound policy and compassionate governing, urging his party to reverse course in comments to reporters Wednesday.
November 4, 2026 at 9:02 PM MT · via KSL