An anti-Trump conservative group gave two Utahns in Congress failing grades for undermining democracy after they supported former President Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
The Republican Accountability Project released its “Democracy Report Card,” which grades members of Congress on whether they acted to undermine or uphold democracy following the 2020 election and if they played any role in trying to overturn Joe Biden’s win in the 2020 election.
Both Reps. Chris Stewart and Burgess Owens received failing grades in the report, while Sen. Mike Lee and Rep. Blake Moore were given “D” grades. Rep. John Curtis got a “B minus.” Sen. Mitt Romney was one of 16 Republicans who received an “A” or “A-.”
The report used four criteria to determine its grades. None of Utah’s delegation signed onto the Texas lawsuit seeking to throw out votes cast in Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Both Stewart and Owens voted to throw out the electoral votes in Pennsylvania after a pro-Trump mob attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6. Lee, Moore, Owens, and Stewart were dinged in the report for making public statements that cast doubt on the legitimacy of the 2020 election. Only Romney voted to convict Trump in his second impeachment trial for inciting the Capitol riot.
Lee and Stewart are among Donald Trump’s biggest supporters in Congress. Lee campaigned for Trump in 2020, likening him to Book of Mormon hero Captain Moroni during a rally in Arizona.
In late December, Owens told The Salt Lake Tribune he “absolutely” believed Donald Trump won the 2020 election.
“There’s no question in my mind that I think he won,” said Owens justifying his decision to vote against certifying the Electoral College results despite Trump’s 7 million vote loss. In January, Owens backed off the claim, saying he accepted Biden as the election winner.
Stewart cited concerns about “voting irregularities and ballot integrity” as his reason for rejecting the Electoral College results. Stewart did not list any instances of fraud or any other evidence.
Both Stewart and Owens’ social media posts were highlighted in a report from California Democrat Zoe Lofgren for pushing the “Big Lie” that the 2020 presidential election was either stolen or somehow fraudulent.
None of Utah’s members of Congress have responded to a request for comment from The Tribune.
“Ever since January 6, every congressional Republican who supported the Big Lie has been trying to distract from their shameful behavior and pretend like the insurrection never happened,” said Sarah Longwell, Executive Director of RAP, in a press release. “Our new report card will serve as a permanent record of their bravery or cowardice.”
The Republican Accountability Project is a group led by Republicans and conservatives who were outspoken critics of Trump during his time in office.
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