Was it an endorsement flip-flop or just campaign sloppiness?
Earlier this month, San Juan County Commissioner Silvia Stubbs took to social media to claim that she had not endorsed incumbent Republican Spencer Cox in the upcoming gubernatorial primary.
“You may have read in social media something that is not true about my choice for Utah Governor,” Stubbs wrote on Facebook. “My only choice has always been Phil Lyman.
What prompted that cryptic post from Stubbs was a claim by the Cox campaign that she was a supporter of his reelection bid. The day before, Stubbs’ daughter posted a screenshot from Cox’s campaign Instagram saying they were “grateful to have the support of San Juan County Commissioner Silvia Stubbs.” Jessica Stubbs Hayes added the word “FAKE” to the screenshot in her post in large black lettering.
“This is FAKE! My mom supports Phil Lyman 100%!” Jessica Stubbs Hayes wrote.
Commissioner Stubbs did not respond to multiple requests for comment from The Salt Lake Tribune.
A spokesperson for Cox’s campaign claimed Stubbs had twice confirmed that she supported the incumbent, and the post featuring her endorsement had been online for several weeks without any hint of controversy.
The campaign suggests it only became an issue after Lyman won the delegate vote over Cox at April’s GOP state nominating convention. The post has since been deleted from Cox’s social accounts and the campaign said they are working to re-verify the other endorsements they have received.
Lyman says Cox’s campaign was dishonest no matter what excuse they offered.
“It’s not a small thing to claim someone has endorsed you when they haven’t,” Lyman said.
Lyman adds that his campaign has not actively sought out any endorsements from other elected officials and that the endorsements featured on his website were freely offered.
“I’m not a huge fan of politicians endorsing politicians. I don’t ask because I don’t want to put them in what could be an uncomfortable position,” Lyman said.
