I was one of 13 Republicans who filed as a candidate in the race to replace Rep. Chris Stewart after he announced his midterm resignation. According to Utah election law, there are multiple paths to the primary ballot. I chose the convention-only path. I didn’t win at convention; I didn’t even come close.
Despite losing though, the experience afforded me the opportunity to meet, speak with, and listen to the other candidates who’d also thrown their hat into the ring.
Too often we view politics as a blood sport. We fail to view candidates as what they are: people. People with families, people with jobs, people with a history of service. They’re your neighbors, your co-workers. Most likely, they’re the first person who will show-up when you call, and probably the first person who will show-up when you don’t.
I remember participating in two pre-convention debates. As I sat on the stage trying to calm my nerves, I found myself actually listening to the answers my “opponents” gave as we took turns answering questions. There were times their words brought tears to my eyes as I listened to their reasons for running, or as they shared a personal experience from their lives. I stopped viewing them as opponents but rather as fellow warriors. We were 13 people who didn’t wait to be drafted. We were 13 who enlisted. Most importantly, we were on the same team.
Until you’re the “man in the arena” you will never fully understand what that entails. It is not for the faint of heart. I don’t care who the person is, the level of vulnerability and sacrifice required to be a candidate is daunting.
Today, three Republican candidates remain in this race: Becky Edwards, Bruce Hough and Celeste Maloy. I have chosen to endorse Bruce Hough.
I’m a conservative through and through. Becky voted for Joe Biden in 2020. She voted for Barack Obama in 2008. It is her right to vote as she chooses without explanation to me. I respect that and will always defend a person’s right to vote their conscience.
But conservatives don’t vote for Democrat presidential candidates. Period.
There have been many times I’ve abstained from voting for certain Republican candidates, but I’ve never cast my vote for one whose political views are the opposite of mine.
What about Maloy? Maloy has a terrible voting record. She didn’t vote in four of the last six federal elections. She didn’t cast a ballot for president in 2012 or 2020. Since the day she initially registered to vote, she has voted only 50% of the time. That simply isn’t good enough for me. Being smart doesn’t make-up for apathy. Apathy is a scourge. I cannot vote for someone who hasn’t taken seriously the right and privilege of voting. We celebrated the 100th anniversary of the women’s right to vote in 2020, and Maloy didn’t vote at all.
Hough may not reside within the 2nd District boundaries, but he’s lived in Utah consistently for the past 55 years. His views align with my political views. He has a consistent record of voting and of civic engagement. He has extensive experience in the private sector. He’s not a career politician. He’s a father of 10; a grandfather of 22. I believe he is the most qualified person in this race. He will receive my vote. I encourage you to vote for him, too.
Kathleen Anderson, Salt Lake City
