Are Political Moderates Welcome in the Utah Republican Party?

With the resignation of Gov. Jon Huntsman, the Republican Party has lost its biggest moderate voice. Will anyone replace him? And without Huntsman, will moderates feel welcome in the party?

UtahPolicy.com invited both Republican and Democratic leaders to comment on whether moderates are welcome in the Utah GOP. Republican leaders, including some strong conservatives, say moderates are definitely welcome. But some of them acknowledge that the party has a problem because some moderates do not always feel welcome. No Democratic leaders responded to the invitation to comment.

It is unknown who will replace Huntsman as the leading moderate in the party, although it could be incoming Lt. Gov. Greg Bell. Bell was viewed as a moderate in the Legislature, but time will tell whether he maintains his moderate image as lieutenant governor.

Presented here are the views of SL County GOP Chair Thomas Wright, state party Vice-Chair Morgan Philpot, former state Vice-Chair Todd Weiler, and State Rep. Carl Wimmer.