The Utah County GOP leader who was caught making a Nazi-themed joke on a private Facebook page has been appointed as a top deputy to new Utah County Clerk Amelia Powers.
Josh Daniels, the Utah County GOP Vice Chairman, made the Nazi comment about the Count My Vote group in response to a post about a planned cookout following a Utah GOP State Central Committee meeting.
“Speaking of pork…we should lave a Nazi-themed party with polish dogs or weenies and sauerkraut and call it ‘kraut my vote,'” wrote Daniels on the UTGOP SCC – OFFICIAL Facebook page in August. The reference to Polish dogs could be seen as a particularly offensive comment as the Nazi’s killed more than six million Polish citizens during World War II.
“Kraut my vote” is a reference to the “Count My Vote” petition initiative which provides an alternative path to the primary ballot for candidates outside of the traditional convention route. Daniels is a supporter of “Keep My Voice,” which successfully blocked the CMV initiative from inclusion on November’s ballot.
Daniels later offered up an apology for his “sarcastic jokes” that may have been taken out of context.
When reached for comment, Powers said she was aware of Daniels’ comments when she hired him.
“I have confidence he learned from the nature of his snarky comments. He did recognize his lackadaisical approach to Facebook would not be tolerated,” said Powers. “His qualifications and skill set fit what I needed in the office.”
Powers added Daniels’ fervent support of the “Keep My Voice” group, he has referred to organizers of “Count My Voice” as fascists, is not worrisome as his job duties in the office won’t have anything to do with elections.
“He’s not going to be the chief elections officer. Josh will oversee technology to the office and ensuring our audits are completed properly,” she said.
Powers says she is currently seeking to hire an elections director, which is a brand-new position in her office.
“In the previous administration, the chief deputy was the in charge of elections. This new position will be filled by a merit-based, salaried employee who will report directly to me,” she said.
Powers says the new elections chief ideally will have a minimum of 10-years overseeing elections. She hopes to hire for the new position in mid-February.
