The Utah Republican Party released the following statement on the impeachment votes from US Senators Lee and Romney:
“Ronald Reagan famously reminded us that “within our tent, there will be many arguments and divisions over approach and method … [but] unity of thought does not require unanimity of thought.”
The violence at the US Capitol on January 6 was horrific and inexcusable. Utah’s United States Senators each experienced those events firsthand, and then relived them during the Democratic House Managers’ relentless video-driven impeachment presentation. In the end, each of our senators voted differently.
Our senators have both been criticized for their vote. The differences between our own Utah Republicans showcase a diversity of thought, in contrast to the danger of a party fixated on “unanimity of thought.” There is power in our differences as a political party, and we look forward to each senator explaining their votes to the people of Utah.
Disagreement is natural and healthy in a party that is based on principles—not on persona. In fact, those principles are the reason behind unprecedented American prosperity during the last four years.
Last November, Utah Republican candidates experienced incredible success because thousands of voters joined our party, inspired by our guiding principles. We are also mindful of those who left, and recognize that their departure may have been motivated by persona and the overall tone of our national political discourse.
As 2021 begins, we look neither to the past, nor to be punitive. We look to the future with optimism and a commitment to those principles that inspired our Founders over two centuries ago. We will continue to be unified behind those principles, and are confident that as we do so, those who have joined our party will stay, while those who have left will soon return.”
