The Utah GOP is fighting a last-minute attempt by Utah Democrats to replace a state Senate candidate on the ballot.
Abbey Wright withdrew from the SD9 race in May shortly after winning the nomination over Monica Zoltanski. At the time, Wright said she was pulling out of the contest to replace retiring Senate President Wayne Niederhauser because of a medical issue with a family member. Wright confirmed to UtahPolicy.com the issue was with a relative and not her. Utah law only allows a replacement of a candidate on the ballot if they are suffering from a medical or mental condition that leaves them unable to campaign.
Earlier this month, Wright submitted a letter from a physicians assistant that said Wright had health issues that would “make it very difficult” for her to run for office. The Lt. Governor’s office explained to the Democratic Party that the letter certifying Wright’s inability to run for office must come from a doctor, not a physician’s assistant.
On Tuesday, Utah Democrats submitted another letter from a physicians assistant stating that Wright had to resign from the race because of a “physical or mental disability that prevents her from continuing her candidacy.” That letter also carried what appears to be a stamped signature from a doctor. The Democratic Party asserts that document is sufficient for replacing Wright on the ballot.
Salt Lake County Democrats selected Monica Zoltanski to replace Wright on the ballot if their efforts are successful.
Utah Republicans are incensed by the Democratic effort. In a lengthy response letter to election officials, Party Chair Rob Anderson and Salt Lake County Chair Scott Miller said the Democrats are trying to “game the system” by attempting to replace a candidate on the ballot in the 11th hour. The deadline for any candidate replacement is Friday as ballots must be printed ahead of November’s election.
The GOP letter contesting Wright’s replacement says the most recent doctor’s note submitted by Wright does not specify any specific physical or mental disability.
Republicans also claim that Zoltanski, who has not yet met the requirements for inclusion on the ballot, has already been campaigning for the office, which includes door knocking and campaign signs.
Needless to say, the Republican Party is taking an extremely cynical view of the shifting justifications for Wright’s withdrawal and the late to the game attempt to replace her.
“There is no evidence that Ms. Wright withdrew due to her own disability,” states the letter from Anderson and Miller. “The Salt Lake Democratic Party recognized the withdrawal would not and did not meet statutory requirements, and therefore sought assistance from Wright after the fact to get confirmation that might allow them to make a colorable case to get her on the ballot, knowing that the requirements had not been met.”
Salt Lake County Democratic Chair Quang Dang said in a statement “We submitted Monica Zoltanski’s name and followed the process. It’s up to the Lt. Gov to formally accept or reject it. This is now a legal matter on how the law is interpreted.”
In their letter putting Zoltanski forward as a replacement for Wright, Salt Lake County Democrats say if their request is denied, they will “vigorously pursue all available legal channels, including but not limited to filing suit…and seeking a temporary restraining order.”
Utah GOP Chair Rob Anderson says the Democratic party is trying to comply with the law “after the fact” in order to replace Wright.
“This matter should have been resolved in May when Wright submitted her resignation. It was not,” says Anderson. “All further attempts to replace Wright will result in challenges by the Utah Republican Party.”
If Democrats are unsuccessful in replacing Wright on the ballot, it will leave Republican Kirk Cullimore and United Utah Party candidate Alexander Castagno on the ballot.
The Lt. Governor’s office says they are working to provide an answer by Friday when November’s ballot has to be certified.
