Embattled Attorney General Sean Reyes has drawn his first potential challenger for the Republican nomination in next year’s election to become Utah’s top law enforcement officer.
Former state Republican Party Chair Derek Brown announced Thursday morning he was forming an exploratory committee ahead of a possible bid into Utah’s 2024 attorney general election.
Brown also served in the Utah House from 2011 to 2014, when he resigned to become deputy chief of staff for U.S. Sen. Mike Lee. He is currently a lobbyist for Lincoln Hill Partners.
“Our country is at a critical juncture, and we need to push back against the federal power grabs that are eroding our liberties,” Brown said in a news release. “Utah is known for its bold leadership and practical solutions, and I would be honored to advocate for Utah and work to preserve and uphold our constitution.”
Former Gov. Gary Herbert will serve as chair of Brown’s exploratory committee. Herbert’s support for Brown is notable since he appointed Reyes as attorney general after the resignation of John Swallow in 2013.
“Derek is well known for his commitment to conservative principles and his ability to inspire and unite,” Herbert said in a news release Thursday. “Few attorneys in Utah have his remarkable breadth and depth of experience in both law and government.”
Brown’s exploration into the races comes as the attorney general’s office will be investigated by the Legislature over oversight concerns. Reyes’ longtime friendship with ousted Operation Underground Railroad head Tim Ballard also has lawmakers reconsidering how Utah’s attorney general is selected.
A recent investigation by The Salt Lake Tribune found that Reyes has used campaign donations to take more than 30 trips, including internationally, to luxury resorts over a three-year period.
This would not be the first primary challenge Reyes has faced during his three terms in office. In 2020, he defeated then-Utah County Attorney David Leavitt.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
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