In the aftermath of the Utah Republican nominating convention, there’s been much talk about the influence of the far-right fringe on the results. This criticism isn’t misplaced, but as a conservative Republican, I believe the blame doesn’t solely lie with the far-right wing of our party; it lies with us, the pragmatic conservatives who have too often stood by and let it happen.
The caucus and convention system, as it stands, is being called broken and dominated by extreme views, or so the prevailing narrative goes. Yet, this system also represents the most direct, most affordable route for everyday Utahns to voice their opinions, influence policy, and even run for office themselves. It’s a system that, at its core, is profoundly democratic and worth preserving.
However, its value is diminished when the broader base of the Republican Party disengages. The results from the convention underscore this issue: candidates who might have resonated more with the general electorate were left unsupported and in some cases their run for office ended because too few from their large bases were there to back them.
This is not just a problem; it’s a call to action. It’s easy to point fingers at the system or the far-right that shows up and expresses their values. It’s much harder to look inward and acknowledge that our absence at the caucus meetings and conventions contributes to these outcomes. We call for change and complain on X (formerly Twitter) but retreat when it’s time to step into the convention halls.
As Republicans, we all pride ourselves on the principle of being the party of personal responsibility. It’s time to apply that principle to our engagement with the political process. If the party is drifting away from its base, it’s not because those at the extremes are too strong, but because the rest of us have been too silent.
Let’s not give up on a system that empowers the individual merely because it’s being misused. Let’s take it back, make it work for us, and in doing so, ensure it represents the true spirit of conservatism in Utah
Jesse Sandstrom, Vineyard