As a candidate and delegate—having served as both a state and county delegate in Utah County and Wasatch County—I take a firm stand against Senate Bill 54. This legislation has been demonstrably disruptive to our election process and has led to undesirable outcomes—where money, not merit, buys influence. I have witnessed firsthand how this bill has allowed certain individuals to sneak into public service, supported by lobbyists, where reputation and genuine community standing no longer matter. Money should never be the differentiator in who represents us. Like the old adage says: you can put lipstick on a pig, but at the end of the day, it’s still a pig.
In light of this, I propose the following rule for the Wasatch County GOP Convention:
Whereas, the purpose of the caucus and convention process is to empower citizens to select their neighbors as delegates, who in turn vet and endorse candidates through direct engagement,
Whereas, candidates who opt to gather signatures are bypassing this grassroots process, thereby sidestepping the commitment of engaging with their neighbors,
Therefore, be it resolved that any candidate who has chosen to gather signatures, rather than seek delegate support, shall be permitted to attend the convention but shall not be allocated official speaking time during the delegate proceedings. Such candidates may maintain a booth or informational presence, but may not deliver a formal speech or occupy delegate time.
This rule is established to preserve the integrity and deliberative nature of the convention, ensuring that engagement is rooted in the neighborhood-based caucus process.
Mark Allen
Wasatch County Delegate,
Precinct Vice Chair
House District 59 Candidate
