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Robert Gehrke

@robertgehrke.bsky.social
1.1K followers 16 following 119 posts

Government and Politics reporter for The Salt Lake Tribune. Friend of dogs. Fan of Lions (Detroit-style).

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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Before Rep. Trevor Lee, these seven Utah lawmakers resigned after being charged with crimes ranging from poaching to solicitation. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
sltrib.com
Before Rep. Trevor Lee, these lawbreaker Utah lawmakers resigned after being charged with crimes
A look at state legislators who resigned from their seats after being charged with crimes ranging from poaching wildlife to soliciting sex.
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
After a year of “pure hell,” prosecutors in San Juan Co. dropped the charges against a prominent journalist accused of starting the Deer Creek fire. The defense’s expert said the state investigation seemed intended to pin the blaze on him. www.sltrib.com/news/2026/09...
sltrib.com
After a year of ‘pure hell,’ charges against a prominent journalist accused of starting a Utah wildfire have been dropped
Prosecutors in San Juan County charged journalist Scott Carrier with starting a 2025 fire that burned nearly 18,000 acres. After he raised questions about the investigation, the charges have been drop...
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
The Trump Justice Department is suing Utah colleges and universities over a 2002 law that allowed undocumented immigrants known as Dreamers to pay in-state tuition, saying it disadvantages citizens. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
sltrib.com
Trump DOJ sues Utah over state law that allows in-state college tuition for some undocumented students
Utah has allowed undocumented high school graduates who have applied for legal residency to pay in-state college rates since 2002, when Utah’s Republican-dominated Legislature passed a law allowing th...
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Trump Justice Department says @LGHendersonUtah is under investigation for violating election laws. Meanwhile, Henderson and other election officials are asking SCOTUS to not revive Trumps mail-in-voting rules, saying it’s impossible to implement before the election. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
sltrib.com
Trump’s DOJ is investigating Utah’s election chief for refusing to hand over voter data, it says in letter
The Justice Department has warned Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson that she is under investigation for not complying with the Trump administration's demands for voter information. Meanwhile, Henderson has we...
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Since Utah banned Pride flags and most others last year, the state auditor has fielded the expected complaints about illegal displays — and a few surprises. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
sltrib.com
Since Utah banned pride flags, here are the investigations of complaints
In the 16 months since Utah banned pride flags and a host of others, the state auditor has investigated at least 16 complaints about displays of prohibited flags. Here's what they were.
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Reposted by Robert Gehrke
The Salt Lake Tribune @sltrib.com · 27/08/2026
Former participants say The Other Side Academy's tough love approach crossed a line. Academy leaders say those participants knew exactly what they were signing up for.
sltrib.com
‘Just go down the street and die’: What former participants say happened when they left The Other Side Academy
Former participants say The Other Side Academy's tough love approach crossed a line. Academy leaders say those participants knew exactly what they were signing up for.
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
The four folks who Senate Pres. Stuart Adams is threatening to sue for defamation are basically telling him to bring it on. "We will prevail." Ball is in his court. Adams says he's "keeping my options open." www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
sltrib.com
‘We will prevail’: Critics threatened by Utah Senate president say they’re ready for a legal battle
The four people threatened with defamation lawsuits by outgoing Senate President J. Stuart Adams have a clear message: We won’t be silenced.
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
It’s been a year since the Lege changed the appeals process for public records. So I took a look at how it’s gone and whether or not it has been a win for government transparency. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
sltrib.com
Utah’s new public records chief is deciding cases twice as fast as the committee — but not everyone’s happy
Last year, Utah lawmakers created a new government records officer and disbanded the State Records Committee. Here's how many public records disputes are being decided in the new system.
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
BREAKING: For the first time, ICE has acknowledged publicly that it will NOT pursue building a massive detention center in SLC. A joint filing with ICE attorneys, along with SLC/SLCO, asked to pause litigation over the issue because the plan is scrapped. www.sltrib.com/news/2026/08...
sltrib.com
Feds scrap Salt Lake City ICE detention warehouse plans
The change of course was confirmed in court records Wednesday.
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Auditor @TinaCannonUtah's response to the lawsuit threat: "I refused to be bullied by President Adams, and I certainly won’t be bullied by Mr. Adams." (He'll be "Mr. Adams" after he lost his primary.) Also, it is extremely difficult for a politician to win a defamation suit.
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
After losing his primary, Senate President Stuart Adams is threatening to sue four critics, including the state auditor, for statements Adams says were defamatory. “Correct the record,” Adams demands. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
sltrib.com
After election loss, Utah Senate president threatens to sue four critics for alleged defamation
"Correct the record." After a primary election loss, Senate President Stuart Adams warns four critics, including Utah Auditor Tina Cannon, to retract their criticisms and "lies" — or he’ll sue.
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
The Trump admin awarded a contract worth up to $244 million to Our Rescue (formerly Tim Ballard's Operation Underground Railroad) to give legal services to unaccompanied migrant children. One provider says they're "wholly unqualified" to do the job. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
sltrib.com
‘Wholly unqualified’: Utah anti-trafficking group shouldn’t have received $244M legal services contract, critic says
The White House awarded a nearly $244M contract to Utah-based Our Rescue, formerly Operation Underground Railroad, to coordinate legal representation for immigrant kids. A critic says they're "wholly ...
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
While everyone runs around like the sky is falling over our political climate, popular podcaster and UVU @ProfGregJackson provided perspective: Fake news, election denial, political violence are as old as the nation. Older. And we've made it — so far. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
sltrib.com
You think U.S. politics have never been worse? It has, says this Utah professor and podcaster.
Rabic partisanship and fake news are not new ideas in America, a Utah Valley University professor argues. He explains why in his new book.
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Remember, kids: No betting in Utah. But if you happen to be in another state, here's how the degenerate gamblers on Kalshi are expecting Utah's congressional races to go tonight. Disappointed in the lack of action for VoteGehrke!
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
New: Gov. Spencer Cox has nominated Jay Jorgensen and Stephen Dent to fill two newly created spots on the Utah Supreme Court. Dent is an assistant U.S. attorney. Jorgensen is chief counsel to the LDS Church.
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
BREAKING: Chief Justice Matthew Durrant announced Friday he will retire from the Utah Supreme Court after 26 years. It means Gov. Cox will have appointed 5 of 7 justices in less than a year, marking an unprecedented revamping of the high court. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
sltrib.com
Chief Justice Matthew Durrant retiring from Utah Supreme Court, continuing unprecedented overhaul of the bench
Chief Justice Matthew Durrant announced he will retire from the Utah Supreme Court, effective Aug. 31. It means that Gov. Spencer Cox will have appointed five of the seven justices in the span of less...
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Big news about the news: Starting TOMORROW you’ll be able to access the @sltrib free of charge. It will be an invaluable resource for ALL of the community, thanks to the generous donors who made it possible. www.sltrib.com/opinion/comm...
sltrib.com
Robert Gehrke: Making the news available at no cost is a massive victory
Just because the journalism free doesn’t mean it doesn’t have value. We need your support.
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Breaking: An investigation by the SLC attorney determined that, as the Trib reported, council member Eva Lopez Chavez had moved out of her council district and therefore the seat has been vacated. www.sltrib.com/news/2026/05...
sltrib.com
Embattled SLC Council member Eva Lopez Chavez forced from seat
Lopez Chavez, who represented Salt Lake City's downtown area, does not live in her district, disqualifying her from serving on the council, the city said Tuesday.
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Breaking: An investigation by the SLC attorney determined that, as the Trib reported, council member Eva Lopez Chavez had moved out of her council district and therefore the seat has been vacated. www.sltrib.com/news/2026/05...
sltrib.com
Embattled SLC Council member Eva Lopez Chavez forced from seat
Lopez Chavez, who represented Salt Lake City's downtown area, does not live in her district, disqualifying her from serving on the council, the city said Tuesday.
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Justice Hagen's letter of resignation. In it she says her family and friends don't deserve to have personal details surrounding her divorce subjected to public scrutiny and she cannot remain on the bench "without sacrificing the privacy and well-being of those I care about."
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Breaking: Amid an investigation by Republican leaders and a campaign by the Utah GOP to remove her from the bench, Justice Diana Hagen has resigned from the Utah Supreme Court, creating a third vacancy on the bench. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
sltrib.com
Supreme Court Justice Diana Hagen resigns amid Utah Legislature’s investigation
Justice Diana Hagen — under intense pressure from Republican leaders, including Gov. Spencer Cox — has resigned from the Utah Supreme Court, the governor said.
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
A SLC resident is asking the city attorney to investigate if Council member Eva Lopez Chavez has moved out of District 4. If she has, she automatically forfeita her council seat. Records show she bought a home in District 5 last Sept. She has no comment. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
sltrib.com
Salt Lake City Council member Eva Lopez Chavez could lose her seat over where she lives
A constituent has asked the Salt Lake City attorney's office to investigate whether a council member has moved out of her district. If she has, under city code and state law, she will be off the cit...
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 26/04/2026
Breaking: Liban Mohamed won the support of delegates at the Utah Democratic Party convention in CD1. Three other candidates — Nate Blouin, Ben McAdams and Michael Farrell — gathered signatures to advance to the primary. Eva Lopez Chavez and Luis Villareal are eliminated.
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
Feels like there could be an upset brewing at the Utah Democratic convention. Based on the audience reaction, Liban Mohamed definitely had the loudest supporters. Nate Blouin went at Ben McAdams pretty hard. Eva Lopez Chavez got a smattering of boos mixed with her applause.
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Some news …
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
Nate Blouin says there are “much bigger forces” behind the unearthing of a slew of decade-old online posts that used demeaning and offensive language. Suggests Ben McAdams may be behind them. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
sltrib.com
Nate Blouin says ‘much bigger forces’ behind offensive posts airing, no plans to leave Utah congressional race
Democrat Nate Blouin says he has no plan to leave Utah's 1st Congressional District race and that ‘much bigger forces’ are behind airing his offensive posts.
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
Correction: He needs 45% (not 40%) to survive.
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
For those following the SLCO Dem convention today, keep an eye on the district attorney contest between Sim Gill and Shawn Robinson. Gill has held the office for 16 years but Robinson piled up endorsements from several of the Dem groups, including the Progressive caucus.
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
As of this morning, the Prop 4 repeal lost another state senate district. The 19 signature removals left it four short in SD12, meaning it qualified in 24 or the required 26 districts. With about two more weeks left for removals SD9 is the next one that is vulnerable at +255.
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
Prop 4 fails to make the ballot after 327 more voters remove their signatures in critical Senate District 15. All told, about 1,000 people removed their signatures in SD15 and roughly 9,000 have done so statewide. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
sltrib.com
Prop 4 repeal fails to make 2026 ballot after Utah voters pull their signatures
A Republican-back effort to repeal Prop 4, Utah's anti-gerrymandering law, will fail to make the 2026 ballots after voters withdrew their signatures.
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
Prop 4 repeal update: After two days of SD15 holding steady, there were 34 signature removals today. The margin stands at 68 in the critical tipping-point district (meaning 69 removals and the Prop 4 repeal fails to make the ballot). Deadline is April 23.
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Today's update: The Prop 4 repeal lost another 118 signatures in SD15, dropping the margin to 114 withdrawals that opponents need to get to keep the gerrymandering repeal off the ballot. They have until April 23 to get them.
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Despite a rushed change by the Lege making it harder to remove signatures, the margin for the Prop 4 repeal continues to narrow. It hinges on Senate District 15, where the margin has gone from 658 signatures to 232 signatures in the past week. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
sltrib.com
Prop 4 repeal effort losing signatures despite GOP lawmakers’ rushed change to Utah law
Utah voters are still removing their names from the Proposition 4 repeal effort after GOP lawmakers rushed to change Utah law.
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
Rep. Nelson Abbott says House leaders killed his rural jobs bill because he objected to $10 million in taxpayer money going to a downtown SLC trail. I hear this kind of story a lot, but most won’t talk about it publicly. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
sltrib.com
GOP lawmaker says rural jobs bill was killed, and he was mocked, for questioning $10M Pioneer Trail
In the final days of Utah's legislative session, Rep. Abbott voiced concerns about $10 million for The Pioneer Trail. He says it cost him his rural jobs bills.
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
UPDATE: The Davis County Clerk says they've finished counting packets and there are enough signatures to put SD7 over the threshold by 48 — AS OF NOW. There are still removals to be processed and whatever changes come from the secondary review of those rejected signatures.
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
WILDEST finish to Prop 4 repeal! GOP-led repeal group has met the statewide mark & qualified in 25 of 26 required Senate districts. But they're 8 sigs shy in SD7. Davis clerk says he has THREE packets left and "a pretty good bunch" of removal forms. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
sltrib.com
8 signatures shy: Push to repeal Prop 4 appears in peril as final signatures are counted
The Republican push to repeal Prop 4 and restore the Legislature's power to gerrymander political districts is on thin ice, but signature counting continues.
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Breaking: DOJ sued LG Henderson & 5 other states, demanding they turn over complete voter registration database, including voters' private data. Henderson: No state or federal law lets "DOJ collect private information on law-abiding American citizens,” www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
sltrib.com
Trump’s DOJ sues Lt. Gov. Henderson, demanding she turn over Utahns’ private voter records
President Trump’s Justice Department sued Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson and wants a court to order her to turn over Utahns private voter data.
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
The effort to repeal Prop 4's ban on gerrymandering has crossed the statewide threshold and now has close to 150k signatures. They still need to meet the targets in six more state senate districts, but they made significant progress there, as well. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
sltrib.com
Effort to repeal Utah’s anti-gerrymandering law sees big progress in attempt to get on fall ballot
Prop 4 repeal effort reached its statewide signature goal on Thursday, but more importantly, hit the signature threshold in 20 of 26 required Senate districts.
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Breaking: The effort to repeal Prop 4 now has 149,781 signatures, passing the statewide threshold. Still needs to get to the mark in senate districts. More analysis after I get my coffee.
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
So close! The push to repeal Prop 4 is now just 86 signatures from the statewide goal after the biggest day of verification yet. They have 140,662. They also have met the threshold in 14 senate districts and need 12 more. public.flourish.studio/visualisatio...
public.flourish.studio
Prop 4 repeal map
A Flourish data visualization by Emily Anderson Stern
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
Morning signature update: Prop 4 repeal now has 129,946 verified signatures and needs just 10,802 to hit the statewide mark. The repeal effort has also met its goal in nine senate districts. They need 17 more. About 3,400 people have removed their names. public.flourish.studio/visualisatio...
public.flourish.studio
Prop 4 repeal map
A Flourish data visualization by Emily Anderson Stern
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Morning Update: As of Monday, Prop 4 repeal is on track to get to the 140,748 signatures needed statewide. They now have 123,449. But they still only have six of the 26 senate districts needed (close in several others). 2,741 have withdrawn signatures. public.flourish.studio/visualisatio...
public.flourish.studio
Prop 4 repeal map
A Flourish data visualization by Emily Anderson Stern
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 21/02/2026
Breaking: Utah Supreme Court rejected the Legislatures appeal in the redistricting case.
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
Morning update on Prop 4 signatures: Repeal effort now has 107,793 of the 140,748 needed, just over 3/4. They secured a 4th senate district, 22 more to go. There have been 1,925 removals. public.flourish.studio/visualisatio...
public.flourish.studio
Prop 4 repeal map
A Flourish data visualization by Emily Anderson Stern
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
I've been negligent, but here is the 2026 Graffy, showing how much taffy I have consumed so far this session. Consumption is down significantly and my teeth are happy about it.
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Glenn Beck teed off on Utah Republican legislators, calling them "hypocrites" for packing the Utah Supreme Court and warning it could be the end of the Republic. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
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‘End of the republic’: As Utah Republicans change state courts, Glenn Beck calls them ‘hypocrites’
As Utah Republicans continue their campaign of reshaping the state’s judicial system this week, Glenn Beck derided them as “hypocrites.”
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
A bill in the Legislature would require the Jazz, Mammoth, RSL and others to allow concealed weapons into their venues. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
sltrib.com
Carry a gun at a Utah Jazz game? GOP lawmaker aims to let conceal permit holders pack.
A Utah Republican wants to force the Delta Center and other venues to allow concealed carry permit holders to pack a gun at games — despite leagues' rules.
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 01/02/2026
Tensions are high as signature gatherers clash with opponents of the bid to repeal Prop 4 and restore the Legislatures ability to gerrymander. In a handful of cases, police have been called. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
sltrib.com
‘Decline to sign’ volunteers and GOP-paid signature gatherers clash during Prop 4 repeal effort
Utah Gov. Cox calls for respect for signature gatherers as ‘Decline to sign’ volunteers and GOP-paid gatherers clash during Prop 4 repeal effort.
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
Gov. Cox has signed a bill into law expanding the Utah Supreme Court by two justices — but lawmakers deny they’re packing the court. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
sltrib.com
Two more Utah Supreme Court justices after Legislature — sore from legal losses — passes expansion
Gov. Cox quickly signed a bill adding two justices to the Utah Supreme Court. The GOP-led Legislature has derided the current justices as "activists."
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Robert Gehrke @robertgehrke.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
Surprise! Ben McAdams is indeed running for Congress. www.sltrib.com/news/politic...
sltrib.com
Ben McAdams makes it official — the Democrat is running again for Congress in Utah
“People are really struggling and Washington seems to have forgotten families like mine,” Ben McAdams said of his new run for U.S. House.
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