Strategizing before election, Utah Democrats plead ‘come back home’
“It’s difficult when we, the Democratic Party, are the messenger because your neighbors or colleagues, your family members who are listening to Fox News will always hear the Democratic Party, bad or evil,” DeSirant said.
However, after President Joe Biden quit the race for a second term, the state Democratic party had its best fundraising month so far this year, DeSirant said.
Some of the highest profile candidates for the party are Rep. Brian King, who is running for governor, Caroline Gleich, their U.S. Senate nominee, and Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson, who is making a bid for her reelection.
The party also hopes to unseat some Republicans from their Salt Lake County Council roles. However, this time, DeSirant said, the focus that has historically been in Salt Lake County will extend throughout the state.
Democrats’ numbers in the state could be better, DeSirant said; however, they are larger than what most perceive.
“We all get this feeling that there are no other Democrats around. But that’s not true,” he said. “In fact, more than 33% of Utahns vote a Democratic ticket every year. I know that’s not where it needs to be. We need that to be 50%, 60%, 70%. But when you think about it, that means 1 out of every 3 people that you talk to on the street, vote for a Democrat.”