My name is Trevor Lee. I am the Republican nominee for the Utah State House of Representatives in District 16. Recently, the gentleman who has, up to now, represented District 16 — who I defeated for the nomination according to the process laid out by Utah law and the Utah Republican Party — published a piece in this space decrying that process and, I suppose, the fact that he lost.

He evidently believes that it was unfair that caucus attendance declined because of weather, which he blamed for his loss at convention. Having lost, my opponent initiated a write-in campaign to retain what he must consider to be “his” House seat, despite losing his party’s nomination. But he failed to share several important facts about our nomination contest with readers.

The first is that, while harsh weather may have played a role in keeping attendance down at last March’s Caucus Night, the Utah GOP had previously made provisions to allow voters to participate despite weather conditions or work schedules. That includes a simple means for every would-be caucus attendee to vote absentee, something a five-term incumbent with ample campaign funds might have made sure his supporters knew ahead of time.

A write-in campaign is a “work-around” of the established party nomination process, but my opponent had other work-arounds available long before that. Any candidate — especially well-funded ones — can gather signatures to secure their slot on the primary ballot.

He had opportunities to declare his intent to gather signatures in January and again in March, which would have rendered Caucus Night results moot. Only 1,000 registered Republican voter signatures were required. With his campaign war chest, he could have easily paid a signature-gathering firm. He declined those opportunities in favor of winner take all at convention.

But Caucus Night was not his last chance. Eighty-nine delegates were chosen that evening in our district (the same number as in good weather), after which each candidate had several weeks to win the votes of those delegates.

Again, my write-in challenger is a well-funded, entrenched incumbent. I am a largely unknown first-time candidate with very little besides volunteers, energy and a conservative agenda. I met personally with 80 of those 89 delegates in their homes, at their business, out walking or at a restaurant — wherever they wanted to meet. I was told repeatedly that my opponent did not make that same effort.

My campaign and I worked hard and brought our energy and more conservative policy agenda to convention, where we prevailed among the delegates. And because of choices made by the incumbent — and because of his five-term record — he lost.

So, now he runs as a write-in candidate. That’s fine. We feel great about our campaign and our prospects on Nov. 8. So please allow me to tell you something about myself and why I’m running.

I am a solid conservative who believes strongly in the Constitution and what we used to call “family values.” I believe that the time is past when a committed conservative can be “socially liberal.” We have learned too well that politics is truly downstream from culture, which means that if we let the Left control our culture, the politics will follow. We see that every day under Joe Biden.

Because I have been attacked, let me state for the record: I bear no ill will toward any individual regardless of sexual or gender preference. All are children of God and worthy of respect. But when any special interest group advances its political agenda to gain political power, the game changes. I have long opposed all leftist political agendas — not just gay and transgender groups — and I have no plans to end my opposition. Criticizing a political agenda is not an attack on any individual, cancel culture notwithstanding. I make no apology for my beliefs.

On Nov. 8, voters will face a choice as stark as almost any in our history. The Democrats, with full control of our national government, are two years along in destroying our culture, economy and freedom. Some Utah candidates (including my opponent) are basing their campaigns on the idea that they can “get along better” with those actively seeking to fundamentally change our state and country. I gladly cede them that ground. That is why I am running as a Republican in District 16 and why I believe we must and will prevail next Tuesday.

Trevor Lee is the Republican nominee for Utah House District 16.

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