LOGAN – In what they are calling a historic recruitment effort, the Utah Democratic Party reports that it will field candidates in 90 percent of state races in the upcoming 2026 election.
“Democrats are running in urban districts, suburban communities, rural areas and multi-county districts,” according to Brian King, the chair of the Utah Democratic Party.
“We are present where we have been historically under-represented and even uncontested (in the past),” he added, “proving that Utah Democrats are organized, competitive and building for the future.”
Thanks to an unprecedented recruitment effort by Democratic leadership, party candidates are now actively competing for 88 of 98 statewide offices up for grab in the next round of balloting.
In the recent filing period for political hopefuls that closed on Jan. 8, the Democrats fielded candidates in 14 of 15 races in the Utah Senate, in 66 of 75 races in the state House of Representatives and all eight of eight races for the State Board of Education.
“This is in addition to dozens of Democrats stepping up to run in county races across the state …” explained Josh Warburton, the chair of the party’s concerted effort to recruit candidates up the down the ticket. “This filing period shows what happens when a party is clear about its priorities and committed to showing up everywhere.”
Here in Cache County, for example, incumbent state lawmaker Rep. Mike Peterson (R-North Logan) will face off against Democratic challenger Barbara Haggerty to retain his District 2 seat in the Utah House of Representatives.
In competition for the District 3 seat in the Utah House will be incumbent Rep. Jason Thompson (R-River Heights), Ben Shaw of the Utah Forward Party and Patrick Belmont, an unaffiliated candidate.
In the southern portion of Cache County, incumbent Rep. Casey Snider (R-Paradise) will have to fend off challenges from fellow Republican Jim Atkinson as well as Democrat Kendra Penry.
Democrats also turned out as challengers in local county races.
In the race for the Logan District 3 seat on the Cache County Council, incumbent Council Chair Sandi Goodlander will complete with Democrat Mark Nafziger.
Democrat Lizette Villegas will also challenge incumbent council member, Mark R. Hurd, for the seat on the Cache County Council representing the Northeast 5 District of Logan.
Incumbent Cache County Council member Kathryn Beus, who now represents the Southeast District 7, is facing challenges from Republican Kristy Theurer, Brianne Wheelwright of the Democratic Party and Peter Thatcher of the Constitution Party.
In the race for the Logan District 2 seat on the Cache County Council, the victor in a GOP special election on Jan. 17 – either JoAnn Bennett or Jeffrey Wallentine — will then face Democrat Allison Goulais in the November balloting.
“Utahns want leaders who take today’s challenges seriously and are willing to plan for the future,” Warburton said. “This slate (of candidates) reflects that commitment.”
The party’s organization insist that Democrats are not just participating, but also leading, competing and shaping the future of Utah.
“By running candidates in nearly every district,” according to Kaitlin Tunstall, the Utah Democrats’ communication director, “the party has expanded its bench, strengthened its statewide organization and positioned itself for success in both the immediate and long-term future.”