By a margin of 185 votes, Utah Democrats re-elected incumbent Diane Lewis (left) as their state party chair, at their 2023 organizing convention in Cedar City, besting challenge Jacob Lawson (right).
CEDAR CITY – Utah Democrats opted for age and experience over youth and enthusiasm during their state organizing convention in Cedar City on May 19 and 20.
Incumbent Diane Lewis was re-elected to her post as chair of the Utah Democratic Party, easily besting challenger Jacob Lawson of West Jordan.
In voting for the contested chair, Lewis polled 425 ballots versus 239 for Lawson.
“In my experience,” Lewis said of her victory, “I have learned that there are no silver bullets and real change only happens after you do the long, complex and deep organizing work.”
Lewis has served as Democrat Party chair for the past year. Her prior experience includes a stint as business manager for Laborers Local #295, representing workers in construction, hazardous waste remediation, health care, maintenance, food service, clerical, aviation and state/local governments.
“Here at the Utah Democratic Party,” she observed, “our team has spent the past 14 months starting that (organizing) process. I know that we’re on the verge of big things for 2024 and beyond.”
The defeated Lawson is currently a member of the Community Support Services Advisory Council for Salt Lake County.
In that role, Lawson said, he has actively worked to support critical issues facing the citizen of the Salt Lake Valley including homelessness, rape treatment, torture treatment, job programs and English-language programs.
Both candidates for the post of Democratic Party were former labor union organizers.
In the convention’s other contested race, Oscar Mata captured the post of party vice chair with 355 votes, compared to competitors Nicholas Mitchell with 289 votes and Daniel Osterstock with 12 votes.
In uncontested races, Democrats upheld Elizabeth Weight and Kathy Long as party secretary and treasurer respectively.
“The Utah Democratic Party is the face and voice of Democrats in the state of Utah,” according to party communication director Ben Anderson.
“We believe that Utahns deserve strong, competent leadership that puts the people and democracy first.”
The Utah Democratic Party’s state organizing convention was held in the Smith Student Center on the campus of Southern Utah University.