PARADISE – State Rep. Casey Snider (R-Paradise) is facing determined opposition from within his own party in the upcoming race for this District 5 seat in the Utah Legislature.
Given his previous legislative experience and position in the Utah House, most observers suggest the incumbent is likely to get the nod from Cache County Republicans when they meet for the 2026 nominating convention on April 11.
Since being appointed late in 2018, Snider has served nine years in the Legislature and is the youngest lawmaker ever to hold the position of House majority leader.
But GOP challenger Jim Atkinson has signaled his intent to collect voter signatures in the District 5 race. If the first-time candidate can succeed in collecting a thousand verified signatures, that will guarantee him a place on the primary ballot in June opposing Snider.
A resident of Avon, Atkinson is a self-employed heating and air conditioning contractor.
He has participated in the GOP caucus system for many years and has been both a Utah and Cache County delegate, with the avowed goal of supporting conservative principles and policies in Utah.
Snider also advocates for similar conservative principles, condemning the increasing influence of out-of-state groups not aligned with Utah’s community values.
“I believe that conservative principles – like free markets, the rule of law, religious liberty, limited government and fiscal responsibility – are what have made Cache County the place where we want to live, work and raise our families,” Snider says.
“Those same principles should guide our future,” he adds.
Along with other Republican lawmakers, Snider is one of the leaders of the Legislature’s effort to oppose judicial activism and government over-reach in the ongoing dispute over congressional district boundaries.
“Judges have overstepped their role on the new congressional maps,” Snider argues. “I will continue to fight for districts drawn by the people’s representatives, not activist judges.”
A volunteer firefighter and farmer in the southern portion of Cache Valley, Snider’s priorities as a legislator have also included safeguarding water rights in northern Utah.
“I will keep fighting to ensure that Cache Valley, not outside interests, decides how our water is managed,” he pledges. “I am also working to develop infrastructure plans that will make our water go further.”
The incumbent candidate’s campaign literature also lists cutting taxes, saving Utahns’ money and defending conservative values as among Snider’s other priorities.
The GOP primary election will be held on Tuesday, June 23.