Utah GOP chair candidates debate SB 54, caucus system and fundraising at Washington County forum

At a Washington County Republican Women forum, two contenders for chair of the Utah Republican Party debated how the party should run caucuses and primaries, handle nomination petitions and raise money to support convention winners.

Haley Captain, president of the Washington County Republican Women, opened the evening and told attendees, “our motto is, be involved, be informed, and be united,” and introduced the candidate forum and ground rules for questions.

Why it matters: The chair controls party operations that affect who appears on Utah ballots and how precincts and delegates organize. Candidates focused on preserving the caucus‑convention system while pushing for clearer signature review and more grassroots fundraising — issues that delegates said will shape the party’s strategy at the upcoming state convention and in future primaries.

Both candidates framed the dispute as a fight over whether party decisions are driven from the grassroots or by money and outside processes. Rob (candidate for Utah Republican Party chair) told the audience, “There are over 950,000 Utahns who declare themselves members of the Republican party,” and argued the party must organize precincts and delegates to ensure the caucus system remains effective. He described a program of training, county coordination and summer organizing aimed at strengthening precinct chairs and preparing for municipal elections that…