Utah’s Big Political Shake-Up
Can It Go Purple?
I’m excited – one of my favorite podcasts State Street by KUER just dropped a new episode (Here’s the written article if you prefer a little reading)! This episode’s even more exciting because I was a guest! We got into the nitty-gritty on whether Utah could become politically competitive, and a big question came up as I shared our approach at Elevate Strategies: Can Utah really go purple? With the state’s population projected to hit 6 million by 2050 and huge changes on the horizon, it’s not just wishful thinking.
Utah’s growth is younger, more diverse, and more open to change than ever before, which might finally create room for a functioning two-party system. Some might say, “Utah will never swing from red!” But with the right approach—and a lot of hard work—we think the state’s single-party grip could loosen. And honestly, why wouldn’t it? If Colorado can turn blue, why can’t Utah go purple?
Why I Believe Utah Is Ready for Change
For years, Utah’s GOP dominance has been nearly unbreakable. But working alongside candidates and activists here, I’m seeing some cracks. Utah has the youngest and fastest-growing population in the U.S., and there’s a real cultural shift toward openness and involvement. That’s where our work at Elevate Strategies comes in. We’re not pushing a party line; we’re supporting candidates who genuinely connect with their communities, understand Utah values, and inspire change from the ground up.
Utah’s single media market is another edge: one ad buy can reach almost everyone statewide. When combined with new residents bringing fresh perspectives, it creates a unique chance to change the landscape. At Elevate, we’re training candidates from their own communities, recruiting from the inside out, and focusing on real contenders—not the “sacrificial lambs” Utah Democrats have sometimes been called. Our deep relational organizing resonates in Utah’s community-oriented culture—think of it as grassroots organizing that’s as effective as Utah’s famous multi-level marketing networks.
Taking a Page from Colorado’s Playbook
During the podcast, Colorado naturally came up. Colorado faced a similar political landscape years back, shifting from a deep-red state to a reliably blue one over time. I’ve looked at how Democrats in Colorado developed a winning approach, largely through a “shadow party” of non-profits and coalitions in 2004 that focused on grassroots organizing. They didn’t rely solely on money—they built networks to reach voters and bring in candidates who really resonated with their communities.
What struck me most was how Colorado’s GOP fractured, with Republicans shifting sharply right, alienating moderate voters and opening space for Democrats. Utah’s GOP feels like it’s on the edge of a similar split, with three distinct camps: MAGA Republicans, traditional conservatives, and a more persuadable middle ground. The divide has only grown this year, with recent gubernatorial polling showing Phil Lyman’s far-right write-in campaign cutting into Spencer Cox’s support—Cox is polling at just 43%, with Lyman at 15%! This split within Utah’s GOP gives us a real chance to connect with moderate and persuadable voters looking for balance—a “coalition of the willing.”
What Utah Can Learn from Colorado
Utah isn’t a carbon copy of Colorado, but we can learn from their playbook. Here’s how we’re putting those lessons to work at Elevate:
Targeted Infrastructure: Like Colorado’s coalition of non-profits, we’re building a support system that goes beyond party politics. We’re investing in districts where real opportunities exist, supporting candidates who are a good match for their communities, and putting our resources where they’ll have the biggest impact.
Candidate Quality Matters: Former Colorado legislator Rob Whitmer joined Saige and Sean after me on the podcast, where he emphasized that Colorado’s shift was possible because of candidates who resonated with local values. When we recruit candidates, our goal isn’t to find politically active people to run for office, we’re looking specifically for people with deep roots in their communities.
Leveraging GOP Divisions: Utah’s fractured GOP mirrors Colorado’s at the time of its shift. With MAGA factions, traditional conservatives, and more moderate Republicans all pulling in different directions, we have a prime opportunity to offer voters an alternative that’s focused on community, moderation, and genuine representation.
A Long-Term Game Plan: One of the most important takeaways from the podcast was that we can’t expect Utah to change overnight. This isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. We’re not trying to turn Utah blue in one or two cycles. And we’re also not waiting around for demographics to change themselves. Instead, we’re committed to making each election cycle a bit more competitive and a little more balanced.
So, When Can We Expect a Purple Utah?
We’re not just looking to make Utah more competitive; we’re aiming for a truly balanced landscape where Democrats can make gains and new voices emerge. While turning Utah purple is the next big step, we’re ultimately working toward a blue Utah. We’re building a coalition that can attract moderate Republicans, independents, and persuadable voters for real competition. This isn’t about abandoning Utah’s values but expanding the political spectrum to better represent them.
Colorado’s experience shows that real change takes time, patience, and a commitment to candidates who resonate with their communities. We’re following a roadmap focused on infrastructure, recruiting the right people, and harnessing Utah’s culture of community and trust. And it’s paying off. With a young, fast-growing population and GOP divisions, we see meaningful change on the horizon.
This isn’t just a dream. It’s a carefully crafted, long-term strategy to make Utah blue—but it starts with going purple. Each election cycle brings us closer, proving that Utah is ready for a new kind of political landscape.
The next few years are critical in determining that future, and Elevate Strategies is here to build that competitive pathway. It’s not a matter of “if” Utah will turn purple, it's a matter of “when”. If we want to see that “when” sooner than later, we need your help. Turning Utah purple will require a lot of hard work and resources. Can we count on you to contribute monthly to Elevate PAC to garner the funds needed to help Utah follow Colorado's shift?
While you’re at it, consider giving to some great candidates here.
Elevate PAC is working to eliminate single-party control at all levels of our state’s government by elevating inspirational leaders, activating the new Utah majority, and centering our shared values and common purpose.
Our blueprint is to recruit and train candidates, invest early, support strategically, and build relationships.
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