Welcome to the Party

(Unfortunately, It’s Political)

Photo Credit KUER

Believe it or not: There’s an election happening right now. On May 31, to be exact.

And if you’re thinking, “Wait, didn’t we just vote?” or “How is it still 2025 and already the longest year of my life?”, same.

But this one’s a little different. It’s not about candidates on your ballot (yet). It’s about who gets the keys to the engine room of the Utah Democratic Party, aka, who’s running the operation that’s supposed to help elect those candidates, raise money, support organizers, and not fumble the next decade of political opportunity.

Now listen, we know party politics isn’t everyone’s thing. Honestly, it’s not always our thing either. We’ve spent plenty of time rolling our eyes at both parties. But we’re also people who stubbornly, maybe foolishly, believe in building systems that work. And when we see even a chance to make things function better, for real people, we can’t help ourselves. We get involved.

We love to dare to dream. Not in a corny way. In a “what if we actually pulled this off” way.

So, while “party chair” doesn’t exactly scream blockbuster event, this election matters. A lot. And today we’re going to explain why, what’s at stake, and why we’re supporting Brian King for Chair.

Also, yes, we will talk about raccoons in the basement. Stay tuned.

(And yes, for the record: the Republicans are also holding a party chair election. More on that mess in a minute.)

Why We’re Weighing In

Now, if you’ve never thought about the inner workings of a political party or if you hear the word "caucus” and immediately start looking for an exit, you are not alone.

If you have been in the weeds of Utah Democratic politics, you may have heard our names before. And yeah, you might already have an opinion and are wondering why we are weighing in on this.

That’s okay. We’re not here for validation or permission.

We’re certainly not trying to run the party; we’re trying to make it work.

Because we need it to work. Desperately.

We started Elevate to help get Democratic candidates elected in Utah, full stop. We’ve worked with state parties across the country, and we understand the difference between the party itself and the broader ecosystem that supports it. The Democratic Party is one organization, but it’s not the whole infrastructure. In most states, it’s surrounded by other orgs, PACs, training programs, and campaign pros. In Utah, we just haven’t had that.

So we built some of it ourselves, not to replace the party, but to support it.

We’ve been doing the building. And we’d like the party to meet us there.

Some people think consultants are the reason nothing works. And honestly? We get it. There’s a long, complicated, sometimes deserved skepticism about political consultants and outside influence in party leadership.

Here’s the truth: we’re trying to build what’s been missing. We like the autonomy and freedom to do and say what we believe. If an incumbent isn’t pulling their weight, we can say something. That’s a lot harder for the party to do.

We built Elevate PAC and Elevate Strategies because that infrastructure didn’t really exist. We’ve helped elect candidates, flip seats, make state politics make sense to new voters, and train a generation of future leaders. We did that work outside of the party system, and we’re proud of that. It will very much stay that way.

Do we have strong opinions? Yes.

Do we have a track record of doing things differently and getting results? Also yes.

But let’s be clear: this isn’t about us.

It’s about the future of the party. We’re weighing in because we’ve seen what happens when the party is strong and what happens when it’s not. And right now, we need leadership that can both stabilize and scale. Fast.

We just want it to function for candidates, for voters, and for the future we’re trying to build. And we think Brian King is the best person to make that happen.

You don’t have to agree with us on everything. But if you care about building power in Utah, not letting Republicans walk all over us, this is an important one.

Why Does Any of This Matter Right Now?

First off: congratulations on making it this far through our soapbox. You clearly care, or you’re at least extremely curious. Either way, we appreciate you.

So, why does any of this matter?

Because when parties are weak, one of two things happens:

• You get chaotic, personality-driven politics where whoever yells the loudest wins (hi, MAGA movement).

• Or you get sleepy, bureaucratic politics, where nothing changes because nobody has the tools to change it.

Strong parties = strong democracy.
Weak parties = chaos, collapse, and people thinking Facebook comments count as organizing.

And right now, Utah is at a crossroads. The demographics are shifting. The Republican Party is eating itself alive on culture wars. And for the first time in a while, national donors are starting to notice us again.

If the Utah Democratic Party can step up, build real systems, and build real power, we can actually compete. Not just hope. Compete.

But if we don’t? We’ll be stuck watching another decade of "well, we tried" while the GOP passes more bills about banning rainbows, rewriting history, and picking fights with librarians.

Hard pass.

Which brings us to May 31: the election for State Party Chair and other leadership roles. Also known as the Democratic Convention. Also known as your chance to help us do this differently.

So… Who Runs This Thing?

Let’s talk structure. Because yes, the party has one. Technically.
Whether it's functioning the way it should is a whole other question.

Here’s how it’s supposed to work:

Every two years, Utah Democrats elect a State Party Chair. That Chair is responsible for:

• Fundraising

• Setting a strategy

• Hiring and managing staff

• Running meetings (Executive Committee, Central Committee, Conventions)

• Building the whole damn machine

They’re not a legislator (although they can be – in a lot of states, the party chair is an elected official). They’re not on your ballot. But they are the ones with their hand on the steering wheel or, in some cycles, clinging to the bumper while the car rolls into a ditch.

Now, that Chair is supposed to be supported by a small but mighty staff. The most important roles of the party staff are:

• Executive Director: Runs the day-to-day, manages the budget, works with candidates

• Communications Director: Helps shape public messaging and supports campaigns

• Data Director: Keeps voter file clean, supports targeting, and helps with field programs

These three roles are the bare minimum for a functioning state party.

You know we will always be honest with you. Right now, the Utah Democratic Party has one of them.

We are understaffed, underfunded, and underbuilt, in a critical moment where we should be doing the opposite. The infrastructure is thin. The voter file is a mess. There’s no full-time comms team. And that’s not any one person’s fault. But the most strategic thing the party could be doing (raising money and building out districts and a bench for 2026, 2028, and 2032) is sitting in limbo.

Wait, Isn’t There an Executive Committee?

Yes! Good eye, Robert’s Rules nerds.

The Executive Committee is made up of party officers, regional reps, caucus reps, and a few other folks. They meet monthly to help support and guide the Chair. There’s also the Central Committee, a larger body that meets quarterly and votes on things like the platform, budget, and rules.

There is literally a flow chart that explains how all this works. (We considered posting it but didn’t want to scare you off.)

Here’s the real point: the party does have structure. But structure means nothing if it’s empty, disconnected, completely overwhelmed, or too busy fighting with itself.

The next Chair isn’t inheriting a turnkey operation. They’re inheriting a house with no plumbing, no roof, and a raccoon living in the basement.

They will need to:

• Hire staff immediately

• Fundraise just to get back to functional

• Build trust inside and outside the party

• And bring actual competence to a job that has way too often been seen as ceremonial, chaotic, or both

And that’s why this year’s election for Party Chair matters more than it has in a long, long time.

Why Now Is Different

We are at a hinge point, locally, nationally, and inside the party itself. Here’s what makes this year different:

• The DNC is investing again: Every state party gets $17,500/month through 2028. But only if they have the staff and leadership to use it effectively.

• New maps are coming: The Utah Supreme Court just ruled that the GOP’s gerrymander violated the Constitution. Competitive districts are on the way, maybe as soon as 2026. In 2032, we are likely to get an additional seat, bringing our delegation to 5 members.

• Utah’s demographics are shifting: We’re the youngest and fastest-growing state in the country. And the cracks in GOP dominance are starting to show, especially among young LDS voters.

• The party has no Executive Director or Comms Director: That’s not a footnote, it’s a five-alarm fire.

We need someone who can stabilize the operation and scale it. Someone who can fundraise and lead. Someone who can see the next two years as a once-in-a-generation opportunity.

Why Brian King

Brian King knows what this job actually requires, and he’s not guessing.

He’s not here to boost his brand. He’s not chasing a new title. He’s not trying to figure it out as he goes. He’s running because he understands exactly what’s at stake, and he knows what it takes to build something real.

Here’s what makes him the right person for this moment:

• He’s led through chaos. Brian served as House Minority Leader through some of the most extreme and challenging legislative sessions we’ve seen. He knows how to hold the line, push the message, and build coalitions, even when outnumbered.

• He’s run a statewide campaign. He’s been in the arena. He knows how hard it is to run in Utah and how lonely it can be when you don’t have real support. That empathy matters. A lot.

• He’s built trust across the state. From rural Democrats to longtime party insiders to brand-new organizers, Brian has shown up, listened, and earned credibility without ego. That’s rare.

•  He knows how to fundraise. This job is like 80% fundraising. The party can’t function without it. Brian doesn’t just know that, he’s already doing it.

• He’s ready to hire and lead a real team. Brian isn’t trying to DIY this job. He’s ready to bring in the right people and build the infrastructure that’s been missing for years.

• He sees the big picture. This isn’t just about 2026. It’s about redistricting. It’s about rebuilding. It’s about laying the foundation for a decade of Democratic gains, not just praying for a one-cycle miracle.

Brian is ready, serious, and deeply aligned with what this job actually is: a hard, often thankless leadership role that only works if you care more about the mission than the spotlight.

We’re not interested in performative politics. We want a builder. And Brian is the builder we trust.

You can learn more for yourself on his website or by reaching out to him on the website.

What Becomes Possible If We Get It Right

Let’s imagine what a functioning party could do in Utah.

If we have the right Chair, the right plan, and the right team, here’s what’s on the table:

• Competitive districts under new maps – Not just one or two surprise seats, but full slates of viable races where Democrats can actually win. And national groups will finally take us seriously.

• A real Democratic bench in every corner of the state – Mayors. School board members. County commissioners. State Legislative candidates. We stop scrambling every election and start building a deep bench of leaders.

• A functioning voter file and strong data team – No more broken lists, bad phone numbers, or reinventing the wheel every cycle. Candidates get the data and tools they need, without begging.

• Outside investment from the DNC and national partners – We’ve seen what happens when Utah gets national attention: more organizing, more ads, more turnout. But that only comes if we’re ready to receive it.

• A clear, recognizable Democratic brand that Utahns can trust – One that says: we're not here to turn Utah into California. We're here to make sure your kids have a future, your vote counts, and your government works for you.

It’s all possible. But only if we treat this moment like it matters and elect leadership that’s ready to build something real.

Meanwhile… Over on the Other Side

As an aside: the Utah GOP is also holding a leadership election this month. It’s… a different vibe. Their two candidates:

• Robert Axson, the current Chair, who presided over the Republican presidential caucus disaster last year, one so chaotic it disenfranchised disabled voters and triggered national headlines.

• And Phil Lyman, a former lawmaker who was pardoned by Trump for leading an illegal ATV ride through protected Native land. After losing the GOP primary for governor, he sued his own party for not backing his write-in campaign. Now he wants to lead it.

Naturally, Trump jumped in with a “Complete and Total Endorsement” for Axson (honestly, a shocker), calling him “FANTASTIC” and claiming he’ll “never let you down.”

So while we’re over here trying to build data systems, recruit candidates, and prepare for redistricting… the GOP is having a MAGA family feud over whether to double down on chaos now, or later.

Let’s not sit this one out.

What You Can Do

This isn’t a spectator sport. If you want a party that actually works, this is your moment.

Here’s how you can help:

• Become a delegate by Friday, May 16. If you’re not already a state delegate, we can help you get connected. This vote matters and it’s one of the few direct levers of power in party politics.

  • If you live outside of Salt Lake, Iron, or San Juan Counties, there are still delegate vacancies. You can see here on Brian’s website how to become a delegate.

• Show up to the State Convention on May 31. In Ogden or online. Make your voice heard. Don’t let this decision happen without you.

• Talk to your fellow Democrats. Share this post. Text your friends. Ask your neighbors who they’re supporting. (Seriously. Just ask.)

We’re backing Brian King because he’s not here to play pretend. He’s here to build.

We have a shot at something real. Something better. Let’s not miss it.

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