RAGA Continues Investment in Weak Incumbent AGs

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, the Democratic Attorneys General Association (DAGA) released the following statement from DAGA Political Director Farah Melendez, Utah native, in response to the results at the Utah Party Convention this past weekend.

Statement from Farah Melendez, Political Director at the Democratic Attorneys General Association:

“Based on Saturday’s results, one thing is clear: Utah is ready to elect someone new as state Attorney General, and the energy coming out of the party conventions this weekend affirms that Utah is on the map for a Democratic pick-up this year. As the Republican Attorneys General Association continues to pour money into weak incumbents like Reyes, we are ready to fight to flip this seat blue and hold RAGA and Reyes accountable for failing the people of Utah. Voters want leaders who will protect their health care, hold special interests accountable, and stand up for the rule of law – and Reyes is doing none of those things.”

Additional Background:

Democratic Convention Saturday, April 25, 2020:

• Democrats showed extraordinary enthusiasm with 85% of delegates participating in the Convention – the highest rate of participation in history.
• Democratic candidate Greg Skordas won the nomination on the first ballot with overwhelming support: 96.6%.

Republican Convention Saturday, April 25, 2020:

• Republican incumbent Sean Reyes failed to secure the nomination, falling short of the 60% threshold required to get the Party nomination. In fact, Reyes did not even reach 50% support on the first ballot, which is troubling for a sitting office holder.
• Sean Reyes now will have to face David Leavitt in a primary battle for the Republican nomination for Utah Attorney General, which will be held on June 30^th.
• The question is whether the Republican Attorneys General Association will continue to stand by their troubled incumbent; RAGA had contributed at least $125,000 to Reyes’ reelection campaign through the last reporting period.